French Bread Pizza Burgers

1 large loaf (1 pound) French bread
1 lb extra lean ground beef or ground round
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
3 Tbsp finely chopped onion
1 can (4 oz.) mushroom stems and pieces, drained and chopped
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 can (2 1/4 oz.) sliced ripe olives, drained
8 slices (8 ounces) mozzarella cheese
2 roma or plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
Additional pizza sauce for dipping (optional)

Cut French bread in half lengthwise. Set aside. In mixing bowl, combine
beef, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, pepper, onion, mushrooms and the 1/2
cup pizza sauce Divide meat mixture in half and spread over each length
of French bread. Be careful to spread meat right up to crusts to prevent
bread from burning under broiler. Place on broiling pan and broil 6 inches
from heat; meat should be browned and completely cooked. Test doneness
with fork to make sure beef is cooked through to top of bread. Return to
broiler if any pink remains. Total cooking time will be about 5 to 8
minutes. Sprinkle meat with olives. Cut squares of cheese in half to form
triangles and arrange decoratively over top of olives. Arrange tomato
slices over cheese. Place loaves back under broiler until cheese melts and
lightly browns, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from broiler and sprinkle
with fresh basil. Cut each loaf into 4 pieces for individual sandwiches or
2-inch slices for appetizers. Serve with additional pizza sauce, if
desired. Makes about 8 servings

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