Meatball Monkey Bread

I'm not sure I mentioned it before, but I've been without an oven for the past couple of weeks so I've been dutch oven cooking a lot.  I have several recipes to share so I'll get to them as soon as I can.  Last night's meal was a really fun one for my kiddos.  They love when I make something with a surprise inside.  Add to it the word "monkey" in the title and they were hooked.  They spent all of dinner acting like monkeys, which since it was nice enough to eat outside, was okay.

These rolls are filled with meatballs, cheese and pepperoni, then dipped in marinara sauce.  Perfect dutch oven food.  I used homemade bread dough, but you could also use frozen bread or roll dough.

Meatball Monkey Bread
12" dutch oven

For the dough:

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 Tbs. instant yeast
2 Tbs. sugar
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl or electric mixer and knead for 3 minutes.  Cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes.

For the filling:

1 pkg. frozen meatballs (or about 35 homemade meatballs)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Sliced pepperoni

For the topping:

3 Tbs. melted butter
Garlic bread seasoning (I used Johnny's Garlic Bread Seasoning from Costco or you could use this homemade one.)

After the dough has risen, divide it into balls about the size of a walnut.  Flatten the dough on a well floured surface.  Put the cheese, pepperoni and meatball on the dough.  Fold up the edges of the dough to completely seal the meatball and cheese inside.  Place inside an oiled dutch oven.  Brush the melted butter over the rolls and sprinkle with garlic seasoning.

Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or utnil golden brown. Use 1 1/2 rings + a couple of coals on top and 1 ring on the bottom.  Makes about 35 rolls.

Source:  An original recipe