Cheesy Italian Monkey Bread

Cheesy Italian Monkey Bread is savory, cheesy and hearty.  Tastes like pizza.  Easy to make with simple ingredients.

If desired, add crumbled/cooked ground beef or Italian sausage.

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The unique look of this side dish makes a pleasant presentation.  Serve as a side or main dish.

Pairs well with lasagna, spaghetti and salads. 

DISCLAIMER (NOT SPONSORED)

I have not been paid to endorse the pictured products.  Delighted to share the ingredients I used to make this delicious recipe.  

This recipe is my creative variation of Cheesy Herb Monkey Bread made by Pillsbury.com.

Helpful Tips For Beginners:  How To Read & Follow Any Recipe

Reading a recipe is an important life skill that  requires knowing how to read a recipe’s ingredients, follow the instructions, prep ingredients, and what type of equipment to use. 

The following tips will help beginners or experienced cooks use a recipe to create a delicious dish. 

Start with clean hands and organized kitchen.  Wash hands thoroughly.  Make sure kitchen and countertops are clean before making a recipe.

Create a relaxing environment.  Play favorite music while in the kitchen.  I love listening to classical or gospel music. 

Read the entire recipe from start to finish.  Visualize doing each step which will help you follow each step. 

If you see ingredient that you and your family don’t use for whatever reason, try a substitute or omit the ingredient.

Pay attention to the order in which ingredients are prepped.  For example, 1 cup of  chopped pecans is not the same as walnuts, chopped (measure whole walnuts and then chop).  

Know the assumptions.  For example, when my recipe calls for “sugar,” use granulated sugar.  If brown sugar is an ingredient, it will be written that way in the recipe.  

Figure out the timing. Check the listed “prep time” and “total time” to be sure you have enough time to complete the recipe.

Look for hints, such as the words “meanwhile” or “at the same time,” which indicate two or more steps can happen simultaneously.  

Watch Recipe Videos.    If you’re a visual learner (like me), watch recipe videos.  Perfect for when you’re learning a new skill or just want to see how a recipe is made.    

Mise en place is a super time saver. This French cooking term translates as “putting in place.”   It means prepping/measuring ingredients and chopping food before you start cooking. It’s the perfect way to get organized, use each ingredient and complete each step.  Nothing is overlooked.

Organize your tools and kitchen equipment.  Mise en place isn’t just for ingredients.   Before starting, make sure you have parchment paper, aluminum foil, measuring cups, measuring spoons, the right pans, mixing bowls, and other equipment.

Make notes in your recipe. Note any special prep instructions and highlight cooking times.  Make note of ingredients omitted,  favorite substitutions and creative twists.   The notes will be helpful the next time you make this recipe. 

Enjoy!

Print Recipe

Cheesy Italian Monkey Bread

Cheesy Italian Monkey Bread is savory, cheesy and hearty.  Tastes like pizza.  Easy to make with simple ingredients. Serve as a side or main dish. Original recipe by Pillsbury.com. Adjusted recipe and photography by Beverly Davis for CornbreadMillionaire.com.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time55 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 40 servings

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 cans (10.2 oz each) biscuits Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Layers refrigerated Original biscuits
• 2-1/2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack Colby Cheese I used shredded cheddar cheese.
• 2 cup cooked ground beef, crumbled or cooked/crumbled Italian sausage
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Generously grease a12-cup bundt pan with shortening or generously spray with vegetable oil cooking spray.
• In small bowl, combine melted butter, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Set aside.
• Remove 5 biscuits from each can (10 biscuits total).
• Cut each biscuit into fourths (will have 40 pieces). Coat 20 biscuit pieces with melted butter mixture. Arrange in single layer along bottom of greased bundt pan. Sprinkle with 1 cup of cooked/crumbled ground beef (or Italian sausage).
• Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheese over top of dough.
• Coat remaining 20 pieces of dough in the melted butter mixture. Arrange over top of shredded cheese in bundt pan. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of cooked/crumbled ground beef (or Italian sausage). Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes. To loosen, run a rubber spatula around edge of pan. DO NOT USE use a metal knife because it will scratch the bundt pan.
• Place heatproof plate upside down over pan. Hold plate and pan firmly together, then flip over to invert Cheesy Herb Monkey Bread on the serving plate.
• Sprinkle top with grated Parmesan Cheese. This step is optional.
• Pull apart and serve. Cut with a pizza cutter if preferred.