Italian Crescent Casserole

Indulge in the comforting flavors of Italian cuisine with this delicious Italian Crescent Casserole. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a cozy family meal, this easy-to-make casserole combines layers of savory ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese, all encased in a flaky crescent roll crust.

With just a handful of simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up this flavorful dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table. Whether you’re craving classic comfort food or looking for a crowd-pleasing dinner option, this Italian Crescent Casserole is sure to become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Quick and Easy: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Family-Friendly: The classic combination of ground beef, tomato sauce, and cheese is a hit with both kids and adults, making it a crowd-pleaser for family dinners or gatherings.

Comfort Food Appeal: There’s something inherently comforting about a warm, cheesy casserole, and this dish delivers on that front. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for chilly evenings.

Versatile: While the recipe calls for ground beef, you can easily customize it with your favorite protein, such as ground turkey or Italian sausage. You can also add extra veggies or spices to suit your taste preferences.

Flavorful Layers: Each bite of this casserole offers a delicious combination of flavors and textures, from the flaky crescent roll crust to the savory beef filling and gooey melted cheese on top.

Budget-Friendly: With affordable ingredients like ground beef, canned tomato sauce, and crescent rolls, this recipe won’t break the bank, making it a great option for feeding a family on a budget.

Minimal Cleanup: Since it’s baked in a single dish, cleanup is a breeze, leaving you with more time to enjoy your meal and less time spent washing dishes.

Key Ingredients:

Crescent Rolls: These flaky, buttery rolls serve as the base and crust of the casserole, providing a delicious and convenient foundation for the dish.

Lean Ground Beef: The protein-rich star of the casserole, lean ground beef adds heartiness and flavor to the dish, making it satisfying and filling.

Chopped Onion: Providing a savory and aromatic base, chopped onion adds depth of flavor to the ground beef mixture, enhancing the overall taste of the casserole.

Tomato Pasta Sauce: A classic Italian ingredient, tomato pasta sauce brings rich, tangy flavor to the dish, creating a saucy and flavorful filling for the casserole.

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Melty, gooey, and irresistible, shredded mozzarella cheese adds a creamy texture and delicious cheesiness to the casserole, making it indulgent and satisfying.

Grated Parmesan Cheese: With its nutty and savory flavor, grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty kick and depth of flavor to the casserole, enhancing its overall taste profile.

How to make Italian Crescent Casserole

Ingredients:

1 package of Crescent Rolls

1 pound of lean ground beef

¼ cup of chopped onion

1 cup of tomato pasta sauce

1½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese

¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a frying pan cook the ground beef and chopped onion until they turn brown; remove any grease.

Add the tomato pasta sauce. Let it simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens.

Arrange the crescent roll triangles, in a 9″ pie plate to form the crust.

Fill the crust with the beef mixture and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.

Fold over the tips of the crescent rolls. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Place it in your preheated oven for around 18 to 20 minutes until it becomes brown.

Allow the casserole to cool down for 5 minutes before serving and savoring!

Notes:

Gluten-Free Crescent Rolls: To make Gluten Free Crescent Rolls you can find gluten free crescent roll dough, at specialty stores or online. Some brands offer gluten free options that work perfectly for creating the crust in this recipe.

Gluten-Free Tomato Pasta Sauce: When choosing a Tomato Pasta Sauce make sure to check the label and ensure it is gluten free. Some sauces may contain gluten as a thickening agent or for flavoring. Alternatively you can make your own pasta sauce using gluten free ingredients.

Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: If your recipe involves any flour for dusting or rolling out of the dough be sure to use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for these steps.

Preparation Convenience: This recipe is simple to prepare, requiring basic cooking techniques and minimal ingredients, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you’re short on time.

Versatile Ingredients: The use of common ingredients like ground beef, onion, tomato pasta sauce, and cheese makes this casserole adaptable to personal preferences and easy to customize with additional vegetables or seasoning.

Flavorful Base: Browning the ground beef with chopped onion and simmering it in tomato pasta sauce creates a flavorful and savory base for the casserole, ensuring each bite is packed with deliciousness.

Cheesy Goodness: The combination of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese adds a creamy, gooey texture and rich flavor to the casserole, making it irresistibly cheesy and indulgent.

Convenient Crescent Roll Crust: Using crescent roll dough as the crust not only simplifies the preparation process but also adds a buttery, flaky texture to the casserole, elevating its overall taste and presentation.

Baking Instructions: Baking the casserole in a preheated oven until golden brown ensures that the crescent roll crust is cooked through and crispy while allowing the flavors of the filling to meld together.

Resting Period: Allowing the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving helps it set and allows the flavors to develop further, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal for everyone to enjoy.

Nutrition Information:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of ground meat instead of beef?

Yes, you can substitute lean ground turkey or chicken for the beef if preferred.

Can I use homemade tomato sauce instead of store-bought pasta sauce?

Absolutely, homemade tomato sauce can be used. Just make sure it’s thickened to a similar consistency.

Can I add other vegetables to this casserole?

Certainly! Feel free to add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to enhance the flavor and nutritional value.

How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

You can replace the ground beef with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu or vegetarian ground “meat.”

Can I prepare this casserole in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake.

Just remember to adjust the baking time accordingly.

Can I freeze leftovers of this casserole?

Absolutely! This casserole freezes well.

Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.

It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes, you can experiment with different cheeses according to your preference.

Mozzarella and parmesan work well in this recipe, but you can also try cheddar, provolone, or a blend of cheeses.

Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried basil?

Of course! Fresh basil can add a vibrant flavor to the dish.

Just chop it finely and add it to the beef mixture during cooking.

Can I make this recipe without the crescent rolls?

Yes, you can omit the crescent rolls if you prefer.

Just layer the beef mixture and cheese directly into the baking dish.

Can I add extra spices or seasonings to the beef mixture?

Absolutely! Feel free to customize the flavor by adding your favorite herbs and spices such as Italian seasoning, oregano, or red pepper flakes for some heat.

Adjust according to your taste preferences.