Description
Comfort meets convenience in this Italian Crescent Casserole, blending hearty ground beef with creamy cheeses and flaky crescent rolls. Cheese lovers and busy home cooks will savor this simple, satisfying meal that brings Italian-inspired flavors to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Cheese:
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 can (8 ounces / 226 grams) crescent roll dough
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 375F (190C) and lightly coat an 8×8 or 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef with diced onions until meat is fully cooked and onions are translucent. Drain excess fat.
- Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture. Pour in tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Carefully spread crescent dough across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, pressing to cover the surface and slightly up the sides.
- Distribute half of the mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough base.
- Spread the seasoned beef mixture uniformly across the cheese layer.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the beef.
- Combine melted butter with garlic powder and chopped parsley. Brush this mixture along the exposed crescent dough edges.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and cheese becomes melted and bubbly.
- Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into portions. Serve alongside a fresh salad or garlic bread.
Notes
- Make the dish gluten-free by using gluten-free crescent roll dough or a homemade alternative like almond flour pastry.
- Reduce fat content by choosing lean ground beef or substituting with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.
- Enhance vegetable intake by adding sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the beef mixture for extra nutrition and flavor depth.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting Italian seasoning or adding red pepper flakes for those who enjoy a bit more heat in their meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 376 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg