Description
Italian Crescent Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines savory cooked ground beef with fragrant basil and garlic tomato pasta sauce, creamy Italian cheese blend, and flaky crescent roll dough baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a quick family dinner, this casserole offers comforting flavors wrapped in a buttery crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
- 1 cup basil and garlic tomato pasta sauce (from a 16-oz jar)
Dough and Cheese
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (6 oz)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the beef mixture: In a 10-inch skillet, combine the cooked and drained ground beef with the basil and garlic tomato pasta sauce. Heat this mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a boil.
- Arrange the crescent dough: Separate the crescent roll dough into 8 triangles. Place them in an ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate in a spoke pattern, with the narrow tips overlapping the rim of the plate by about 3 inches. Press the dough on the sides and bottom to form a crust. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Italian cheese over the crust.
- Add filling and fold dough: Spoon the hot beef and pasta sauce mixture evenly over the cheese layer. Bring the tips of the crescent dough over the filling to meet in the center without overlapping. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and the dried basil leaves over the top.
- Bake the casserole: Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Ensure the ground beef is fully cooked and drained to prevent excess grease in the casserole.
- If you prefer, substitute the Italian cheese blend with mozzarella and Parmesan for a different flavor profile.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing to allow the filling to set.
- Use a glass pie plate as recommended to ensure even baking and easy cleanup.
