Description
Crescent casserole brings classic Italian comfort right to your dinner table with layers of melty cheese and hearty flavors that speak straight to your soul. Baked golden and bubbling, this easy weeknight meal wraps warm, satisfying goodness into one simple dish your family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 (8 oz) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnishes and Finishing:
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Brown 1 pound ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until no pink remains. Carefully drain excess fat from the pan.
- Mix 8 ounces tomato sauce with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper into the beef. Simmer the mixture for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer the seasoned beef to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer across the bottom.
- Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese completely over the beef mixture, covering every inch.
- Carefully unroll the 8-ounce crescent roll dough across the top, pressing seams together to create a seamless sheet that covers the entire casserole.
- Beat 1 egg yolk and brush it across the dough’s surface. Dust 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 22 minutes until the dough turns golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and rest for 8 minutes. Chop fresh parsley and sprinkle over the top before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative to create a lighter or vegetarian version of this casserole.
- Use reduced-fat cheese and low-sodium tomato sauce to make the dish more heart-healthy without sacrificing flavor.
- When stretching the crescent dough, work gently to prevent tearing and ensure complete coverage of the beef mixture.
- For extra flavor, add dried herbs like basil or oregano to the beef mixture, or sprinkle some red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 454 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 643 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg