Description
This Italian Crescent Casserole is a comforting and cheesy main course perfect for family dinners. Featuring a savory blend of ground beef, Italian sausage or ground beef with pasta sauce, layered over a buttery crescent roll crust and generously topped with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, it bakes to golden perfection. Easy to prepare and freezer-friendly, this casserole combines classic Italian-American flavors into a simple yet satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 cup pasta sauce or marinara
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dough and Cheese Mixture
- 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 oz)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped parsley or basil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8 or 9-inch square baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Meat Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Mix Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, combine the ricotta (or cottage cheese), beaten egg, and grated Parmesan cheese until well blended.
- Prepare Crescent Roll Crust: Unroll the crescent dough and press it into the bottom and up the sides of the greased baking dish, forming a crust. Press the seams together to seal the dough.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the crescent dough crust. Layer the cooked meat mixture on top, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the surface.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crescent dough turns golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- Add chopped spinach or sautéed mushrooms to the meat mixture for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Use your favorite spaghetti sauce varieties such as marinara, tomato basil, or meat sauce to customize taste.
- This dish is great for leftovers and can be frozen for convenient future meals.
