Italian Crescent Casserole

Italian Crescent Casserole

Introduction

This Italian Crescent Casserole is a clever and crowd-pleasing way to turn everyday ingredients into a comforting, “deep-dish” Italian-style meal. With a buttery crescent roll crust, hearty meat sauce, and layers of melted Italian cheese, it’s both beautiful and delicious. The starburst-style crescent topping makes it look impressive, while the cheese layer on the bottom helps keep the crust perfectly crisp. It’s an easy dinner idea that feels special enough for guests but simple enough for a busy weeknight.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained

• 1 cup Three Cheese pasta sauce

• 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

• 1½ cups shredded Italian cheese blend, divided

• ¼ teaspoon dried basil leaves

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce
In a skillet over medium-high heat, combine the cooked ground beef and pasta sauce. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil. Once heated through and bubbling, remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: Create the Crescent Crust
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into 8 triangles. Arrange the triangles in an ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate in a spoke pattern, with the wide ends covering the bottom and sides of the dish and the pointed tips hanging about 3 inches over the edge. Press the seams together to seal.

Step 3: Add the Filling
Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded Italian cheese blend evenly over the bottom of the crust. Spoon the warm meat sauce on top of the cheese. Fold the dough tips up and over the filling toward the center, letting them meet in the middle without overlapping too much.

Step 4: Top and Bake
Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese over the top and finish with dried basil. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the crescent crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Conclusion

Italian Crescent Casserole is the kind of recipe that looks fancy but comes together with minimal effort. The flaky crescent crust, savory meat sauce, and gooey cheese make every bite comforting and satisfying. Whether you’re feeding the family or serving guests, this easy casserole is sure to be a hit—and it’s one you’ll find yourself making again and again.