Italian Crescent Casserole
Ingredients:
– 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 1 garlic clove, minced
– 1 jar (24 oz or 680 g) marinara or spaghetti sauce
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 can (8 oz or 240 g) refrigerated crescent rolls
– 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 cup (240 g) ricotta or cottage cheese
– Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Cook the Meat Mixture:**
– In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
– Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
– Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for a few minutes, then remove from heat.
3. **Prepare the Crescent Roll Crust:**
– Unroll the crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom and up the sides of a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, sealing the perforations. The dough should cover the entire bottom of the dish.
4. **Layer the Casserole:**
– Spread the ricotta or cottage cheese evenly over the crescent roll dough.
– Spoon the meat sauce mixture over the cheese layer.
– Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the sauce.
– Finally, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the mozzarella.
5. **Bake the Casserole:**
– Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the crescent roll crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. **Garnish and Serve:**
– Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
– Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired.
– Slice and serve warm.
Tips:
– **Customization:** You can add other ingredients like sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives to the meat sauce for extra flavor.
– **Make Ahead:** This casserole can be assembled in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s been chilled.
Enjoy!
This Italian Crescent Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The buttery crescent roll crust pairs wonderfully with the savory meat sauce and gooey cheese, making it a family favorite!