Italian Crescent Casserole

This Italian crescent casserole is a cozy, family-friendly dish that turns simple ingredients into a warm, cheesy, savory dinner. Crescent rolls form a soft, golden crust that holds a hearty beef-and-pasta-sauce filling, topped with melty Italian cheese. It’s quick enough for busy weeknights and delicious enough to impress a crowd—plus, it’s endlessly customizable with your favorite sauces or seasonings.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
• 1 cup Three Cheese pasta sauce
• 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (6 oz)
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a skillet, mix cooked beef and pasta sauce; heat to a boil over medium-high, stirring occasionally.
3. Separate crescent dough into 8 triangles.
4. Arrange triangles in a 9-inch glass pie plate in a spoke pattern, with narrow tips extending about 3 inches over the rim.
5. Press dough into the bottom and sides to form a crust.
6. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over the crust.
7. Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the cheese.
8. Bring the dough tips over the filling to meet in the center (do not overlap).
9. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and basil.
10. Bake 20 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is melted.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: ~360 kcal | Servings: 6

Tips

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder or Italian seasoning to the beef mixture.
• Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before slicing so the filling sets.

FAQ

Can I use a different sauce?
Yes—marinara, basil pesto sauce blends, or meat sauce all work well.

Can I swap the beef for something else?
Ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage are great substitutions.

Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely—try sautéed mushrooms, onions, or spinach mixed into the meat.

Can this be made ahead?
Assemble just before baking for the best crust texture.