Italian Crescent Casserole

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Of course! The Italian Crescent Casserole is a beloved, easy comfort food classic. It’s the definition of a “semi-homemade” recipe, using crescent roll dough as a simple crust and topping for a hearty, cheesy, and flavorful Italian-style filling.

Here’s a detailed guide to making this family-favorite casserole.

Why You’ll Love Italian Crescent Casserole

· Incredibly Easy: Uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients.
· Comforting & Satisfying: Cheesy, meaty, and delicious.
· Crowd-Pleaser: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
· Quick to Prepare: Comes together in about 10-15 minutes of prep.

Classic Italian Crescent Casserole Recipe

This is the standard, most-loved version of the recipe.

Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients:

· 1 lb (450g) ground Italian sausage (mild or hot) or ground beef
· 1 (8 oz) can crescent roll dough
· 1 (15 oz) jar of your favorite marinara or pasta sauce (about 1 ¾ cups)
· 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
· ½ cup ricotta cheese
· ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
· 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
· Optional Add-ins:
· ¼ cup chopped onion
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· ½ cup sliced mushrooms
· 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley

Instructions:

  1. Preheat & Brown Meat: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground sausage (or beef) until no longer pink. If using onion or garlic, add it to the skillet for the last few minutes of cooking. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Combine Filling: Stir in the marinara sauce, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined. If you’re using any other add-ins like mushrooms or fresh herbs, stir them in now.
  3. Prepare the Crust: Unroll the crescent roll dough. Press the dough into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish, firmly pressing the seams together to form a solid crust.
  4. Assemble: Spread the meat and sauce mixture evenly over the crescent roll crust.
  5. Add the Topping: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.
  6. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crescent roll crust is golden brown and the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly spotted.
  7. Cool and Serve: Let the casserole stand for 5-10 minutes before cutting. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to slice and serve.

Popular Variations & Twists

  1. Pepperoni Lover’s: Add a layer of pepperoni slices between the meat mixture and the top layer of cheese. You can also add mini pepperoni to the filling itself.
  2. Philly Cheesesteak Style: Replace the Italian sausage with thinly sliced ribeye steak and sautéed green peppers and onions. Use provolone cheese instead of mozzarella.
  3. Double-Crust Casserole: Use two cans of crescent rolls. One for the bottom crust, and unroll the second can to place on top of the filling (press seams together) before adding the final cheese. This creates a more pot-pie-like dish.
  4. Vegetarian Version: Omit the meat and use a combination of sautéed vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, spinach, and mushrooms. You can also add a layer of meatless crumbles.
  5. Cheesy Garlic Bread Top: Before baking, brush the top layer of crescent dough (if using a double crust) or the exposed crust edges with melted butter mixed with a little garlic powder and Parmesan.

Serving Suggestions

· With a Fresh Salad: A simple Caesar salad or a mixed green salad with a light Italian vinaigrette is the perfect fresh counterpoint to the rich casserole.
· Garlic Bread: You can’t go wrong with more carbs! Serve with warm, buttery garlic bread or breadsticks.
· Steamed Vegetables: A side of steamed broccoli, green beans, or a medley of vegetables adds color and nutrition to the plate.

Expert Tips for the Best Casserole

· Don’t Skip the Draining: Draining the excess grease from the cooked meat is crucial to prevent a greasy casserole.
· Press the Seams: Taking the time to firmly press the crescent roll seams together creates a much better base that won’t fall apart.
· Let it Rest: Allowing the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking is a game-changer for clean slices.
· Ricotta vs. Cottage Cheese: While ricotta is classic, small-curd cottage cheese is a common and delicious substitute that adds a slight tang.
· Test for Doneness: The bottom crust can sometimes be doughy. To check, insert a knife near the edge and lift slightly to see if the dough is fully cooked and golden.

This casserole is the epitome of easy, hearty, and delicious home cooking. Enjoy

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