Italian Crescent Casserole

Italian Crescent Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines Italian flavors with the convenience of a crescent roll crust. Here’s a simple recipe to prepare it:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage (you can also use a mix of both)
• 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the crescent roll package (usually 375°F or 190°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned and fully cooked. If using sausage, remove the casings before cooking. Break the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
3. Add the marinara sauce, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the cooked meat. Stir well to combine and let it simmer for a couple of minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4. Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form the bottom crust. Make sure to seal any perforations in the dough.
5. Spread the meat mixture evenly over the crescent roll crust in the baking dish.

1. In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Spread this cheese mixture over the meat layer in the baking dish.
2. Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and place it on top of the cheese layer, gently pressing the edges to seal it with the bottom crust.
3. Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the crescent roll crust is golden brown, and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
5. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Your Italian Crescent Casserole is ready to enjoy! Serve it with a side salad or some garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired meal. Enjoy!