Italian Crescent Casserole is a cozy, family-friendly dinner that combines seasoned ground beef, rich pasta sauce, and melty Italian cheese—all wrapped in a golden crescent roll crust. This easy baked casserole takes simple ingredients and turns them into a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Inspired by classic crescent casseroles but customized with a three-cheese pasta sauce, this version delivers extra richness and flavor while keeping prep fast and stress-free. If you can brown ground beef, you can absolutely make this dish.
Who Is This Recipe For?
This recipe is ideal for:
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Busy families needing a quick, filling dinner
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Beginner cooks learning simple stovetop and oven skills
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Budget-friendly meal planners
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Anyone who loves Italian-inspired comfort food
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Potlucks or casual church and community meals
It’s especially great if you want a no-leftovers kind of dinner—this one disappears fast.
Why It’s Great
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Uses store-bought crescent dough for convenience
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Minimal prep with simple pantry ingredients
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Kid-approved flavors
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Customizable with different sauces or cheeses
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Bakes in just 20 minutes
This casserole proves that easy recipes can still feel homemade and satisfying.
Ingredients
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1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
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1 cup three-cheese pasta sauce
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1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
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1½ cups shredded Italian cheese blend (about 6 oz)
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¼ teaspoon dried basil
Kitchen Equipment Needed
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Large skillet
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9-inch glass pie dish
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Spoon or spatula
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Oven
How to Make Italian Crescent Casserole
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Prepare the Filling
In a skillet over medium-high heat, combine the cooked ground beef and pasta sauce. Stir and heat until the mixture begins to bubble. Remove from heat. -
Form the Crescent Crust
Separate the crescent dough into 8 triangles. Arrange them in a spoke pattern inside an ungreased 9-inch pie dish, with the narrow tips hanging slightly over the rim. Press dough into the sides and bottom to form a crust. -
Layer the Ingredients
Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese evenly over the dough. Spoon the meat mixture on top of the cheese. -
Seal and Top
Fold the dough tips over the filling toward the center without overlapping. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup cheese and dried basil. -
Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and fully cooked. -
Serve
Let rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Storage
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Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
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Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F or microwave individual portions
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Freezing: Not recommended due to crescent dough texture
FAQ
Can I use a different sauce?
Yes! Marinara, meat sauce, or roasted garlic tomato sauce all work well.
Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely—try sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the meat mixture ahead, but assemble just before baking for best results.
What cheese works best?
Italian blends, mozzarella, provolone, or even shredded cheddar all melt beautifully.
Conclusion
Italian Crescent Casserole is proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. With flaky crescent rolls, savory beef, and gooey cheese, this dish delivers big flavor with minimal effort. It’s a dependable, no-fail recipe you’ll want to keep in your dinner rotation—especially on nights when you want something warm, filling, and guaranteed to be a hit.
