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Everyone loves crescent rolls and this Italian Crescent Casserole is perfect with this flaky crust. The pie is packed with lots of ground beef, vegetables and more. Make this easy dinner idea today! It is sure to be a hit.
Italian Crescent Casserole is a delicious casserole recipe that is loaded with a delicious beef mixture baked in a crispy crust. This melty cheese makes this a kid approved casserole and simple enough to serve for an easy weeknight meal.
If you love this recipe, then your family may love these casserole recipes Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole, Cheesy Potato Casserole and Hamburger Casserole.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
We have several people in our family that are not fans of zucchini or veggies. However, they cannot tell a difference in this mixture. So do not let the vegetables scare you away.
They add a ton of flavor and it’s a great way to sneak them in. I have also added squash, carrots, and green pepper. This complete meal is a family favorite and my 8 kids clean their plates.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef – You can also use ground turkey or a combination of both
- Onion – If you are out, see the Best Onion Substitute
- Garlic Salt and Italian Seasoning – See Italian Seasoning Recipe if you want to make homemade
- Zucchini– Cut into small pieces
- Shredded Italian Cheese Blend – Feel free to change the cheese to cheddar, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, Monterey jack Cheese and Colby Jack Cheese.
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
How to Make Italian Crescent Casserole
Step 1 – Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, zucchini, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning. Cook ground beef and vegetable mixture until soft. Stir in the canned of crushed tomatoes.
Step 2 – Separate dough into 8 triangles. Place dough in ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate in a spoke pattern, with narrow tips overlapping rim of plate about 3 inches. Press dough in the bottom and up sides to form crust, firmly press perforations to seal. Spoon meat mixture into the pan.
Step 3 – Top the mixture with cheese. Pull the dough over the meat mixture. Optional: Melt butter over medium-high heat and brush over crust. Stir in parsley flakes, salt, pepper and garlic if desired.
Step 4 – Bake at 375°F for about 15 to 20 minutes. If needed, cover with foil during the last 10 minutes to prevent excessive browning.
Expert Tips
- Make Ahead – This casserole is a great option to use leftover ground beef. You can easily prepare the ground beef ahead of time so it is easy to add to the crescent roll for a quick dinner idea.
- Adding the Crust – When placing the crescent roll to the pie plate, place the dough into the pie place so that it will seal around the filling.
- Cooking Time – Cooking time will vary depending on your oven. If you have problems with the top of burning, cover the top with foil so the center can finish cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Italian Crescent Pie already had an abundance of veggies mixed right in, so you don’t have to serve it with very much. Serve it with a simple green salad and you are set.
We also like steamed broccoli, grilled green beans, or cottage cheese and fruit if you want to keep it super simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
We love the flaky crust by using the crescent rolls. But you can also make this recipe with pie crusts for a delicious variations.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container or cover the casserole with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave.
If you have problems with the bottom crust from getting soggy, bake the crescent roll for about 5 minutes before adding the filling. This will help the crust from getting soggy.
Yes, this casserole freezes great. I love to make one for dinner and another for the freezer. It really helps with busy nights and it’s not any more work than preparing just one. I use these disposable pie plates for the one I freeze. I use the glass pie plates for the one I’m making for the same day.
If you like Shepherd’s Pie, try the freezer version for that! So easy!
More Easy Italian Meal Ideas
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Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
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Easy Italian Chicken Marinade
We love to hear from you. If you make this Italian Crescent Casserole Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Italian Crescent Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1/2 onion chopped
- Garlic Salt and Italian Seasoning
- 1 Zucchini diced small
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
- 1 can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (6 oz)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet.
- Add onions, diced zucchini, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning (Just sprinkle some in)
- Cook until soft.
- Stir in the canned of crushed tomatoes.
- Separate dough into 8 triangles. Place dough in ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate in spoke pattern, with narrow tips overlapping rim of plate about 3 inches. Press dough in the sides and bottom to form crust.
- Spoon the entire meat mixture into the pan.
- Top with cheese.
- Pull the dough over the meat mixture.
- Bake at 375°F for about 15 to 20 minutes.
That size can of tomatoes seems like an awful lot. I’m not questioning the recipe but I used half that much and it was fine. It wouldn’t have fit in the dish otherwise. It’s in the oven now. Can’t wait to try it!
Your revisions sound delicious! I’m glad that you enjoyed it!
I had some items from a meal delivery service that i didn’t want to make, so I used ground pork, and added a carrot (it was in the meal delivery package). I can’t believe how it came out. Rarely does a dish on Pinterest come out the way it’s supposed to for me, and I am so happy with this. So easy to make also. I only used one small (15 oz) can of crushed tomatoes, and since my husband doesn’t like the texture of onions, I used onion powder. It really was perfect.
I used a 28 oz can for this recipe. Thanks.
What size can of crushed tomatoes?