Zesty Italian Crescent Casserole

January, 5th 2022 By Recipes by Sugar
Recipe Credit: A Co-Worker
Zesty Italian Crescent Casserole Plated

Zesty Italian Crescent Casserole recipe I recently got from a co-worker. I will be honest, when I read the ingredients for this recipe, I thought to myself, how could this even be any good. I was hesitant to make it. Man was I wrong! Once I tried this recipe, it reminded me of a different version of lasagna. It is also way easier and less time consuming to make then a full pan of lasagna. A side salad goes great with this recipe or even a side of cottage cheese.

Ingredients for Zesty Italian Crescent Casserole

  • 1 1/2 – 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped (optional)
  • 1 envelope dry spaghetti sauce mix
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 8 oz tube crescent rolls
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning (optional)
  • 1 egg beaten or small amount of milk (optional)

Utensils Needed

  • Saute Pan
  • 9 x 13 baking dish
  • Meat chopper
  • Utensil spoon
  • Small bowl
  • Spatula
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Strainer
  • Serving spatula

Directions for Zesty Italian Crescent Casserole

Prep Time: 20 minutes / Cook Time: 20 minutes

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Place meat and (optional) onion in saute pan over medium to medium high heat.
  3. Use the meat chopper and break meat up and cook until browned. Drain if needed.
  4. Once browned, add in spaghetti sauce mix and tomato sauce. Stir.
  5. Continue to heat mixture until well combined and bubbly.
  6. Place meat mixture in 9 x 13 baking dish, ungreased.
  7. In the small bowl mix mozzarella cheese and sour cream with spatula.
  8. (Optional) Add 1/2 tablespoon of Italian seasoning to cheese mixture.
  9. Next, spoon cheese mixture over the top of the meat mixture and spread out evenly as best as possible.
  10. Then, separate crescent rolls into two rectangles. Place over cheese mixture trying to stretch all the way across to cover.
  11. (Optional) Brush crescent rolls with egg or milk wash. Add Italian seasoning and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese.
  12. Bake for 20 minutes, uncovered. Cut and serve.

Variations

  • I have not tried it, but you could most likely swap out the sour cream with ricotta cheese.
  • I actually make this recipe with 1 lb of ground beef and cook in 8 x 8 pan. Then I do not use the full amount called for, for the rest of the ingredients. (only two of us eating it)
  • My husband and I both agreed some Italian sausage mixed with the ground beef would be great!