If you’re a fan of Italian food, I think you’ll enjoy this casserole! Most Italian recipes take a long time to prepare, but that’s not true of this one. It’s so easy to fix, but has a delicious, unique taste. You can make this casserole in an oblong baking dish or in a deep dish pie pan.
Most Italian casseroles use pastas as the main ingredient, but what makes this dish so different is there’s no spaghetti, linguini or any other pasta required. It’s more like a deep-dish pizza, minus the yeast crust.
If served with a salad and vegetable, it makes a light, delicious meal, whether for lunch or supper. For a special dinner like one you might enjoy in an authentic Italian restaurant, add a few homemade, garlic bread sticks! The casserole bakes in just 18 minutes, but that’s enough time to toss that salad together while it’s baking. Time is a big factor when cooking, and this dish can be ready in less than an hour!
ITALIAN CRESCENT CASSEROLE
1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup spaghetti sauce (your choice)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons margarine or butter, melted
Heat oven to 375 degrees. In large skillet, combine ground beef and onion; cook until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, cook until thoroughly heated.
In medium bowl, combine mozzarella cheese and sour cream; mix well.
Pour the hot beef mixture into an ungreased 9 ½- or 10-inch deep-dish pie pan or a 12-by-8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish. Spoon cheese mixture over beef mixture.
Separate dough into 8 triangles. Arrange the triangles over the cheese mixture, with points toward the center and crimping the outside edges if necessary. In a small bowl, combine Parmesan cheese and margarine; mix well. Spread evenly over dough.
Bake at 375 degrees for 18 minutes or until deep golden brown. Makes 6 servings.
Note: If using a baking dish, do not separate the dough into 8 triangles. Unroll the dough over the cheese mixture.
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