Italian Crescent Casserole..

 

🍅 Italian Sausage Crescent Casserole

This easy, crowd-pleasing casserole combines savory Italian sausage, creamy cheese, and vibrant vegetables, all wrapped in a flaky, golden crescent roll crust. It’s the perfect comfort food for a busy weeknight, delivering all the cozy flavors of Italy in one simple dish.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6

🧾 Ingredients

For the Filling:

• ½ lb Italian sausage, casing removed

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ onion, chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 1 cup fresh spinach

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Assembly:

• 2 cans (8 oz each) crescent roll dough

• 1 cup marinara sauce, divided

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the Sausage and Vegetables:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned. Drain off any excess grease.

3. Create the Creamy Filling:
Add the spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted. Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is melted and the mixture is well combined. Remove from heat.

4. Assemble the First Layer:
Unroll one can of crescent dough and press it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, sealing any perforations to form a solid crust. Spread ½ cup of the marinara sauce evenly over the dough. Spoon the sausage and cream cheese filling over the sauce, then sprinkle with ½ cup of the shredded mozzarella.

5. Add the Top Layer:
Unroll the second can of crescent dough and place it over the filling. Spread the remaining ½ cup of marinara sauce over the dough and top with the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese.

6. Bake to Perfection:
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crescent dough is puffed and golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

7. Serve:
Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set for clean slices. Serve warm and enjoy!

💡 Chef's Tips

• Crispier Crust: For a crisper bottom crust, you can pre-bake the first crescent roll layer for 5-7 minutes before adding the fillings.

• Customize Your Fillings: Feel free to add other vegetables like sliced mushrooms or black olives when sautéing the onions and peppers.

• Make it Lighter: For a lighter version, use turkey Italian sausage and reduced-fat cream cheese.