Italian Crescent Casserole is a popular dish that combines the flavors of Italy with the convenience of a crescent roll crust. Here's a recipe that serves 6-8 people:
Ingredients:
* 1 (16.3 oz) package of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
* 1 pound Italian sausage, browned and drained
* 1 medium onion, finely chopped
* 2 cloves of garlic, minced
* 1 cup marinara sauce
* 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
* Optional ingredients:
+ 1 cup sliced mushrooms
+ 1 cup sliced bell peppers
+ 1 cup sliced olives
+ 1/4 cup chopped prosciutto
+ 1/4 cup chopped capers
+ 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano
Cooking Steps:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out the crescent roll dough onto a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
3. In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
4. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
5. Stir in the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for a few minutes until the flavors have melded together.
6. Spread the sausage and sauce mixture evenly over the center of the crescent roll dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
7. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the sausage mixture.
8. Add any optional ingredients you like, such as sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, prosciutto, capers, and oregano.
9. Roll the crescent roll dough over the filling, starting with one long side. Press the edges to seal and use a little bit of water to help them stick.
10. Place the casserole seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
11. Brush the top of the casserole with the beaten egg for a golden glaze.
12. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until it's golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for making Italian Crescent Casserole tastier:
* Use high-quality Italian sausage for the best flavor. You can also use sweet Italian sausage if you prefer.
* Don't overfill the casserole with the sausage and sauce mixture. You want to leave a little room for the cheese to melt and spread.
* Add the optional ingredients to give the casserole extra flavor and texture. Some of these ingredients, like the mushrooms and bell peppers, can be sautéed before adding them to the casserole.
* Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set and the flavors to meld together.
* Consider using different types of cheese, such as ricotta or provolone, to give the casserole a unique flavor.
Variations:
* Italian Sausage and Pepper Casserole: Add sliced bell peppers and onions to the sausage mixture for a flavor combination that's reminiscent of an Italian sausage sub sandwich.
* Italian Sausage and Mushroom Casserole: Add sautéed mushrooms to the sausage mixture for a hearty and earthy flavor combination.
* Italian Sausage and Prosciutto Casserole: Add diced prosciutto to the sausage mixture for a salty and savory flavor combination.
* Italian Sausage and Capers Casserole: Add chopped capers to the sausage mixture for a salty and tangy flavor combination.
I hope you enjoy this recipe for Italian Crescent Casserole! It's a great combination of flavors and textures that's sure to please a crowd.
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