- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook Sausage Mixture:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground Italian sausage over medium heat until it’s browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onions are softened and translucent.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, and cook for another minute to allow the flavors to meld.
- Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the sausage mixture and stir well to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of the greased baking dish to form a bottom crust. Press the seams together to seal.
- Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the crescent roll dough layer.
- Pour the sausage and marinara mixture over the cheese layer, spreading it out evenly.
- Top with Remaining Cheese:
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the sausage mixture.
- Add Crescent Roll Topping:
- Unroll the remaining crescent roll dough and place it over the top of the casserole to form a top crust. Press the seams together to seal.
- Brush with Butter:
- Brush the melted butter over the top of the crescent roll dough.
- Bake:
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crescent roll topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Serve:
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve the Italian Crescent Casserole hot, and enjoy the delicious flavors of Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese.
Tips for Success:
- You can customize this casserole by adding your favorite ingredients such as diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or spinach.
- Make sure to seal the seams of the crescent roll dough well to prevent any filling from leaking out during baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
Enjoy this Italian Crescent Casserole as a hearty and satisfying meal that’s sure to become a family favorite!