Description
This Crescent Rolls Taco Bake is a quick and delicious casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, pinto beans, salsa, and melted Mexican cheese, all baked under a golden layer of crescent roll dough. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it combines the hearty flavors of a taco filling with the comforting texture of a savory pastry crust.
Ingredients
Meat and Beans
- 1 pound ground beef
- 15.5 ounces pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ounce taco spice
Other Ingredients
- 24 ounces salsa (use your favorite variety)
- 8 ounces shredded Mexican cheese
- 8 ounces Pillsbury Crescent roll dough (sheet or regular triangles pinched together to form a sheet)
- Green onion, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat thoroughly.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the rinsed and drained pinto beans, salsa, taco seasoning, and shredded Mexican cheese into the browned beef. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Spread Meat Mixture: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish lightly, then spread the meat and bean mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Add Crescent Dough Layer: Unroll the crescent roll dough and press it over the top of the meat mixture, ensuring the edges are sealed to enclose the filling.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crescent roll dough is golden brown and the cheese has melted completely.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions or desired toppings such as lettuce, sour cream, and tomato.
Notes
- Make sure to drain excess fat from browned beef to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Using a sheet pan crescent dough makes it easier to cover the filling evenly; otherwise, pinch triangle doughs together carefully.
- Feel free to customize with additional taco toppings like olives, jalapeños, or avocado after baking.
- If preferred, substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For a spicier version, use a hot salsa or add chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
