Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake Recipe

Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake Recipe
Ingredients:
1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
1 small onion, chopped
1 packet taco seasoning (or 2-3 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
1/2 cup water
1 can (8 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (optional for extra flavor)
1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or your favorite cheese)
1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
Lettuce, shredded (optional, for serving)
Salsa (optional, for serving)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Taco Meat
Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef (or turkey/chicken) and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

Add the Onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until softened and fragrant.

Season the Meat: Stir in the taco seasoning and water (as per the seasoning packet instructions), and add the diced tomatoes with green chilies if using. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: Assemble the Crescent Roll Taco Bake
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Prepare the Crescent Rolls: Unroll the crescent roll dough and lay it flat in a 9x13-inch baking dish, pressing the seams together to form a full sheet of dough at the bottom of the dish. If using a different size baking dish, you can adjust the dough accordingly. The dough should cover the bottom of the dish, with a little bit up the sides.

Layer the Taco Meat: Spoon the taco meat mixture evenly over the crescent roll dough in the baking dish.

Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the taco meat layer.

Add Another Layer of Crescent Rolls: Unroll the second can of crescent rolls and lay them on top of the cheese, pinching the seams together to seal. This creates a second layer of dough that will form the top crust.

Step 3: Bake the Taco Bake
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crescent roll crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Cool and Serve: Once the taco bake is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Serve with Toppings: Slice the taco bake into squares and serve with your favorite taco toppings such as sour cream, salsa, chopped green onions, shredded lettuce, or extra cheese.