Looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner that combines the flavors of a classic taco with the comfort of a warm, cheesy casserole? The Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake is the perfect recipe to try! This dish takes the best of both worlds: taco fillings and buttery, flaky crescent rolls, making it a fun and satisfying meal for busy nights or when you’re craving something savory and comforting. With its simple ingredients and fast prep time, this taco bake is bound to become a go-to dinner recipe in your household.
Ingredients for Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake:
- 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a lighter option)
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
- Chopped tomatoes, lettuce, and salsa for garnish (optional)
Why You’ll Love This Taco Bake:
- Simple Ingredients: With a few pantry staples and some fresh toppings, this taco bake comes together quickly, making it an ideal dinner for busy nights. No complicated prep or ingredients needed.
- One-Pot Wonder: The best part? You can cook everything in one pan, making cleanup a breeze! The combination of taco meat and crescent rolls creates a deliciously hearty meal without a lot of dishes to wash afterward.
- Flavorful and Customizable: Whether you’re a fan of extra cheese, a spicy kick, or more veggies, you can easily customize this taco bake to your liking. Add more toppings like olives, jalapeños, or green onions to make it your own.
- Kid-Friendly: Kids love the cheesy, doughy texture of the crescent rolls paired with the seasoned taco filling. It’s a great way to get them involved in mealtime too, as they can help roll the dough or add their favorite toppings.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for when you’re in a time crunch. The crescent rolls bake to a golden, crispy finish while the taco filling simmers to perfection.
How to Make Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake:
Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Crescent Rolls Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Unroll the Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and line the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. You want the dough to cover the bottom of the dish, so press the seams together to form one large crust.
Step 2: Cook the Taco Filling In a skillet, cook the ground beef (or turkey) over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat, then add the taco seasoning mix and water. Stir and let it simmer for a few minutes until the seasoning is fully incorporated.
Step 3: Assemble the Taco Bake Once your taco filling is ready, spread it evenly over the crescent roll dough in the baking dish. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the top of the taco filling.
Step 4: Bake and Enjoy Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish Top with your favorite taco toppings, such as sour cream, salsa, chopped tomatoes, and lettuce. Serve this easy taco bake with a side of rice or tortilla chips for a complete meal.
Tips and Variations:
- Ground Meat Alternatives: You can swap out the ground beef for ground chicken, turkey, or even a vegetarian option like black beans or lentils for a meatless meal.
- Spicy Kick: For extra heat, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the taco filling.
- Make It Low-Carb: If you’re following a low-carb diet, you can make this taco bake with a low-carb crescent roll dough alternative.
- Add Veggies: For added nutrition, consider adding sautéed bell peppers, onions, or corn to the taco filling.
Conclusion:
The Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake is the perfect combination of convenience, flavor, and comfort. Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or hosting a casual dinner, this dish will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation. Easy to prepare, customizable, and packed with delicious taco flavors, this taco bake is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Give it a try today and enjoy a quick and tasty meal that everyone will love!
Serving and Storage Tips for Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake
Serving Tips:
- Toppings: This taco bake is versatile, and the right toppings can elevate the dish even more. Serve it with a dollop of sour cream, fresh salsa, or a drizzle of guacamole for added flavor. Chopped fresh cilantro, diced onions, or jalapeños also make great garnishes for those who like a little extra kick.
- Side Dishes: Pair your taco bake with a side of Mexican rice, refried beans, or a simple side salad for a well-rounded meal. For a crunch, tortilla chips or a crispy corn on the cob are perfect accompaniments.
- Family-Friendly Presentation: Serve this bake directly in the casserole dish for a family-style meal, allowing everyone to serve themselves. You can also slice it into individual portions for easy serving.
Storage Tips:
- Refrigeration: Store leftover taco bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to the container to prevent condensation from making the dish soggy.
- Freezing: To freeze, first let the taco bake cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: When reheating, you can microwave individual servings or reheat the entire dish in the oven. To reheat in the oven, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. If using a microwave, heat for 1-2 minutes or until hot.
Tip for Freezing: You can also assemble the taco bake and freeze it before baking. This makes it easy to prep in advance and bake later on when you’re ready to enjoy it. Just be sure to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re baking it straight from frozen.
With these serving and storage tips, your Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake will stay fresh and delicious for days, and you can easily enjoy leftovers without any hassle.
1. Can I make Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the entire taco bake in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. If you’re freezing it, you can assemble the taco bake and freeze it before baking. Just be sure to add extra time for baking if it’s frozen.
2. Can I use a different type of meat or make it vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives. For a vegetarian version, try using black beans, lentils, or a combination of sautéed vegetables like bell peppers and onions.
3. Can I make this recipe low-carb?
Yes! To make it low-carb, you can use low-carb or keto-friendly crescent rolls (available in some grocery stores), or consider using a cauliflower crust as a base instead of the traditional crescent roll dough.
4. How do I reheat leftover taco bake?
To reheat leftover taco bake, you can microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes or bake the whole dish in the oven. If reheating in the oven, cover the bake with foil and heat at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes until it’s hot and bubbly.
Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake
This Pillsbury crescent roll taco bake is a quick and delicious dinner idea. Made with a flaky crescent roll crust, seasoned taco beef, melted cheese, and your favorite taco toppings, it’s a family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, American
Ingredients
- 1 tube (8 oz/235 g) Pillsbury crescent rolls
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or homemade, ~1 tablespoon)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 g) diced tomatoes or salsa (optional)
Optional toppings:
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Sliced black olives
- Jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish or a round baking dish.
- Cook the taco meat:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the taco seasoning mix and water, stirring until well combined. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the crescent roll crust:
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into triangles. Arrange the triangles in the prepared baking dish with the pointed ends hanging over the edge and the wide ends overlapping in the center to form a crust. Press the dough to seal any gaps.
- Assemble the taco bake:
- Spread the cooked taco meat evenly over the dough. If desired, add a layer of diced tomatoes or salsa. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the top.
- Fold the dough:
- Fold the pointed ends of the crescent roll dough over the filling, tucking them into the center. The filling will still be partially exposed.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the crescent roll dough is golden brown and cooked through.
- Add remaining cheese:
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese on top and return to the oven for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese melts.
- Serve:
- Let the taco bake cool for 5 minutes, then slice into wedges. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a layer of refried beans or black beans under the taco meat.
- Make it spicier by mixing diced jalapeños into the taco meat or topping with hot sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven.