Looking for a quick, satisfying, and family-friendly dinner? The Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake is your answer! Combining the buttery flakiness of crescent rolls with the bold flavors of taco-seasoned beef, this dish is a guaranteed hit. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 package (8 oz) Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican cheese blend)
- Optional toppings: chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, and guacamole
How to Make Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake
Step 1: Prepare the Taco Filling
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until fully browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in the taco seasoning mix and water (as directed on the packet). Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Assemble the Taco Bake
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and lay it flat in a 9-inch pie dish or baking pan, ensuring the edges hang slightly over the sides.
- Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly onto the dough.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the beef.
- Fold the edges of the crescent dough over the filling, creating a crust around the edges.
Step 3: Bake
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crescent dough is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
- Add your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, or jalapeños for extra flavor.
- Slice and serve warm.
Tips for Perfect Taco Bake
- Make It Spicy: Add diced green chilies or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap ground beef for black beans or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Extra Crunch: Top with crushed tortilla chips or Fritos before serving.
Pairing Suggestions
This taco bake pairs wonderfully with a side of Mexican rice, refried beans, or a refreshing margarita mocktail. For dessert, consider serving churros or a tres leches cake.
Conclusion
The Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake is a versatile, crowd-pleasing recipe that’s easy to make and even easier to love. Perfect for potlucks, casual dinners, or taco Tuesdays, this dish is a surefire way to bring bold flavors to your table with minimal effort.
Serving and Storage Tips for Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake
Serving Tips
- Best Served Fresh: This taco bake tastes best when served straight out of the oven while the crescent roll crust is warm and flaky.
- Slice Carefully: Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to slice the bake into neat portions. A spatula works well for serving.
- Set Up a Toppings Bar: For a fun, customizable experience, offer a variety of toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced olives, sour cream, and guacamole. Let everyone build their perfect plate!
- Pair It Up: Serve alongside tortilla chips, salsa, or a side salad for a complete meal.
Storage Tips
Refrigeration
- Leftovers: Store any leftover taco bake in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- Shelf Life: It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing
- Make Ahead: Prepare the taco bake up to the baking step, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Thaw the bake overnight in the fridge, then bake as instructed. For already-baked leftovers, reheat straight from frozen at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Reheating Tips
- Microwave: Warm individual portions for 1-2 minutes, but note that the crust might lose its crispiness.
- Oven: For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to restore the flaky texture of the crescent rolls.
Pro Tips for Leftovers
- Make It New: Turn leftovers into an exciting meal by crumbling the taco bake over a salad, stuffing it into a tortilla, or mixing it with scrambled eggs for a Tex-Mex breakfast.
- Keep It Crunchy: Store the bake without toppings to avoid sogginess and add fresh toppings right before serving.
By following these serving and storage tips, you can enjoy the deliciousness of Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake any time!
1. Can I use other types of dough instead of crescent rolls?
Yes! While Pillsbury Crescent Rolls provide a buttery, flaky crust, you can substitute with biscuit dough, puff pastry, or even a homemade pie crust. Just ensure the substitute dough cooks evenly and complements the taco filling.
2. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the taco bake up to the assembly step, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, simply pop it in the oven. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.
3. How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, use gluten-free crescent roll dough or a similar alternative. Ensure that the taco seasoning you use is also gluten-free, as some seasoning packets may contain wheat or gluten.
4. Can I add vegetables or other ingredients to the filling?
Definitely! This recipe is highly versatile. You can add diced bell peppers, onions, corn, black beans, or jalapeños to the filling for extra flavor and texture. Cook the vegetables with the ground beef to ensure they’re tender.
PrintPillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Description
This Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake is a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that layers crescent roll dough, seasoned taco meat, and gooey cheese into a delicious and easy-to-make dish. Perfect for a quick family dinner or a party appetizer, this bake is sure to become a favorite!
Ingredients
(Serves 6-8)
- 2 tubes (8 oz each) Pillsbury crescent rolls
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
- 1/2 cup salsa (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (optional, for garnish)
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions or cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a round pie dish.
2. Cook the Taco Meat:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
3. Assemble the Taco Bake:
- Unroll one tube of crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of the baking dish, pinching the seams together to form a solid crust.
- Spread the cooked taco meat evenly over the crescent roll base.
- If using salsa, spread it evenly over the taco meat.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on top of the meat layer.
- Unroll the second tube of crescent roll dough and lay it over the cheese, pinching the edges to seal.
4. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crescent roll dough is golden brown and cooked through.
5. Serve:
- Let the taco bake cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with sour cream, green onions, or cilantro if desired. Serve with your favorite taco toppings like guacamole, salsa, or shredded lettuce.
Notes
- Spice It Up: Add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne to the taco meat for extra heat.
- Customizable: Add a layer of refried beans or black beans under the taco meat for added texture and flavor.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.