Looking for a quick and easy family dinner recipe? This beefy Crescent Roll Taco Bake is the perfect solution for busy nights. It's a cheesy Mexican inspired casserole that's impossible to resist!
Who can say no to such a delicious and effortless meal? Certainly not me!
![Overhead view of the golden top crust of the crescent roll taco bake with a serving removed showing the beefy filling.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/taco-bake-title.jpg)
Table of Contents
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🗝️ Key takeaways
- Tex-Mex. Taco bake is full of Tex-Mex flavor and gooey, cheesy goodness. You can assemble it ahead of time to make the 5 pm dinner rush less hectic.
- 30 minutes. This simple recipe is quick and easy - great for busy weeknights!
- Convenience foods. Using quality convenience foods, like refrigerated crescent rolls, can save a ton of time in the kitchen.
Y'all, there's nothing I like better than a quick and easy dinner recipe that I can slip into the oven while I slip into the shower.
And if it saves me cleanup time I'm putting it in the front of the card file! I keep a pack of crescent rolls on hand just about all the time for easy dinners like this one.
Try this once and I bet you add it to your favorites, too.
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
![Ingredients for this recipe.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/taco-bake-ingredients.jpg)
📖 Variations
- Cheese options. Switch up the cheese and use pepper jack or cheddar cheese for a different flavor.
- Cut the fat. Use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a lower-fat option.
- Beans. Add drained black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans to the beef mixture for more protein and to stretch the grocery budget.
- Toppings. Top with black olives, sour cream, guacamole, green onions, or salsa.
- Spice it up. Add green chiles for some additional spicy flavor.
- Alternative crust. If you don't have crescent rolls or the crescent sheets use pie pastry or even biscuits, instead.
- Gluten-free. Use gf baking mix to create a ¼ inch crust and bake as directed.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
![Overhead view of a cast iron skillet with cooked ground beef, taco seasoning and tomatoes in it.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/how-to-make-taco-bake-step-1.jpg)
Cook beef and bell peppers; add taco seasoning and Rotel tomatoes.
![A layer of unbaked crescent roll dough on the bottom of the casserole dish.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/how-to-make-taco-bake-step-2.jpg)
Press one can of crescent rolls, or a crescent sheet in the bottom of the pan.
![Layers of the cooked ground beef mixture and cheese over the crescent roll dough.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/how-to-make-taco-bake-step-3.jpg)
Top with ground beef. Top with the cheese then the remaining can of crescent rolls.
![The top crust of crescent roll dough added to the casserole dish.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/how-to-make-taco-bake-step-4.jpg)
Bake 20-25 minutes.
🤫 Cook's secrets -
Add a layer of refried beans over the bottom crust before adding the remaining ingredients. It's more like nachoes!
🍴 Equipment
- cast iron skillet
- 13x9-inch casserole dish
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- measuring cups and spoons
🎥 Video
Hey y'all! Don't forget to check out my latest video where I guide you through each step of this delicious recipe. It's always great to have a visual guide, right? And as always, my cooking show, Restless Chipotle Kitchen, has got your back. If you're looking for more yummy ideas, dive into our full recipe collection on YouTube. You're gonna love it!
🥫 How to store leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
This casserole also freezes well for up to three months.
To reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes or until heated through.
![A plate with a serving of this casserole in it.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/taco-bake-38.jpg)
Marye's Tip
If you are assembling this taco casserole ahead of time either leave the crust off the bottom or bake it until done before assembling the rest of the casserole. This will keep it from being soggy.
💭 Things to know
- Easy clean up. Be sure to spray your casserole dish well with cooking spray for easy clean-up.
- Sauteing. Saute the peppers until they start to become tender for the best flavor.
- Seasoning. You can use a packet of taco seasoning or your favorite homemade taco seasoning.
- Crescent Dough. If you can find the crescent dough sheets, use those instead of crescent roll tubes that you have to pinch together. Pinch the crescent dough triangles together to avoid large holes.
- Doneness. The recipe is ready when the top is golden brown.
👩🍳 FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
I would use gluten-free bisquick and pat out a rectangle to lay over the top (skip the bottom crust), keeping the dough no more than ¼ inch thick. Bake as directed - but make sure the dough is baked through before removing it from the oven. Just before taking it out of the oven consider adding a ¼ cup of cheese over the top and letting it melt.
Yes, prep the casserole and then wrap it in plastic wrap in the fridge until you are ready to bake.
Yes, you can freeze this casserole for up to three months.
This dish tastes similar to a taco pizza with the crescent rolls forming a soft, buttery crust.
![A spatula removing a serving of this casserole from a dish.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/taco-bake-35.jpg)
📚 Related recipes
More easy recipes made with crescent rolls! Check out these other budget friendly Mexican recipes!
🍽️ Serve with...
![Close up of grilled pineapple showing grill marks.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Grilled-Pineapple-Recipe-feat-700x700.jpg)
Grilled pineapple is a quick and easy side. If you don't feel like firing up the grill use a grill pan inside or broil in the oven. Watch carefully so it doesn't burn!
![Overhead view of creamy Jalapeno Popper Corn Salad.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Jalapeno-Popper-Corn-Salad-feat-700x700.jpg)
Jalapeno popper corn salad is a delicious addition to this easy meal. Make it the night before!
![Close up of the cupcakes on a cooling rack for feature image.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Mexican-Hot-Chocolate-Cupcakes-25-1-700x700.jpg)
Mexican hot chocolate cupcakes are moist and chocolatey with a touch of warm spices.
🍽️ Repurpose leftovers
- Taco bake breakfast burritos. Create breakfast burritos by scrambling some eggs and mixing in chopped up leftover taco bake. Wrap the mixture in flour tortillas with some shredded cheese and avocado slices. Serve with salsa or hot sauce for a delicious morning meal.
- Create a dip. Chop up the taco bake and stir in a can of refried beans. Heat up and serve with chips.
- Leftover taco meat. Use it in this meat lover's Tater Tot pizza casserole or stir it into this easy Spanish rice skillet!
📞 The last word
It's no secret that I love Tex-Mex flavors and when a recipe is as easy as this?
Well, that goes on my "A" list!
I like topping each serving with sour cream and some chopped cilantro. I'll put a bowl of extra sour cream on the table for those who want more.
It's a great main dish for back to school, soccer practice nights, and it disappears at potlucks. So good!
Another easy recipe that I absolutely love is this King Ranch Casserole. Give it a try - I bet it's a favorite at your house, too.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
![Closeup of a serving of taco bake with cheese oozing out the side.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/taco-bake-feat-150x150.jpg)
Crescent Roll Taco Bake
Print Pin Recipe Save RecipeIngredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- 2 ounces taco seasoning
- 20 ounces Rotel tomatoes, undrained
- 1 pound Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Mozzarella, shredded from a block
- 16 ounces refrigerated crescent rolls, 2 8-ounce cans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF.
- Spray a 13x9-inch casserole pan with cooking spray. Set Aside.
- In a heavy skillet, brown the ground beef and saute the peppers. Drain the fat.
- Add taco seasoning and Rotel tomatoes.
- Stir and simmer until heated through, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Open on can of crescent rolls and unroll the dough without separating the rolls.
- Press in the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Use a slotted spoon and top with ground beef mixture.
- Add shredded cheese.
- Unroll the remaining crescent roll dough and lay on top of the cheese.
- Bake 20-25 minutes, until the rolls are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Top with favorite taco toppings and serve
Notes
- Gluten free? Use gluten free Bisquick to create a ¼ inch thick crust on top. Details in the post above.
- Be sure to spray your casserole dish well with cooking spray for easy clean-up.
- If you can find the crescent dough sheets you can use those instead of crescent roll tubes that you have to pinch together.
- Try to pinch the dough triangles together on your crescent roll dough so that you don't have large holes.
- You can tell this recipe is ready when the top is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
First published February 14, 2022. Last updated June 3, 2024, for editorial corrections and more helpful tips.
![Closeup of a serving of taco bake with cheese oozing out the side.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/taco-bake-feat-700x700.jpg)
Don't lose this recipe!!
Crescent Roll Taco Bake
Pin to your favorite Pinterest board to find this easily when you want it!
Claire Hoetker
You forgot to include where the bell peppers are to be added in the instructions in the green area.
Marye
You saute them with the meat. 🙂