Quick & Easy Crescent Roll Taco Pie: A Weeknight Dinner Winner!

Are you searching for a delicious, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s also incredibly quick and easy to make? Look no further than this Crescent Roll Taco Pie! This recipe combines the flaky goodness of crescent rolls with the savory flavors of taco meat and your favorite toppings. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any time you need a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

This taco pie is truly a lifesaver. It requires minimal prep time, uses readily available ingredients, and is endlessly customizable to suit your family’s preferences. From start to finish, you can have this dish on the table in under an hour. Imagine tender, seasoned ground beef nestled between layers of buttery crescent rolls, topped with melted cheese and all your favorite taco fixings. Sounds delicious, right? Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Crescent Roll Taco Pie

* **Quick and Easy:** Ready in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** A hit with kids and adults alike.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the fillings and toppings to your liking.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Uses affordable and accessible ingredients.
* **Comfort Food:** A warm and satisfying meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

* 2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
* 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey or vegetarian crumbles)
* 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning
* ¾ cup water (as directed on taco seasoning package)
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
* Optional toppings: Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, black olives, green onions, jalapenos

Equipment Needed

* 9-inch pie plate
* Large skillet
* Spatula
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Oven

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s break down the process of making this fantastic Crescent Roll Taco Pie. Each step is designed to be easy to follow and ensure your pie turns out perfectly every time.

Step 1: Prepare the Taco Meat

1. **Brown the Ground Beef:** In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Use a spatula to break it up into small pieces as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink.
2. **Drain Excess Grease:** Once the ground beef is cooked through, carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet. This will prevent your pie from becoming greasy.
3. **Add Taco Seasoning and Water:** Pour in the taco seasoning packet and water according to the instructions on the seasoning packet. Typically, this involves stirring the seasoning and water into the cooked ground beef and simmering for a few minutes.
4. **Simmer and Thicken:** Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and the sauce has thickened slightly. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. This ensures the taco meat is flavorful and not too watery.
5. **Taste and Adjust Seasoning:** Taste the taco meat and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add a pinch of salt, pepper, or extra taco seasoning to enhance the flavor. If you like it spicy, consider adding a dash of chili powder or cayenne pepper.

Step 2: Prepare the Crescent Roll Crust

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the optimal temperature for baking the crescent roll crust to a golden brown.
2. **Unroll the First Can of Crescent Rolls:** Open one can of crescent roll dough and unroll it. Separate the triangles and arrange them in the bottom of the pie plate, overlapping the edges slightly. Press the seams together to create a solid bottom crust. This step is crucial for preventing the filling from leaking out.
3. **Unroll the Second Can of Crescent Rolls:** Open the second can of crescent roll dough and unroll it. Separate the triangles and arrange them over the taco meat filling, again overlapping the edges slightly. Press the seams together to create a top crust. If you want a decorative look, you can cut the crescent roll dough into strips and create a lattice pattern on top.
4. **Crimp the Edges:** Crimp the edges of the crust with a fork or your fingers to seal the top and bottom crusts together. This will create a nice, finished look and prevent the filling from escaping.

Step 3: Assemble the Taco Pie

1. **Transfer Taco Meat to Pie Plate:** Carefully pour the prepared taco meat mixture into the crescent roll-lined pie plate. Spread it evenly over the bottom crust. Make sure the taco meat is distributed evenly so that every slice of the pie has a good amount of filling.
2. **Add Cheese:** Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the taco meat filling. Use a generous amount of cheese to ensure a cheesy, gooey topping. You can also use a blend of cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack for a more complex flavor.

Step 4: Bake the Taco Pie

1. **Bake in the Oven:** Place the pie plate 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. Keep an eye on the pie as it bakes to prevent the crust from burning. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the pie with aluminum foil.
2. **Check for Doneness:** To ensure the pie is fully cooked, insert a toothpick into the center of the filling. If the toothpick comes out clean, the pie is done. If the toothpick has wet batter on it, continue baking for a few more minutes.

Step 5: Add Toppings and Serve

1. **Let Cool Slightly:** Remove the taco pie from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before adding your favorite toppings. This will prevent the toppings from wilting or melting too quickly.
2. **Add Toppings:** Now comes the fun part! Add your favorite taco toppings to the pie. Some popular options include shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, black olives, green onions, and jalapenos. Get creative and customize the toppings to your liking.
3. **Cut and Serve:** Cut the taco pie into slices and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Tips for Success

* **Don’t Overfill:** Avoid overfilling the pie plate with taco meat, as this can cause the crust to become soggy. Aim for a thin, even layer of filling.
* **Use Quality Ingredients:** Using high-quality ingredients, such as fresh ground beef and good-quality cheese, will enhance the flavor of the pie.
* **Adjust Baking Time:** Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the pie and adjust the baking time as needed to ensure the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
* **Make Ahead:** You can prepare the taco meat filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This will save you time on the day you plan to bake the pie.
* **Spice It Up:** For a spicier pie, add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the taco meat filling.
* **Vegetarian Option:** Substitute the ground beef with vegetarian crumbles for a vegetarian-friendly version.
* **Cheese Variations:** Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or pepper jack, for a unique flavor.

Variations and Additions

This Crescent Roll Taco Pie recipe is incredibly versatile and can be easily adapted to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few variations and additions to try:

* **Spicy Taco Pie:** Add diced jalapenos or a dash of hot sauce to the taco meat filling for a spicy kick.
* **Supreme Taco Pie:** Top the pie with sour cream, guacamole, black olives, and green onions for a supreme taco experience.
* **Chicken Taco Pie:** Substitute the ground beef with shredded cooked chicken for a lighter option.
* **Bean and Cheese Taco Pie:** Omit the meat and add a layer of refried beans to the bottom of the pie plate for a vegetarian option.
* **Mexican Pizza Taco Pie:** Add a layer of salsa or enchilada sauce before adding the taco meat and cheese for a Mexican pizza-inspired flavor.
* **Breakfast Taco Pie:** Use breakfast sausage instead of ground beef, add scrambled eggs, and top with cheddar cheese for a breakfast-themed taco pie.
* **Add Corn or Beans to the Filling:** Mix in a can of drained corn or black beans to the taco meat filling for added texture and flavor.
* **Cream Cheese Layer:** Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the bottom crust before adding the taco meat for a richer, creamier flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This Crescent Roll Taco Pie is delicious on its own, but it can also be served with a variety of side dishes to complete the meal. Here are a few serving suggestions:

* **Salad:** A simple green salad or a more elaborate taco salad is a great way to add some freshness to the meal.
* **Rice and Beans:** Serve the pie with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans for a classic combination.
* **Corn on the Cob:** Grilled or boiled corn on the cob is a perfect summertime side dish.
* **Chips and Salsa:** Offer a bowl of tortilla chips and your favorite salsa for dipping.
* **Guacamole and Sour Cream:** Provide extra guacamole and sour cream for topping the pie or serving on the side.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

* **Make Ahead:** You can prepare the taco meat filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Assemble the pie just before baking.
* **Storage:** Leftover taco pie can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
* **Freezing:** While it’s best served fresh, you can freeze the baked taco pie for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Recipe Card: Quick Crescent Taco Pie

**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 25 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
* 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey or vegetarian crumbles)
* 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning
* ¾ cup water (as directed on taco seasoning package)
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
* Optional toppings: Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, black olives, green onions, jalapenos

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease.
3. Stir in taco seasoning and water according to package directions. Simmer until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and arrange triangles in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate, overlapping edges. Press seams together to form a crust.
5. Pour taco meat mixture into the pie plate and spread evenly.
6. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the taco meat.
7. Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and arrange triangles over the filling, overlapping edges. Press seams together to form a top crust. Crimp the edges.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Let cool slightly before adding your favorite toppings.
10. Cut into slices and serve.

Enjoy Your Delicious Crescent Roll Taco Pie!

This Crescent Roll Taco Pie is a guaranteed winner for busy weeknights or any occasion. Its ease of preparation, customizable ingredients, and delicious flavor make it a go-to recipe for families and individuals alike. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a warm, cheesy, and satisfying meal that everyone will love. Bon appétit!