When you need a warm, handheld starter from standard grocery staples, this four-ingredient bake assembles quickly in a single pan. Ground beef cooks on the stovetop, drains, and gets layered over unrolled crescent dough with cream cheese and mozzarella before baking into twelve warm squares.
Servings: 12 appetizer servings
Why This Four-Ingredient Bake Fits an Appetizer Spread
Baking everything in one 9×13-inch pan yields 12 individual appetizer portions using just four items: ground beef, a tube of crescent dough, cream cheese, and shredded mozzarella.
How the Crescent Crust and Cheese Layers Work Together
Pinching the seams of the crescent dough together forms a solid, cohesive crust across the bottom of the pan. Spreading softened cream cheese over the raw dough creates an even base for the browned ground beef, while the shredded mozzarella melts over the top during baking to hold the meat in place.
Ingredients for Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Beef Stratford
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough, about 8 ounces
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Make It: Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Beef Stratford
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a metal 9×13-inch sheet-style baking pan or casserole dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it up into small crumbles as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease and let the beef cool for a few minutes.
- Unroll the crescent dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, pinching the seams together to form a solid crust.
- Spread the softened cream cheese over the dough as evenly as you can, then spoon the cooked ground beef over the top and finish with an even layer of shredded mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is golden around the edges and the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let the pan rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into squares and serving warm.
Tips for Clean Assembly and Slicing
Drain the browned ground beef thoroughly and let it cool for a few minutes before assembling so excess grease does not pool on the cream cheese. Be sure to let the baked dish rest for 5 to 10 minutes out of the oven so the melted cheese sets slightly, making it much easier to cut into neat squares.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of pan should be used for baking?
Use a metal 9×13-inch sheet-style baking pan or a casserole dish, lightly greased before pressing the crescent dough into the bottom.
How do you know when it is done baking?
Bake at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crescent crust is golden along the edges and the mozzarella is completely melted and lightly browned.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields 12 appetizer servings when cut into squares.
Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Beef Stratford Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a metal 9×13-inch sheet-style baking pan or casserole dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it up into small crumbles as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease and let the beef cool for a few minutes.
- Unroll the crescent dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, pinching the seams together to form a solid crust.
- Spread the softened cream cheese over the dough as evenly as you can, then spoon the cooked ground beef over the top and finish with an even layer of shredded mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is golden around the edges and the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let the pan rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into squares and serving warm.
