Savory Baked Crepe Casserole with Beef and Cheese

This Savory Baked Crepe Casserole combines soft, delicate crepes layered with a rich, seasoned beef filling and creamy béchamel sauce, all topped with melty mozzarella cheese. It’s a delicious and comforting dish, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

For the Crepes

• 3 eggs
• Salt, to taste
• 600 ml (2½ cups) milk (added in portions)
• 240 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil, for cooking

For the Béchamel Sauce

• 40 g (3 tbsp) butter
• 30 g (¼ cup) flour
• 500 ml (2 cups) milk
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Beef Filling

• 40 g (3 tbsp) butter
• Vegetable oil, for sautéing
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 700 g (1.5 lbs) minced beef
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Dried ground sweet paprika, to taste
• 50 g (3 tbsp) tomato sauce

For the Topping

• 150 g (1½ cups) hard mozzarella cheese, grated

Directions

1. Prepare the Crepes

• In a bowl, whisk eggs and salt until combined.
• Gradually add milk in portions, mixing well.
• Sift in flour and whisk until smooth, lump-free batter forms.
• Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and lightly grease with vegetable oil.
• Pour a small ladle of batter into the pan, swirling to coat evenly.
• Cook for 1-2 minutes, then flip and cook for another 30 seconds.
• Repeat until all batter is used, stacking crepes on a plate.

2. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce

• In a saucepan, melt 40 g butter over medium heat.
• Stir in 30 g flour, whisking constantly for 1 minute.
• Gradually pour in 500 ml milk, whisking continuously.
• Cook until thickened, then season with salt and black pepper.
• Set aside.

3. Prepare the Beef Filling

• Heat butter and vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Sauté onion until softened.
• Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
• Add minced beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned.
• Stir in chopped tomatoes, salt, black pepper, paprika, and tomato sauce.
• Simmer for 5-7 minutes, then remove from heat.

4. Assemble the Casserole

• Preheat the oven to 180°C (355°F).
• Lightly grease a baking dish with vegetable oil.
• Place a layer of crepes at the bottom.
• Spread a portion of the beef filling, then drizzle some béchamel sauce.
• Repeat layering until all crepes and filling are used.
• Pour remaining béchamel sauce on top.
• Sprinkle generously with grated mozzarella cheese.

5. Bake the Casserole

• Bake for 35 minutes at 180°C (355°F) until golden brown and bubbly.
• Let cool slightly before slicing.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a fresh green salad.
• Drizzle with garlic yogurt sauce or sour cream.
• Pair with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.

Cooking Tips

• For extra richness, add grated Parmesan to the béchamel sauce.
• For a spicier version, add chili flakes to the beef filling.
• For more layers, cut crepes in half and overlap when layering.

Nutritional Benefits

• High in protein from eggs, beef, and cheese.
• Rich in essential vitamins from tomatoes and onions.
• Balanced combination of carbs, fats, and proteins.

Dietary Information

• Not vegetarian (contains beef).
• Can be made gluten-free using gluten-free flour for crepes and béchamel sauce.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving, Approx.)

• Calories: 480
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fat: 25g

Storage

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: Freeze in portions for up to 1 month; reheat before serving.
• Reheating: Warm in an oven at 160°C (320°F) for 10 minutes or microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Layers of creamy, cheesy, and savory goodness
✔ Perfect comfort food for family dinners
✔ Great for meal prep and reheating
✔ Delicious balance of textures and flavors

Conclusion

This Savory Baked Crepe Casserole is a hearty, cheesy, and flavorful dish, combining the delicacy of crepes with a rich, seasoned beef filling and a creamy béchamel sauce. Whether for a cozy dinner or a special gathering, this casserole is sure to impress! Try it today and enjoy a comforting homemade meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use chicken instead of beef? Yes! Ground chicken or turkey works great.
• Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! Assemble and refrigerate, then bake before serving.
• Can I add more vegetables? Absolutely! Try adding spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers.
• Can I use store-bought crepes? Yes! Pre-made crepes save time.
• Can I use a different cheese? Yes! Gouda, cheddar, or Parmesan work well.
• How do I prevent soggy layers? Let the beef filling cool slightly before layering.
• Can I add a crunchy topping? Yes! Sprinkle breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan before baking.
• What if I don’t have béchamel sauce? You can use a mix of cream and cheese instead.
• How do I make it low-carb? Use almond flour crepes instead.
• Can I reheat leftovers? Yes! Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm.