Description
Halloween Icky Intestines are a fun and spooky twist on stuffed crescent rolls, perfect for a festive Halloween snack or appetizer. Ground turkey, sautéed peppers and onions, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella are wrapped in flaky crescent dough, shaped into eerie winding intestines, brushed with garlic butter, and baked to golden perfection. A touch of extra marinara sauce gives a delightfully “bloody” appearance, making this recipe both delicious and visually impressive for any Halloween gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon season salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup marinara pasta sauce, plus more for brushing
Crescent Rolls
- 2 tubes crescent roll sheets
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella, plus more for topping
Garlic Butter
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red onion and red bell pepper, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Cook Ground Turkey: Add ground turkey to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Season with garlic powder, season salt, and dried oregano.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Stir in 1 cup marinara pasta sauce, then remove the skillet from heat and let the mixture cool slightly to make it easier to handle when assembling.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Cut Crescent Dough: Roll out the crescent dough sheets and cut each sheet into 3 long strips, for a total of 6 strips to work with.
- Fill Crescent Rolls: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella down the center of each dough strip, then spoon the turkey filling on top. Bring the sides of the dough up around the filling and pinch the edges tightly to seal in the filling.
- Shape the Intestines: On the prepared baking sheet, twist and arrange the stuffed crescent rolls in a wavy, winding pattern to mimic the appearance of intestines. Leave some space between them as they will expand while baking.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with garlic powder. Brush this garlic butter mixture generously over the shaped crescent rolls to add flavor and promote browning.
- Bake the Rolls: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until they begin to turn golden brown.
- Apply Bloody Sauce: Remove the rolls from the oven and lightly brush them with extra marinara sauce to give a “bloody” and spooky appearance fitting for Halloween.
- Add Leftover Filling and Cheese: Arrange any leftover turkey filling around the baked rolls on the baking sheet, sprinkle extra shredded mozzarella on top.
- Bake Again: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the rolls are golden brown and the cheese has melted completely.
- Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve the Halloween Icky Intestines warm for the best flavor and texture. Enjoy your spooky, delicious treat!
Notes
- Use ground turkey for a leaner filling or substitute with ground beef or chicken if preferred.
- Make sure to pinch the crescent dough edges well to prevent leakage of filling during baking.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the turkey with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based meat alternative.
- The marinara sauce brush adds a fun visual effect but can be omitted if desired.
- Leftover filling can be used as a dipping sauce or added to pasta for a quick meal.
