1-First, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 triangles, then press the dough over the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 10-inch pie plate or 9-inch square baking dish to form a crust.

2-Next, in a 10-inch skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it apart and stirring occasionally until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat from the meat to keep things light.

3-Stir in 3/4 cup of thick and chunky salsa and 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning mix, then let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. This step builds the flavors that make the dish so appealing.

4-Spoon the meat mixture into the crust-lined dish and sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.

5-Bake for 14 to 17 minutes or until the crust is deep golden brown and the cheese is melted. Remember, you can assemble the dish up to one hour before baking to avoid a soggy crust, which is a helpful tip for meal prep.

6-Finally, serve the bake topped with diced white onion, diced Roma tomatoes, and chopped fresh cilantro as desired. For dietary tweaks, substitute with plant-based options in the meat mixture if needed.