1. 1. Brown the Meat and Saute the Onion: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat. Break up the beef with a spoon as it cooks. Continue until the beef is fully browned and the onion is softened and translucent. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.

2. 2. Simmer the Flavorful Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their liquid), Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the skillet with the cooked beef and onion. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the sauce to thicken slightly.

3. 3. Prepare the Crescent Roll Base: While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). Unroll the crescent roll dough onto a baking sheet. You can either leave it as one large rectangle (pressing the seams together to seal them) or separate it into individual triangles. If using a large rectangle, ensure the seams are firmly pinched together so the filling doesn’t leak out.

4. 4. Assemble the Dish: Spoon the warm meat sauce evenly over the crescent roll dough. Make sure to leave a small border around the edges if you’re using a single rectangle, or fill each triangle if you’ve separated them.

5. 5. Add the Cheesy Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the meat sauce. The cheese should cover the sauce completely, creating a delicious, melty layer.

6. 6. Bake Until Golden and Bubbly: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crescent roll dough is golden brown and cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The edges of the crescent rolls should appear puffed and lightly browned.

7. 7. Cool Slightly Before Serving: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This brief cooling period helps the cheese set slightly and makes it easier to cut into neat portions.