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Cheesy Taco Sticks Recipe

4.4 from 79 reviews

Cheesy Taco Sticks are a delicious and fun twist on traditional tacos, combining seasoned ground beef, melty cheese sticks, and soft pizza dough baked to golden perfection. These handheld treats are perfect for a family dinner, game day snack, or casual get-together, offering a flavorful experience with a crispy, buttery garlic topping.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Filling

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or homemade taco seasoning)

Dough and Cheese

  • 1 tube Pillsbury Pizza Dough
  • 5 colby jack and cheddar cheese sticks (halved)

Topping

  • 4 tbsp butter (melted)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the taco sticks.
  2. Prepare Baking Sheet: Lightly coat a large baking sheet with non-stick spray and set it aside to prevent sticking during baking.
  3. Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until fully browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat for a leaner filling. Return the skillet to the stovetop and stir in the taco seasoning packet (without adding water), mixing until the beef is completely coated. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature to make handling easier.
  4. Prepare the Dough: Spread the pizza dough flat on a clean surface. Cut the dough lengthwise in half and then make 4 vertical cuts, resulting in 10 small rectangular pieces.
  5. Assemble the Taco Sticks: Place about a tablespoon (or more) of the seasoned taco meat in the center of each dough rectangle. Top each with a halved cheese stick. Carefully roll each piece up, ensuring to pinch all seams closed tightly to prevent filling from leaking out during baking.
  6. Apply the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Using a brush, generously coat the tops of each rolled taco stick with this mixture to enhance flavor and help achieve a golden-brown crust.
  7. Bake: Place the prepared taco sticks onto the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
  8. Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the cheesy taco sticks hot, optionally with your favorite taco toppings such as salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the taco meat mixture.
  • You can substitute the pizza dough with crescent roll dough if preferred.
  • Ensure seams are well sealed to prevent cheese and meat from leaking out during baking.
  • Leftover taco sticks can be reheated in the oven at 350°F for 8 minutes to retain crispiness.
  • Serve with sides like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping.

Keywords: Cheesy Taco Sticks, taco snack, baked tacos, easy family dinner, stuffed pizza dough, ground beef recipe, taco bites