Cheesy Taco Sticks Recipe

Introduction

Cheesy Taco Sticks are a fun and delicious twist on traditional tacos. Filled with seasoned ground beef and melty cheese, these handheld treats are perfect for parties or a cozy night in. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or homemade taco seasoning)
• 1 tube Pillsbury Pizza Dough
• 5 colby jack and cheddar cheese sticks (halved)
• 4 tbsp butter (melted)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly coat a large baking sheet with non-stick spray and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until fully browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat.
3. Step 3: Return the skillet to the stove, mix in the taco seasoning packet without adding water, and stir until the beef is fully coated. Remove from heat and let the meat cool to room temperature.
4. Step 4: Roll out the pizza dough until flat. Cut it in half lengthwise, then make 4 cuts across the width to create 10 small rectangles.
5. Step 5: Place about a tablespoon of taco meat in the center of each dough rectangle. Top each with a halved cheese stick, then carefully roll up the dough, pinching all seams closed to seal.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Brush this mixture over the tops of the rolled sticks.
7. Step 7: Arrange the sticks on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Serve hot with your favorite taco toppings.

Tips & Variations

• For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
• Swap the colby jack and cheddar cheese sticks with mozzarella or pepper jack for a different flavor.
• Try brushing the tops with a little salsa mixed into the butter for a tangy twist.
• If you prefer homemade taco seasoning, use a mix of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.

Storage

Store leftover cheesy taco sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 5-7 minutes to keep them crispy, or microwave for 30-60 seconds if short on time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of dough for this recipe?

Yes, you can use crescent roll dough or biscuit dough as alternatives, but baking times may vary slightly.

Is it okay to prepare the taco meat ahead of time?

Absolutely! Cooking and seasoning the beef a day ahead will save time and allow flavors to develop. Just keep it refrigerated until ready to assemble.

Cheesy Taco Sticks Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 115 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 10 cheesy taco sticks 1x

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Description

Cheesy Taco Sticks are a delicious and easy-to-make snack featuring seasoned ground beef and melty colby jack and cheddar cheese wrapped in pillowy pizza dough. These flavorful bites are brushed with a garlic parsley butter and baked to golden perfection, making them perfect for game days, parties, or casual family dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Taco Meat

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

For the Dough and Filling

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

For the Topping

• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried parsley

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Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a large baking sheet by lightly coating it with non-stick spray. This ensures your cheesy taco sticks won’t stick during baking.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned and fully crumbled. Drain excess fat. Return the skillet to the stovetop and stir in the taco seasoning packet without adding water, coating the beef evenly. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
3. Prepare the Dough: Roll out the tube of Pillsbury pizza dough flat on a clean surface. Cut it lengthwise in half, then make 4 cuts up and down the length to create 10 small rectangular pieces.
4. 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 half of a colby jack and cheddar cheese stick. Carefully roll up the dough around the filling, pinching the seams tightly to seal the cheesy taco sticks well.
5. Add Garlic Butter Topping: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Brush this flavorful mixture generously over the tops of the assembled taco sticks for a golden and aromatic crust.
6. Bake: Place the cheesy taco sticks on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top and the cheese inside melts perfectly.
7. Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot, optionally accompanied by your favorite taco toppings like salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for added flavor.

Notes

• Make sure the taco meat cools before assembling to prevent the dough from getting soggy.
• You can substitute the cheese sticks with your favorite shredded cheese for a different texture.
• These can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving.
• For a spicier kick, add some chopped jalapeños to the filling.
• Use homemade taco seasoning to control sodium and additives.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: Cheesy taco sticks, taco snacks, baked taco rolls, ground beef appetizers, easy taco recipe