Description
Cheesy Taco Sticks are a fun and flavorful appetizer or snack featuring seasoned ground beef and melty cheese wrapped in golden, buttery pizza dough. These handheld treats are perfect for parties, game day, or a tasty family snack, baked to crispy perfection with a garlic parsley butter glaze.
Ingredients
Main 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)
For the Topping
- 4 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) and lightly coat a large baking sheet with non-stick spray. This ensures even baking and prevents sticking.
- 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, return the skillet to the stovetop, then stir in the taco seasoning packet without adding water. Mix until the beef is fully coated with seasoning. Remove from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature to make handling easier.
- Prepare the Pizza Dough: Roll out the pizza dough flat on a clean surface. Cut it lengthwise in half, then cut four pieces up and down each half, creating a total of 10 small rectangular pieces perfect for rolling.
- Assemble the Taco Sticks: Place about a tablespoon or more of the cooled taco meat in the center of each dough rectangle. Top each with a halved cheese stick. Carefully roll up each piece of dough, making sure to pinch all seams closed to keep the filling inside during baking.
- Brush with Garlic Butter and Bake: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Brush this flavorful mixture on top of each rolled taco stick. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the dough is golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot. These cheesy taco sticks can be enjoyed on their own or with your favorite taco toppings like salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
Notes
- Allow the cooked taco meat to cool before assembling to prevent the dough from becoming soggy.
- Make sure to pinch the dough seams tightly to avoid cheese or filling leaking out while baking.
- For an extra kick, add diced jalapeños to the taco meat before assembling.
- These sticks can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
- Homemade taco seasoning can be used as a substitute for the packet if preferred.
