Description
Savory cheesy taco sticks deliver a mouthwatering Mexican-inspired snack that combines crispy edges with gooey melted cheese. Packed with zesty flavors and perfect for game day or casual gatherings, you’ll love these handheld delights that bring excitement to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup taco seasoning
Cheese Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Dough and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick preparation.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles and thoroughly cooking until no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the beef and mix in taco seasoning, ensuring the meat is evenly coated and flavorful.
- Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough on a clean surface and stretch it gently into a rectangular shape.
- Sprinkle a combination of cheddar and mozzarella cheese across the entire surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Distribute the seasoned ground beef evenly over the cheese layer, creating a consistent meat coverage.
- Carefully roll the dough from the long side, creating a tight cylinder that encases the cheese and meat.
- Slice the rolled dough into 1-inch thick sections, creating individual taco sticks.
- Arrange the taco sticks on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- Brush the tops of the sticks with olive oil and sprinkle with dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the dough turns golden brown and the cheese begins to bubble and ooze.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, leaner protein option that keeps the flavor profile intact.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or Mexican-style shredded cheese to add extra kick and complexity to the taco sticks.
- For gluten-free adaptation, use gluten-free pizza dough or replace with almond flour-based dough to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Enhance meal prep by assembling taco sticks ahead of time and freezing before baking, creating a convenient make-ahead dinner solution that saves time and reduces weeknight stress.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg