Cheesy Taco Sticks Recipe
Cheesy Taco Sticks are a delicious and fun twist on traditional tacos, combining seasoned ground beef with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese wrapped in crispy, golden pizza dough twists. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, these cheesy taco sticks are served with salsa and sour cream for dipping and are quick to prepare and bake.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 cheesy taco sticks 1x
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion
- Diet: Halal
For the Dough and Filling
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
For Topping and Serving
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salsa for dipping
- Sour cream for dipping
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking your cheesy taco sticks.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the taco seasoning according to the packet instructions. Set the seasoned beef aside to cool slightly.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the refrigerated pizza dough into a large rectangle for easy filling and folding.
- Assemble the Filling: Spread the cooked taco meat evenly over one half of the dough rectangle. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the meat to create a cheesy layer.
- Fold and Seal: Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, pressing the edges firmly to seal the stuffed dough completely, preventing any filling from leaking out during baking.
- Cut and Twist: Cut the stuffed dough into strips about 1 inch wide. Carefully twist each strip and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Add Butter and Garlic Powder: Brush the tops of the twisted sticks with the melted butter, then sprinkle garlic powder over them for extra flavor and a golden finish.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the sticks are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve the cheesy taco sticks warm with salsa and sour cream for dipping.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- If preferred, add diced jalapeños inside for a spicy kick.
- Use low-fat cheese to reduce the calorie content.
- Make sure to seal edges well to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
- Serve immediately for the best texture; store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco stick
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Cheesy taco sticks, taco appetizer, cheesy snack, pizza dough recipe, easy party food, taco twist, ground beef recipe