Sizzling Cheesy Taco Sticks Recipe: Fiesta on a Plate

Crispy, golden cheesy taco sticks emerge as a crowd-pleasing snack that promises pure comfort.

My kitchen always buzzes with excitement when these delectable treats start sizzling.

Friends cannot resist their irresistible blend of melted cheese and zesty seasoning.

Mexican-inspired flavors dance across your palate with each delightful bite.

Crunchy exteriors give way to a warm, gooey center that sparks instant joy.

Weekend gatherings demand something special, and these sticks deliver maximum satisfaction without complicated preparation.

Dive in and create magic that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Cheesy Taco Sticks Are A Crowd Favorite

• Boost Family Meal Fun: Create a playful dinner experience with these handheld taco-inspired sticks that kids and adults will love devouring together.
• Simplify Cooking Process: Combine pre-made pizza dough and ground beef with taco seasoning for a quick, hassle-free meal that requires minimal kitchen skills.
• Customize Flavor Potential: Easily swap ground beef for chicken, turkey, or vegetarian alternatives to match dietary preferences and keep meals exciting.
• Perfect Party Appetizer: Serve these cheesy, golden-brown sticks as a crowd-pleasing finger food for game nights, potlucks, or casual gatherings with friends.

All You Need For Cheesy Taco Sticks

• Ground Beef: A savory protein that serves as the main filling for the taco sticks.
• Pizza Dough: A flexible base that wraps and holds the delicious taco meat and cheese.
• Cheese Sticks: A melty ingredient that adds rich, creamy flavor to the taco sticks.

• Taco Seasoning: A blend of spices that gives the classic taco flavor to the meat.
• Garlic, Minced: A aromatic ingredient that enhances the overall taste of the filling.
• Garlic Powder, Dried Parsley: Seasonings that add extra depth and herbal notes to the butter topping.

• Water: Used to help blend the taco seasoning with the ground beef.
• Butter: A rich ingredient used to create a flavorful and golden-brown topping for the taco sticks.
• Parchment Paper: A non-stick surface that helps prevent the taco sticks from sticking to the baking sheet.

How To Put Together Cheesy Taco Sticks

Step 1: Brown Savory Meat Filling

• Minced garlic
• Taco seasoning
• Water

Stir and simmer until liquid reduces, then remove from heat.

Step 2: Prepare Dough Base

Unroll pizza dough and stretch into a large rectangle. Slice dough into 12 equal squares across two baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Step 3: Create Meat and Cheese Pockets

Spoon taco meat mixture into the center of each dough square. Place half a cheese stick on top of meat filling.

Step 4: Wrap and Seal Rolls

Carefully fold dough edges over filling, pinching seams tightly to prevent leaks. Fold and seal ends securely, positioning each roll seam-side down on baking sheet.

Step 5: Add Flavor Topping

• Garlic powder
• Dried parsley

Brush seasoned butter generously over top of each taco roll.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden

Bake in preheated oven at 425°F for 12-14 minutes until rolls turn puffy and golden brown. Remove and serve immediately while warm.

Best Pointers For Cheesy Taco Sticks

• Seal Tightly: Pinch dough edges firmly to prevent filling from leaking during baking, ensuring a perfect seal on all sides.
• Meat Moisture Management: Drain ground beef completely to avoid soggy taco sticks and maintain a crisp, flaky texture.
• Cheese Placement Trick: Position cheese stick halves centrally on meat filling for even melting and consistent flavor distribution.
• Butter Brush Brilliance: Apply garlic-parsley butter generously before baking to create a golden, flavorful exterior that enhances overall taste.
• Temperature Precision: Use 425°F for optimal browning and ensure pizza dough cooks through without burning the exterior.

Different Styles Of Cheesy Taco Sticks

• Gluten-Free Fiesta Rolls: Replace pizza dough with gluten-free dough or cauliflower wrap, using ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter option.
• Vegetarian Cheese Sticks: Swap ground beef with black beans, roasted vegetables, or meat substitute, keeping the cheesy and seasoned core intact.
• Low-Carb Taco Pockets: Use large lettuce leaves or low-carb tortillas instead of pizza dough, maintaining the taco meat and cheese filling for a lighter meal.
• Spicy Mexican Fusion: Incorporate chorizo instead of ground beef, add jalapeños or green chiles, and sprinkle pepper jack cheese for extra heat and flavor.

What To Eat With Cheesy Taco Sticks

• Flavor Boost Salsa Dip: Whip up a zesty homemade salsa with fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice to complement the cheesy taco sticks' rich, savory profile.
• Cooling Companion Sour Cream: Add a dollop of tangy sour cream or Greek yogurt to balance the spicy, meaty filling and provide a creamy contrast to the crispy dough.
• Perfect Beverage Pairing Mexican Cerveza: Crack open a cold Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo to cut through the richness and enhance the taco-inspired flavors with its crisp, light finish.

How To Keep Cheesy Taco Sticks Fresh

• Store leftover taco sticks in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep them in a single layer to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual taco sticks tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month for best quality.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place taco sticks on a baking sheet and warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through and crispy.
• Reheat for 30-45 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Note that microwaving may soften the crispy exterior, so oven reheating is preferred.

Questions About Cheesy Taco Sticks

• What ingredients make the taco meat flavorful?

Ground beef, taco seasoning, and minced garlic create a savory and well-seasoned meat filling that gives these taco sticks their delicious taste.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a lean protein alternative and will absorb the taco seasoning flavors just as well as ground beef.

• Do I need any special skills to make these taco sticks?

No special cooking skills are required. The recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, making it perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.

• How do I prevent the taco sticks from leaking while baking?

Pinch the dough seams tightly and fold the edges completely over the filling to create a secure seal that prevents the meat and cheese from leaking during baking.

Cheesy Taco Sticks Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering cheesy taco sticks deliver a fiesta of flavors straight from Mexican street cuisine. Crispy tortilla rolls packed with seasoned meat and melted cheese create an irresistible handheld snack you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound lean ground beef

Cheese:

• 12 Colby Jack cheese sticks

Dough and Seasoning:

• 2 cans Pillsbury pizza dough
• 1 package taco seasoning
• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter

Herbs and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Water:

• Water (as directed on taco seasoning package)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 425°F and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Maintain pizza dough chilled until preparation time.
3. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, eliminating excess grease.
4. Incorporate garlic, taco seasoning, and recommended water amount. Simmer until liquid reduces, approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Spread pizza dough on parchment-lined sheet, stretching into a 12×8-inch rectangle. Divide into twelve 4×4-inch squares across two dough sheets.
6. Distribute taco meat centrally on each dough square, leaving modest border around edges.
7. Position half a cheese stick atop meat filling for each square.
8. Carefully encase filling by folding dough edges, pressing seams firmly to prevent leakage. Tuck and seal end sections, positioning each stick seam-side downward on baking sheet.
9. Melt butter and combine with garlic powder and dried parsley. Generously brush mixture across taco stick surfaces.
10. Bake 12-14 minutes until surfaces transform into golden, puffy texture. Serve immediately while warm for optimal enjoyment.

Notes

• Seal taco sticks tightly to prevent filling from leaking during baking, ensuring a clean and neat presentation.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or sharp cheddar to add unique flavor profiles and personalize the dish.
• Use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey for a healthier protein option that maintains the recipe’s delicious taste.
• Prepare extra taco meat mixture and freeze for quick future meal prep, making weeknight dinners faster and more convenient.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 17 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 425 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg