Description

Cheesy Taco Sticks are a delicious, crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer featuring seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and flaky pizza dough baked to golden perfection. These handheld sticks combine the savory flavors of taco meat with gooey colby jack and cheddar cheese, all wrapped in a buttery, garlic-parsley brushed crust. Perfect for parties, game day, or a fun family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Filling

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

For the Dough & Cheese

1 tube Pillsbury Pizza Dough
5 colby jack and cheddar cheese sticks, halved (10 pieces)

For the Topping

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

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and allow it to fully preheat while you prepare the other ingredients. This ensures even baking and a golden finish.
Prepare the Baking Sheet: Lightly coat a large baking sheet with non-stick spray to prevent sticking. Set aside for later use.
Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until fully browned and crumbled. Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet and return it to the stovetop.
Season the Taco Meat: Add the taco seasoning mix (without water) to the cooked beef. Stir until the meat is well coated with the seasoning, then remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature to avoid overheating the dough.
Prepare the Dough: Roll out the Pillsbury pizza dough on a flat surface until it’s even and flat. Cut the dough in half lengthwise and then make four additional cuts crosswise to create 10 equal rectangles.
Fill and Roll the Taco Sticks: Place about 1 tablespoon of the seasoned taco meat in the center of each dough rectangle. Top each with a halved cheese stick, then carefully roll up each rectangle around the filling, pinching all seams together to seal completely.
Prepare the Butter Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the prepared taco sticks for extra flavor and sheen.
Bake: Arrange the taco sticks seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Serve: Remove the taco sticks from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy hot, optionally with your favorite taco toppings or dipping sauces.

Notes

Allow the seasoned meat to cool before filling the dough to avoid making the dough sticky or difficult to handle.
Pinch all seams of the dough tightly to prevent filling leakage during baking.
You can substitute the taco seasoning with homemade seasoning (chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper) for a fresher taste.
Serve with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or your favorite taco sauce for extra flavor.
For a crispier crust, brush the taco sticks with an egg wash before baking in addition to the butter topping.
These taco sticks are best served fresh but can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.

Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-American