Description
These Cheesy Taco Sticks are a deliciously fun twist on traditional tacos, combining seasoned ground beef, melty Colby Jack cheese, and fluffy pizza dough baked to golden perfection. Perfect for parties, game day, or a savory snack that pleases the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 package taco seasoning
- Water as called for on the taco seasoning package
Dough and Filling
- 2 cans Pillsbury Pizza Dough
- 12 Colby Jack cheese sticks
Butter Coating
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes until fully browned. Drain any excess fat to keep the filling lean and flavorful.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, and the amount of water as specified on the taco seasoning package. Cook on high heat for 2-3 minutes until the water evaporates and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Dough: Remove the pizza dough from the cans and refrigerator. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, unroll each dough tube and shape into a 12×8 inch rectangle. Cut each rectangle into 6 equal pieces about 4×4 inches each, giving you a total of 12 dough squares.
- Assemble Taco Sticks: Place approximately 3 tablespoons of the beef mixture in the center of each dough square. Cut each cheese stick in half and place one half on top of the beef filling.
- Seal Taco Sticks: Carefully bring the sides of the dough up and pinch them together to seal around the filling. Then pinch the ends and fold them up toward the pinched center seam. Be careful not to overstretch the dough in order to maintain a fluffy, pastry-like texture. Position each stick seam-side down on the baking sheets.
- Prepare Butter Coating: Melt the unsalted butter in the microwave. Stir in garlic powder and dried parsley. Using a pastry brush or spoon, evenly coat each taco stick with the buttery mixture to enhance flavor and browning.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, until the tops of the sticks are lightly browned and the dough is fully cooked through.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the taco sticks from becoming soggy.
- You can substitute Colby Jack cheese sticks with mozzarella or cheddar cheese sticks if preferred.
- If you don’t have taco seasoning, you can make your own blend using chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.
- Ensure the dough is sealed well to avoid any filling leakage during baking.
- For a crispier crust, you may brush an additional layer of melted butter halfway through baking.
