Description
Taco Sticks are a delicious and fun twist on traditional tacos, combining seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and flaky pizza dough baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a snack or party appetizer, these handheld delights are easy to prepare and full of bold, savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 package taco seasoning plus water as called for on envelope
Dough and Cheese
- 2 cans Pillsbury Pizza Dough
- 12 Colby Jack cheese sticks (cut in half)
Butter Topping
- 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 non-stick baking.
- Cook beef: In a frying pan over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until thoroughly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat to keep the meat mixture lean.
- Season beef: Add the minced garlic, taco seasoning, and the amount of water specified on the seasoning package to the beef. Cook on high heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring until the water evaporates and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
- Prepare dough: Keep the pizza dough refrigerated until ready to use. Remove from cans and unroll each on the parchment paper. Shape into a 12×8-inch rectangle. Cut each tube’s dough into 6 equal pieces, totaling 12 pieces each about 4×4 inches.
- Assemble taco sticks: Spoon approximately 3 tablespoons of the seasoned beef mixture into the center of each dough rectangle. Place a halved cheese stick on top of the meat. Fold the dough sides up and pinch the edges securely, folding ends upward to one side, ensuring the dough isn’t stretched to maintain puffiness. Place each assembled stick seam-side down on the baking sheets.
- Prepare butter topping: Melt the butter in the microwave, then stir in garlic powder and dried parsley. Using a pastry brush or spoon, evenly coat each taco stick with the butter mixture for added flavor and a golden finish.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes until the taco sticks are puffed and lightly browned on top.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these tasty taco sticks warm as a satisfying snack or appetizer.
Notes
- Be careful not to stretch the dough too much while sealing to ensure the sticks puff up properly.
- You can substitute Colby Jack cheese sticks with mozzarella or cheddar if desired.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or use spicy taco seasoning.
- These taco sticks can be refrigerated before baking and baked fresh when ready to serve.
- Serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco stick
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
