Stuffed Cheesy Taco Sticks – A mouthwatering appetizer. That combines taco-seasoned beef, melty cheese, and golden pizza dough. These handheld treats. Are perfect for parties, and game nights. Or a simple family dinner. With taco meat, cheese, and a buttery garlic finish. They’ll be gone in minutes!
The first time I made these Stuffed Cheesy Taco Sticks. Was on a busy weeknight. When my husband and child. Were craving something fun. And flavorful. I wanted to astonish them. With something new. And these taco sticks were the answer! The best part. Was watching their faces light up. When they took their first cheesy, savory bite. They loved dipping them. In sour cream and salsa – it was an instant hit!
What makes this Stuffed Cheesy Taco Sticks truly stand out?
What makes this recipe stand out? Is its simplicity. And versatility. You get all the bold flavors of a taco. But in a fun, portable form. The golden, buttery crust. Pairs perfectly with the gooey cheese. And taco-seasoned beef inside. Plus, you can customize the toppings. Or serve them with your favorite dips. Making this a terrific recipe. For parties, snacks. Or even a weeknight treat.
What You Need To Make This Stuffed Cheesy Taco Sticks Recipe?
Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for less grease. Or swap it out for ground turkey or chicken. If you want a lighter version.
Taco Seasoning: Whether you use store-bought. Or homemade taco seasoning. This is what gives the beef. That classic taco flavor. Adjust the spice level. To your preference!
Cheese Sticks: I went with a Colby jack and cheddar blend. But you can switch things up. With pepper jack if you like a little heat. Or mozzarella for extra melty goodness.
Pizza Dough: Store-bought pizza dough. Is a quick. And easy option. But homemade dough works too. If you’re feeling adventurous!
Steps To Make Stuffed Cheesy Taco Sticks:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. And lightly spray. A large baking sheet. With non-stick spray. This helps the cheesy taco sticks. Come out perfectly golden. Without sticking to the pan.
Step 2: Heat a skillet. Over medium heat. And cook the ground beef. Breaking it apart. With a wooden spoon. Once it’s fully browned. And crumbled. Drain any excess fat. To keep things light. Stir in the taco seasoning (no water needed!). And let it coat. The meat evenly. Set it aside. To cool – you don’t want. To burn your fingers. While assembling these!
Step 3: Roll out the pizza dough. On a clean surface. And cut it. In half lengthwise. Then, cut each half. Into five smaller rectangles. So you end up. With 10 dough pieces. Perfect for wrapping up. All that cheesy goodness.
Step 4: Now for the fun part: spoon some taco meat. Onto each piece of dough. Add half a cheese stick on top. And then carefully. Roll it up. Tucking in the sides. Pinch all the seams. Tightly closed – we want to keep that cheese. Right where it belongs!
Step 5: In a small bowl. Mix together the melted butter. With garlic powder, and parsley. Brush this garlicy goodness. All over the taco sticks. Before baking.
Step 6: Bake for 10-12 minutes. Or until the taco sticks. Are crispy and golden brown. Serve immediately. With your favorite taco toppings. And enjoy every gooey, cheesy bite!
Tip:
To make sure your cheese doesn’t ooze out. Too much while baking. Pinch the dough edges together really well. Also, let the taco meat cool slightly. Before stuffing the dough – hot meat will melt the cheese too fast. If you’re a dip-lover. Serve these taco sticks With salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. For extra flavor! For a fun twist. Sprinkle some crushed tortilla chips on top. Before baking. For extra crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the taco sticks. And keep them refrigerated. For a few hours before baking. Just brush with butter. And bake. When you’re ready.
What other cheese can I use?
Feel free to switch it up! Mozzarella, pepper jack. Or even a Mexican cheese blend. Will work great for these sticks.
Can I freeze these taco sticks?
Absolutely! Bake them first. Let them cool. And then freeze. Reheat in the oven. When ready to serve!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Stuffed Cheesy Taco Sticks
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning or use your homemade blend
- 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough
- 5 Colby jack and cheddar cheese sticks cut in half
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. And lightly grease. A large baking sheet. With non-stick spray.
- In a skillet. Over medium heat. Cook the ground beef. Breaking it up. As it browns. Once fully cooked. And crumbled. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning (no water needed). Until the beef. Is well-coated. Then set it aside. To cool slightly.
- Roll out the pizza dough. And slice it. In half lengthwise. Then cut across. To create 10 small rectangles. Add a spoonful of the seasoned beef. To each rectangle. Place half a cheese stick on top. And roll them up tightly. Pinching the edges. To seal.
- In a small bowl. Combine the melted butter. With garlic powder, and parsley. Brush this mixture. Over the rolled taco sticks. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Or until they turn golden brown. Serve warm. With your favorite taco toppings!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!