Introduction

Cheesy Taco Sticks are a fun and flavorful twist on classic Mexican-inspired flavors wrapped in crispy, golden dough. Perfect for parties or a quick snack, these cheesy, seasoned treats come with a delicious dipping sauce that everyone will love.

The image shows four baked ground beef-filled bread rolls arranged closely on a white plate, each roll golden brown and shiny on top with melted cheese. One roll is open at the end, revealing a dark brown, crumbly ground beef filling inside. Small green herb pieces are sprinkled on top of the rolls as garnish. In the background, a small white bowl contains bright red salsa sauce, with some green herbs sprinkled on it. The surface underneath is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 can refrigerated pizza dough
1/2 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salsa and sour cream for dipping

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat and stir in the taco seasoning according to the packet directions. Set aside.
Step 3: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle.
Step 4: Spread the cooked taco meat evenly over one half of the dough. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the meat.
Step 5: Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, pressing the edges firmly to seal.
Step 6: Cut the stuffed dough into strips about 1 inch wide. Twist each strip and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 7: Brush the tops of the twisted sticks with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder.
Step 8: Bake for 15–20 minutes until the sticks are golden brown and crispy.
Step 9: Serve warm with salsa and sour cream for dipping.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add chopped jalapeños or a sprinkle of cumin to the taco meat.
Use your favorite shredded cheese blend, like pepper jack for a spicy kick.
Try swapping ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.

Storage

Store leftover taco sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 to 7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep the dough from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of six rolled, golden-brown cheesy meat sticks placed closely on a wooden board, with one of the sticks being pulled apart by a woman's hand, stretching melted, gooey yellow cheese between them. The rolls have a crispy texture outside with visible small browned spots and a filling that looks like seasoned ground meat inside. The cheese is bright yellow and stringy, filling the inside of the rolls and stretching outward, making the dish look very warm and fresh. The background is a soft white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these taco sticks ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sticks up to the twisting step, then refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Bring them to room temperature before baking for the best results.

What else can I serve with cheesy taco sticks?

They pair wonderfully with guacamole, pico de gallo, or a fresh green salad to balance the richness.

Cheesy Taco Sticks Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.7 from 63 reviews

Cheesy Taco Sticks are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or snack featuring seasoned ground beef and a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses wrapped in soft pizza dough. Twisted into fun shapes and baked to golden perfection, these sticks are perfect for dipping in salsa and sour cream.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 8 sticks 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough and Filling

1 can refrigerated pizza dough
1/2 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

For the Topping

1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

For Serving

Salsa
Sour cream

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the taco sticks.
Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning according to the packet instructions, then set aside the seasoned meat.
Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the refrigerated pizza dough into a large rectangle to prepare for filling.
Add Filling: Spread the cooked taco meat evenly over one half of the rolled-out dough. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly on top of the meat layer.
Fold and Seal: Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, creating a filled dough rectangle. Press the edges firmly to seal the filling inside so nothing leaks out during baking.
Cut and Twist: Cut the stuffed dough into strips about 1 inch wide. Twist each strip several times and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Apply Topping: Brush the tops of the twisted sticks with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder to add flavor and help in browning.
Bake: Bake the sticks in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
Serve: Serve your cheesy taco sticks warm with salsa and sour cream for dipping.

Notes

Use a pizza dough with good elasticity to prevent tearing when folding and twisting.
Drain excess fat from the cooked beef to avoid soggy dough.
You can customize the cheese blend by adding pepper jack for a spicy kick.
Ensure the strips are well sealed to keep the filling inside during baking.
Serve immediately for the best taste and texture, but leftovers can be reheated in the oven.

Keywords: cheesy taco sticks, taco appetizer, pizza dough snack, ground beef snack, cheesy twist bread, easy party snack, baked taco sticks