Description

Cheesy Taco Sticks combine the savory flavors of seasoned ground beef and melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses wrapped in crispy, golden pizza dough twists. Perfect as a fun appetizer or snack, these sticks are easy to prepare and served with salsa and sour cream for dipping.

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 Topping

1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

For Serving

Salsa for dipping
Sour cream for dipping

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the taco sticks.
Cook beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat, then stir in the taco seasoning according to package directions. Remove from heat and set aside.
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 dough. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat layer.
Fold and seal: Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and press the edges firmly to seal, preventing the filling from leaking out during baking.
Cut and twist: Cut the stuffed dough into approximately 1-inch-wide strips. Twist each strip gently and place them spaced apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Brush and season: Brush the tops of each twisted stick with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder to add flavor and promote browning.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sticks are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving with salsa and sour cream for dipping.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Make sure to seal the dough edges well to prevent cheese and meat from leaking during baking.
For extra flavor, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or green onions on top after baking.
To make this recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free pizza dough alternative.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Keywords: cheesy taco sticks, taco appetizers, pizza dough snacks, cheesy twisted bread, taco meat recipe, baked snacks, easy appetizers