Description
Cheesy Taco Sticks are a fun and satisfying twist on taco night, combining seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and soft pizza dough into hand-held, dippable sticks. These are perfect as a party appetizer, after-school snack, or quick dinner everyone will love. They’re crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and full of bold Tex-Mex flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
½ cup salsa
1 tube refrigerated pizza dough
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
1 tablespoon melted butter
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Optional: sour cream or guacamole for dipping
Instructions
1 Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2 In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and salsa. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Let it cool for a few minutes.
3 Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle. Cut the dough into 6 to 8 equal pieces, depending on the size you want.
4 Spoon a portion of the taco meat onto the center of each piece of dough, then top with shredded cheese.
5 Fold the sides of the dough over the filling and pinch to seal, forming a log or stick shape. Place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
6 Brush each stick with beaten egg for a golden finish.
7 Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
8 While they bake, mix the melted butter with garlic powder and oregano. As soon as the taco sticks come out of the oven, brush them with the seasoned butter.
9 Let them cool slightly before serving with sour cream or guacamole.
Notes
You can customize these taco sticks with your favorite fillings, such as black beans, jalapeños, or pepper jack cheese. Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results. These also freeze well, making them a great make-ahead snack or lunchbox option.