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Taco Sticks Recipe

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4 from 3 reviews

These Taco Sticks are a delightful handheld treat featuring seasoned ground beef, melted Colby Jack cheese, and flaky pizza dough, baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a snack or party appetizer, they combine bold taco flavors with cheesy goodness wrapped in buttery dough for a crowd-pleasing dish.

Ingredients

For the Filling

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 package taco seasoning (plus water called for on the envelope)

For the Dough and Cheese

  • 2 tubes Pillsbury pizza dough
  • 12 Colby Jack cheese sticks

For the Topping

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Prepare dough: Keep the tubes of pizza dough refrigerated until ready to use to maintain freshness and manage handling ease.
  3. Cook beef: In a frying pan over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat to keep the filling lean and flavorful.
  4. Season beef: Add minced garlic, the taco seasoning packet, and the required amount of water as indicated on the seasoning package to the cooked beef. Stir well and cook on high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the liquid to evaporate and flavors to concentrate. Remove from heat.
  5. Shape dough: Remove pizza dough from cans and unroll on the parchment paper. Using your hands, shape each tube into a 12 x 8-inch rectangle and cut each into 6 equal rectangles (4 x 4 inches), totaling 12 pieces.
  6. Assemble taco sticks: Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the prepared meat mixture onto the center of each dough rectangle. Cut each cheese stick in half and place a half on top of the meat.
  7. Seal dough: Pull up the sides of the dough around the filling and pinch the edges together securely. Then pinch each end closed, folding the ends up to meet the center seam. Place each formed taco stick seam side down on the prepared baking sheets.
  8. Prepare topping: Melt the butter in the microwave, then stir in garlic powder and dried parsley for a flavorful brush-on glaze.
  9. Apply butter mixture: Use a spoon to evenly coat each taco stick with the garlic-parsley butter mixture, which will add flavor and promote browning.
  10. Bake: Bake the taco sticks in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned and the dough is cooked through.
  11. Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot. These taco sticks pair beautifully with salsa and sour cream for dipping.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and keep fillings from sogging the dough.
  • Make sure to seal the dough seams well to prevent filling leaks during baking.
  • Leftover taco sticks can be reheated in the oven or air fryer for best texture retention.
  • For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the meat mixture.
  • Vegetarian option: Substitute ground beef with seasoned plant-based meat or spiced beans.

Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/taco-sticks-recipe/