Cheesy Taco Sticks
Cheesy taco sticks are a crowd-pleasing party appetizer featuring savory taco meat and gooey cheese wrapped in golden pizza dough. They’re quick, easy, and perfect for game days, gatherings, or a fun family snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (85% lean recommended)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp recommended)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough (about 13.8 oz)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or queso dip (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add taco seasoning and water to the skillet. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a bowl, mix together the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
- Lightly flour your work surface. Unroll the pizza dough and use a rolling pin to shape it into a large rectangle, about 14 x 9 inches.
- Cut the dough into 8 equal rectangles. Spoon about 2 heaping tablespoons of the taco filling down the center of each rectangle, then sprinkle generously with the cheese blend.
- Fold each rectangle over the filling, pinching the edges to seal. Roll gently so the seam is underneath.
- Place the filled sticks seam side down on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Mix melted butter with garlic powder and brush the tops of the sticks generously.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is bubbling at the ends.
- Cool for a couple of minutes, garnish with parsley or cilantro if desired, then slice and serve warm with your favorite dips.
Notes
Seal the dough seams tightly to prevent leaking. Don’t overfill the sticks. Freshly shredded cheese melts best. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pizza dough. For vegetarian, substitute plant-based crumbles or beans. These freeze well and can be reheated in the oven for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco stick
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 500
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 13
Keywords: cheesy taco sticks, party appetizer, taco sticks, easy appetizer, Tex-Mex snack, finger food, game day recipe, pizza dough taco, kid friendly, crowd pleaser