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Cheesy Taco Sticks

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Cheesy Taco Sticks are a quick, crowd-pleasing party appetizer featuring spiced beef, gooey cheese, and golden pizza dough. Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re perfect for game day, potlucks, or family nights.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened (optional but recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons taco sauce or salsa
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp preferred)
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 can (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza dough (or crescent roll dough as alternative)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
  • Sour cream (for dipping)
  • Extra salsa or taco sauce (for dipping)
  • Guacamole (for dipping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
  3. Stir in taco seasoning and water. Mix until beef is evenly coated. Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese and taco sauce. Stir until creamy and well blended, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
  4. In a bowl, combine shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
  5. Unroll pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll out to a 10×15-inch rectangle. Cut into 8 equal rectangles.
  6. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of taco filling onto the bottom third of each rectangle. Top with 2–3 tablespoons of cheese mixture.
  7. Fold dough over filling and pinch seams tightly. Roll gently into a log shape and place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
  8. Melt butter and stir in garlic powder. Brush each taco stick with the butter mixture.
  9. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and cheese is bubbling out the ends. Rotate baking sheet halfway through if needed.
  10. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
  11. Serve warm with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream for dipping.

Notes

Don’t overfill the sticks to prevent bursting. Pinch seams tightly for best results. Filling can be made ahead and sticks can be assembled up to 8 hours in advance. For a vegetarian version, use seasoned black beans and corn. Use gluten-free dough if needed. Leftovers reheat best in a toaster oven or air fryer.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy taco sticks, party appetizer, taco sticks, easy appetizer, game day snacks, finger food, Mexican appetizer, pizza dough, beef taco sticks, cheese sticks

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