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Savory Taco Cheese Sticks

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These Savory Taco Cheese Sticks turn ordinary tacos into a grab-and-go treat by stuffing taco-flavored beef and string cheese inside store-bought pizza dough. You'll start by cooking lean ground beef and mixing in taco spices for that authentic Mexican taste. After placing the meat and cheese onto pizza dough squares, you'll wrap them up into individual sticks and brush them with flavorful garlic-herb butter before popping them in the oven. What you get are crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside sticks with melty cheese and spicy meat centers. They work great as dinner, party snacks, or kids' treats, and taste even better dunked in your favorite dips like fresh salsa, cool sour cream, or chunky guacamole.
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Twistytaste.com
Updated on Wed, 02 Apr 2025 20:14:40 GMT
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Easy Cheesy Taco Sticks | twistytaste.com

Blend regular pizza dough with a tasty mix of Mexican and Italian tastes in these Loaded Taco Cheese Sticks. Mixing spiced beef, gooey cheese, and a coat of garlic butter makes a grab-and-go treat that works great for quick dinners or laid-back get-togethers.

I found this dish during a hectic ball game season, and now it's my favorite quick meal fix. There's something magical about the way cheese gets all melty inside while the outside turns golden with garlicky goodness.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Ground beef: Go for somewhat lean meat
  • Pizza dough: Should be warm, not cold
  • Cheese sticks: Regular fat content melts better
  • Taco seasoning: Newly opened packs taste best
  • Quality butter: The salted kind works better
  • Fresh garlic: Beats dried powder every time
  • Fresh parsley: Brings brightness and eye appeal

Simple Cooking Instructions

Meat Preparation:
Cook beef until no pink shows. Crumble it small. Pour off fat. Add plenty of spices. Let it cool completely.
Dough Handling:
Let it warm up first. Flatten it out gently. Slice into even pieces. Keep it covered. Don't dawdle.
Assembly Process:
Use equal meat amounts. Set cheese in middle. Press edges firmly. Look for gaps. Leave space between each.
Butter Coating:
Warm butter gently. Drop in flavors. Stir well. Paint on generously. Save extra for later.
Baking Method:
Get oven really hot. Keep an eye on them. Turn pan if needed. Look at undersides. Let stand briefly.
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Easy Cheesy Taco Sticks | twistytaste.com

I came up with this when I wanted to make taco time more fun for my kids.

Smart Heat Control

After lots of trial runs, I've found that getting the heat just right matters tons. A fully hot 425°F oven gives you crispy outsides but keeps the insides all gooey and yummy. I always turn the tray around halfway to get even browning all over.

Prep-Ahead Tricks

You can totally get these taco sticks ready early. I often cook the meat mix ahead and pop it in the fridge. When life gets crazy, I put everything together and keep them covered in the fridge for up to 4 hours before baking. Just cook them a bit longer than usual.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

They taste best right away, but you can keep extras in a sealed box in your fridge for about three days. To warm them up, I stick them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to get that crunch back. Microwaving works too, but they won't be as crispy.

What To Serve With Them

These handy sticks go with all kinds of dips. I like to set out warm cheese sauce, chunky salsa, mashed avocado, and sour cream. For a full dinner, I add a fresh Mexican-style salad or some rice with beans on the side.

Ways To Mix It Up

I've played around with different stuff inside. Chopped hot peppers add some kick, while sliced black olives bring a salty touch. For a morning version, I sometimes swap in scrambled eggs and breakfast meat instead of taco beef.

Fixing Common Problems

Don't stress if cheese bursts out during baking. Those leaked bits turn into tasty crispy edges. If the outside browns too fast, just lay some foil on top for the rest of the cooking time.

Easy Cheesy Taco Sticks Pin it
Easy Cheesy Taco Sticks | twistytaste.com

These Loaded Taco Cheese Sticks have earned a top spot in my cooking lineup. The mix of spiced meat, melty cheese, and garlic butter creates something really special that both grown-ups and kids can't resist. Whether they're dinner, lunch box fillers, or party snacks, they always get gobbled up fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I fix these before I need them?
You can put them together early and keep them in the fridge, but they taste way better when they're fresh out of the oven.
→ Can I swap out the cheese?
For sure, any good melting cheese works fine. Try string mozzarella or a mix of Mexican cheeses.
→ Why should I let the meat cool down?
Hot meat makes the dough sticky and hard to handle, plus it might start melting your cheese too soon.
→ Can I use chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely, ground chicken or turkey with the same spices will work just as well as beef.
→ How do I stop cheese from oozing out?
Just make sure you squeeze and close all the edges really well when you roll up each stick.

Tasty Taco Cheese Sticks

Tender, garlicky breadsticks packed with taco-flavored ground beef and gooey cheese, topped with buttery garlic spread and baked till crisp. Great with salsa and sour cream dips.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
12 Minutes
Total Time
27 Minutes


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (10 breadsticks)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Filling

01 Ground beef, lean variety (1 pound)
02 Packet of taco spice mix (1)
03 Sticks of Colby jack cheese (5, sliced in half)

→ Dough

04 Pillsbury pizza crust from tube (1)

→ Garlic Butter Topping

05 Melted butter (¼ cup)
06 Powdered garlic (1 teaspoon)
07 Parsley flakes (1 teaspoon)

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 425°F and coat your baking tray with cooking spray

Step 02

Cook beef until no pink shows, pour off grease, stir in taco spices, then let it cool down

Step 03

Slice the pizza crust down the middle, then cut each piece into 5 sections to get 10 pieces

Step 04

Put some cooled beef mixture and cheese piece in the middle of each dough section

Step 05

Fold dough around the stuffing and seal edges to make breadstick shapes

Step 06

Combine butter with garlic and parsley in a small bowl, then paint it on each breadstick

Step 07

Cook for 10-12 minutes till they turn nice and brown, then eat while warm

Notes

  1. They're awesome with dips like salsa, sour cream or guac
  2. Perfect for family meals or quick bites when kids come home hungry
  3. Make sure the meat cools down first or your dough will turn mushy

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking tray, big size
  • Frying pan
  • Brush for food
  • Sharp cutting tool

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy products inside (butter and cheese)
  • Pizza dough has gluten

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 585
  • Total Fat: 13 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 53 g
  • Protein: 40 g