Looking for a fun and flavorful twist on taco night? These Cheesy Taco Sticks are the ultimate snack, appetizer, or weeknight dinner. Imagine taco-seasoned beef and gooey melted cheese all wrapped up in golden, buttery dough—yes, it’s every bit as good as it sounds!
Whether you’re hosting game night, packing lunchboxes, or just need a quick and satisfying meal, these Cheesy Taco Sticks will become your new go-to recipe.
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Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Taco Sticks
These aren’t your ordinary tacos. Cheesy Taco Sticks combine everything you love about tacos—beef, cheese, bold seasoning—wrapped up in warm, fluffy breadsticks. Here’s why they’re so popular:
✅ Perfect for kids and adults alike
✅ Easy to make with simple ingredients
✅ Mess-free and portable—great for on-the-go meals
✅ Freezer-friendly for quick heat-and-eat meals
If you love cheesy, savory, comfort food, these Cheesy Taco Sticks are guaranteed to hit the spot!
What Are Cheesy Taco Sticks?
Cheesy Taco Sticks are a mashup of tacos and stuffed breadsticks. Taco-seasoned ground beef is layered with melty cheese and wrapped in pizza dough or crescent roll dough, then baked until golden and crisp. The result? A handheld, cheesy, taco-filled treat that’s hard to resist.
They’re great as appetizers, party food, lunchbox fillers, or quick dinners the whole family will love.
Ingredients for Cheesy Taco Sticks
You only need a few ingredients to create these flavor-packed sticks. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound ground beef
- A single packet of taco seasoning, or about 2 tablespoons of your favorite homemade taco blend
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough (or crescent roll sheets)
- Roughly 1 to 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar or a zesty Mexican cheese mix
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Optional for dipping: Salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or queso!
How to Make Cheesy Taco Sticks
These Cheesy Taco Sticks come together quickly and easily. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
🔥 Step 1: Cook the Taco Meat
Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium heat, breaking it up as it browns, until there’s no pink left. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and water, then let it simmer for a few minutes until thick and flavorful.
🔥 Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
Roll out the pizza dough on a floured countertop or board to prevent sticking. Slice it into 6 to 8 equal sections, depending on your preferred portion size.
🔥 Step 3: Assemble the Sticks
Spoon the seasoned beef mixture onto one half of each dough rectangle. Add a hearty layer of shredded cheese right on top of the taco beef filling.
🔥 Step 4: Seal and Shape
Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges together firmly. Use a fork to crimp the edges and ensure everything stays tucked inside during baking.
🔥 Step 5: Brush and Bake
Arrange the taco sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes until puffed up and golden brown.
🔥 Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Let your Cheesy Taco Sticks cool for a few minutes. Garnish with parsley if you’d like and serve with your favorite dips!
Tasty Tips & Variations
⭐ Use crescent roll dough for a flakier, buttery crust
⭐ Add jalapeños or green chilies for extra heat
⭐ Swap the beef with ground turkey or beans for a lighter version
⭐ Try different cheeses like pepper jack or mozzarella for a new flavor twist
⭐ Double the batch and freeze extras before baking
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
✅ Make-Ahead:
Assemble the taco sticks up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
✅ Storage:
Store cooled Cheesy Taco Sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
✅ Freezing:
Wrap unbaked or baked sticks individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen at 375°F for 20–25 minutes or until heated through.
✅ Reheating:
Warm them back up in the oven or air fryer for the best crispy texture.
Dipping Sauce Ideas
Cheesy Taco Sticks taste amazing on their own, but dipping makes them even better. Try:
- Classic salsa
- Creamy queso dip
- Cool sour cream
- Zesty guacamole
- Spicy chipotle mayo
Mix and match for the ultimate flavor experience!
Cheesy Taco Sticks FAQs
Can I use leftover taco meat?
Absolutely! This is a great way to repurpose taco leftovers into a brand-new, delicious snack.
Can I make Cheesy Taco Sticks vegetarian?
Yes! Swap the beef for black beans, refried beans, or meatless crumbles and load them up with cheese.
What’s the best dough to use?
Refrigerated pizza dough or crescent roll sheets both work great. Crescent dough gives you a flakier result, while pizza dough is more chewy and bread-like.
Final Thoughts: Cheesy Taco Sticks Are the Ultimate Comfort Food
If you’re looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing, and cheesy dinner idea, these Cheesy Taco Sticks are a winner. They’re easy to make, loaded with bold taco flavor, and endlessly customizable.
Whether it’s Taco Tuesday, a weekend game day, or a casual dinner, Cheesy Taco Sticks are guaranteed to become a favorite in your kitchen.
PrintCheesy Taco Sticks
Cheesy Taco Sticks are a fun, handheld twist on taco night! Wrapped in golden, pillowy dough and filled with seasoned taco meat and gooey cheese, these easy-to-make taco sticks are perfect for parties, family dinners, or game-day snacks. They’re kid-approved, freezer-friendly, and irresistibly delicious.
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
Ingredients
For the Dough:
1 can (16 oz) refrigerated pizza dough (or crescent roll sheet)
For the Filling:
1 lb ground beef
1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
⅓ cup water
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
1 tsp garlic powder (optional, for brushing)
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Prepare Taco Filling:
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
Stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Roll and Fill Dough:
Unroll the pizza dough and cut into 8 equal rectangles.
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of taco meat onto the center of each rectangle.
Top each with a mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheese (about 2 tablespoons total per stick).
Seal and Shape:
Fold the dough over the filling lengthwise and pinch the edges to seal, creating a log shape.
Place each taco stick seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Brush and Bake:
Brush each stick with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder if using.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Garnish and Serve:
Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro if desired.
Serve warm with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping.
Notes
Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian version.
Add a few diced jalapeños or green chilies to the filling for a spicy kick.
Make a big batch and freeze uncooked taco sticks for easy reheating later — just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
If using crescent dough instead of pizza dough, be sure to press seams together to prevent filling leaks.
Great served with queso dip or a drizzle of taco sauce on top!
Keywords: Cheesy Taco Sticks
