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- Refrigerated pizza dough - Shredded cheddar cheese - Cooked ground beef (or turkey) - Taco seasoning - Black beans - Corn - Diced tomatoes - Fresh cilantro - Egg (for egg wash) These ingredients create a delicious mix. The pizza dough acts as a tasty wrap. The ground beef or turkey adds protein. Taco seasoning gives it that classic zest. Black beans and corn add texture and color. Diced tomatoes bring freshness, while cilantro adds a burst of flavor. The egg wash helps the sticks turn golden brown. Each bite is cheesy, savory, and satisfying. This recipe is flexible! You can swap ingredients or add your favorites. Enjoy exploring different flavors. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This step is key for a crisp finish. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking. In a large skillet, combine 1 cup of cooked ground beef with 1/2 cup of taco seasoning. Add 1 cup of black beans, 1/2 cup of corn, and 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes. Stir well and cook for 3-5 minutes. This heats the filling through. Finally, stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro for a burst of flavor. Now it’s time to prepare the dough. Roll out your package of refrigerated pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Aim for a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. This thickness ensures a nice texture. Next, cut the dough into strips that are about 2 inches wide. This size is perfect for holding the filling. For the fun part, take one dough strip and spoon a generous amount of the taco mixture down the center. Leave space on the edges for sealing. Sprinkle a tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the filling. This adds that cheesy goodness. Now fold the sides of the dough over the filling, enclosing it completely. Pinch the edges tightly to seal. This helps keep the filling inside. Place the sealed taco sticks on the baking sheet and brush the tops with a beaten egg for a shiny finish. Bake your taco sticks in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes. They should turn golden brown and smell amazing. Once they are done, let them cool for a couple of minutes. This makes them easier to handle. Serve warm with salsa on the side for dipping. Enjoy the cheesy, tasty goodness! To make the best cheesy taco sticks, roll the dough evenly. This helps them cook well. The thickness of the dough should be about 1/4 inch. If it's too thick, the inside may not cook through. Bake your taco sticks for about 15 to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on them until they turn golden brown. This ensures they will be crispy and tasty. You can adjust spices to fit your taste. If you like it spicy, add some chili powder or cayenne pepper to the taco mix. For a milder flavor, leave out the heat. You can also switch proteins. Ground turkey or chicken works great too. If you want a vegetarian option, use black beans or lentils instead of meat. The flavors will still shine through. Prepping these cheesy taco sticks in advance saves time. You can make the filling the day before. Store it in the fridge until you are ready to assemble. Roll out the dough and cut it into strips. When you are ready to bake, just fill and seal them. This method makes cooking quick and easy, perfect for busy days. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and herbs will enhance the flavor of your taco sticks and make them more vibrant. Customize the Filling: Feel free to add your favorite ingredients like jalapeños, bell peppers, or different cheeses for a unique twist. Perfectly Seal the Edges: Make sure to pinch the dough edges tightly to prevent any filling from leaking out during baking. Experiment with Dips: In addition to salsa, try serving with guacamole, sour cream, or a spicy ranch dressing for added flavor. {{image_2}} To make vegetarian cheesy taco sticks, swap the ground beef for veggies or meat alternatives. You can use mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers. These ingredients add flavor and texture. You can also use lentils or chickpeas for a protein boost. Mix these veggies with taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and tomatoes. The result is a tasty, plant-based snack that everyone will enjoy. For those who love heat, adding jalapeños or spicy cheese turns up the flavor. Chop fresh jalapeños or use pickled ones for a zesty kick. Alternatively, you can choose pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. This adds a creamy texture and a spicy bite. Feel free to adjust the amount of spice to match your taste. These spicy taco sticks will make your taste buds dance. Serving cheesy taco sticks with dips elevates the snack experience. Salsa is a classic choice, but you can get creative. Guacamole adds a smooth and rich flavor. Sour cream mixed with lime juice also makes a great dip. You can even try a cheese sauce for extra gooeyness. Encourage your friends to mix and match dips for a fun tasting party. To keep your cheesy taco sticks fresh, store them in the fridge. Place them in an airtight container. They will stay good for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Wrap each taco stick in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. This way, they can last up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat them, just take out what you need. To reheat your cheesy taco sticks, use the oven for the best results. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the sticks on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will help keep the dough crispy and the cheese melty. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the dough soggy. If you need a quicker option, you can use an air fryer. Just set it to 350°F (175°C) and heat for about 5 to 7 minutes. Enjoy your tasty snack! You can use several other options if you lack pizza dough. Here are some great alternatives: - Puff pastry: This gives a flaky texture. - Tortillas: They are easy to roll and fill. - Phyllo dough: For a lighter, crispier bite. - Bread dough: Any homemade or store-bought variety works well. These options can also add unique flavors to your taco sticks. Yes, you can prep these taco sticks ahead of time. Here’s how: - Prepare the filling: Cook the meat and mix in the beans, corn, and spices. - Roll the dough: Cut your pizza dough strips in advance. - Assemble: Fill and seal the sticks, then cover them with plastic wrap. - Refrigerate: Store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes for a quick snack when you’re ready to eat! Dipping sauces can elevate your taco sticks. Here are my top picks: - Salsa: A classic choice that adds zest. - Guacamole: Creamy and flavorful, it complements the cheese. - Sour cream: A cooling dip that balances spice. - Queso dip: For extra cheesy goodness. Feel free to mix and match these dips! Storing leftovers is easy. Follow these steps for best results: - Cool completely: Let the taco sticks cool down first. - Refrigerate: Place them in an airtight container. They last about 3-4 days. - Freeze: For longer storage, wrap each stick in foil and freeze. They can last up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy again, reheat them in the oven for best texture! In this post, we explored how to make tasty Cheesy Taco Sticks. We covered the key ingredients, from dough to toppings. You learned the step-by-step process from prep to baking. Tips for perfecting flavors, customizing, and storing leftovers were also shared. Enjoy making these fun snacks for any occasion. They're easy, delicious, and sure to please everyone. Get creative with your fillings and enjoy crafting your own version.

Cheesy Taco Sticks

Delicious cheesy taco sticks filled with ground beef, beans, and spices, perfect for dipping in salsa.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package refrigerated pizza dough
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cooked ground beef (or turkey)
  • 0.5 cup taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 0.5 cup corn (canned or frozen)
  • 0.5 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
  • 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
  • 1 serving salsa, for dipping

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the cooked ground beef, taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes. Stir well and cook for about 3-5 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro.
  • Roll out the refrigerated pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
  • Cut the dough into strips approximately 2 inches wide.
  • Spoon a generous amount of the taco mixture down the center of each strip, leaving enough space on the edges for sealing.
  • Sprinkle a tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the taco mixture.
  • Fold the sides of the dough over the filling to enclose it, pinching the edges to seal tightly.
  • Place the sealed taco sticks on the prepared baking sheet, and brush the tops with the beaten egg.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Let the cheesy taco sticks cool for a couple of minutes before serving.
  • Serve warm with salsa on the side for dipping.

Notes

Serve warm with salsa for dipping.
Keyword appetizer, cheese, snack, taco