Cheesy Taco Sticks Delight

Category: Food That Makes People Think You've Got Life Figured Out

Cheesy taco sticks are crafted by wrapping seasoned ground beef and cheese into soft pizza dough, then brushing each with fragrant garlic butter. These golden breadsticks bake quickly, offering a satisfying combination of savory beef and oozing cheese in every bite. Perfect for parties, snacks, or a fun twist on dinner, they pair well with your favorite taco toppings. The process is simple, making them great for busy nights or cooking with kids. Enjoy them hot and fresh from the oven for maximum flavor and melty goodness.

Clare Recipes
Created By Lily Chen
Updated on Wed, 23 Jul 2025 12:50:01 GMT
A stack of cheesy taco sticks. Save
A stack of cheesy taco sticks. | lilicooks.com

Cheesy taco sticks are the easiest way to turn taco night into a hand-held, gooey snack that everyone loves. Perfect for parties or youth game nights, these are the kind of buttery, stuffed breadsticks my kids ask for when friends come over. Just a few grocery staples, a quick bake in the oven, and you have a crowd-pleaser that disappears in minutes.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: this is the base for our taco flavor look for beef that is at least eighty five percent lean for less grease
  • Taco seasoning mix: creates the classic taco taste you love homemade or store bought both work just be sure to check the salt content
  • Pizza dough: using Pillsbury tube makes this so quick but I sometimes buy fresh dough from the bakery if I want extra fluffiness
  • Colby jack and cheddar cheese sticks: these melt smoothly and add that perfect cheesy pull softness pick well sealed sticks for best melt
  • Butter: brings golden crispness on top and helps the flavors stick use real butter for the richest finish
  • Garlic powder and dried parsley: these are mixed into the butter to create savory flavor with every bite not just a garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the Oven:
Set your oven to four twenty five Fahrenheit to ensure the sticks bake up golden and crisp
Prepare the Pan:
Lightly coat a large baking sheet with nonstick spray so nothing sticks
Cook the Taco Meat:
Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium high heat breaking it up with a wooden spoon cook it until it is fully browned and no pink remains drain off any fat for crisp texture return to the heat stir in the taco seasoning directly with no water so the beef gets coated thickly remove from heat and let the meat cool so the cheese does not melt too early
Shape the Dough:
On a lightly floured surface roll out the pizza dough into a big rectangle cut in half lengthwise then make four more cuts up and down to get ten small rectangles try to keep them even so they bake evenly
Fill and Roll:
Spoon about a tablespoon or a little more of cooled taco meat into the center of each dough rectangle top with a cheese stick half roll up carefully and pinch the edges and seams well to fully enclose the filling this stops cheese from escaping during baking
Butter the Tops:
Mix melted butter garlic powder and parsley in a small bowl brush this mixture over each taco stick the extra butter will make the top gold and add herby aroma
Bake:
Arrange the filled sticks on your prepared pan leave some space between each for airflow bake for ten to twelve minutes or until the tops are golden brown and you can see cheese bubbling inside
Serve:
Let them cool for just a minute before serving these are tastiest hot offer with your favorite taco toppings or dips
A plate of cheesy taco sticks. Save
A plate of cheesy taco sticks. | lilicooks.com

My favorite part is that cheesy stretch you get on the first bite When I make these with my kids they take turns sprinkling the parsley butter on top and laugh when the cheese oozes out the sides A total family memory maker

Storage Tips

Let the taco sticks cool to room temperature before storing to keep them from getting soggy For leftovers seal in an airtight container in the fridge They stay fresh for up to three days To reheat place on a baking sheet in a three fifty oven until hot and crisp again around five to eight minutes You can also freeze unbaked filled sticks just defrost and bake as usual

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap ground turkey or even crumbled plant based meat if beef is not your thing For the dough biscuit dough or crescent rolls also work in a pinch Trade out the cheese type for mozzarella for a milder taste or pepper jack for extra kick Add black beans or corn to the meat filling for a fun spin

A plate of cheesy taco sticks. Save
A plate of cheesy taco sticks. | lilicooks.com

Serving Suggestions

Pile on taco toppings like salsa sour cream or guacamole for dipping These pair well with a side salad or corn on the cob to balance the meal For parties set up a taco bar with all the fixings so everyone customizes their taco stick

Cultural Context

Though taco sticks are not traditional Mexican fare they channel the playful fusion of flavors American family food is known for Think of it as a taco’s cheesy cousin fun and endlessly adaptable I started making these as a shortcut for busy school nights but their popularity grew to all our gatherings

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of cheese works best for these taco sticks?

Colby Jack or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack melts wonderfully and gives rich flavor to each stick.

→ Can I use homemade taco seasoning?

Absolutely! Homemade taco seasoning offers extra control over salt and spice levels for a more customized taste.

→ Is a specific dough recommended?

Pillsbury pizza dough is convenient and easy to work with, but homemade pizza dough can be used if preferred.

→ How do I prevent the filling from leaking?

Ensure all seams are tightly pinched closed after assembling each breadstick to keep cheese and meat inside during baking.

→ Are these taco sticks freezer-friendly?

Yes, you can prepare them ahead, freeze unbaked sticks, and bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the oven time.

Cheesy Taco Sticks Appetizer

Buttery breadsticks packed with cheesy taco meat. Perfect for quick appetizers or kid-friendly meals.

Preparation Time
10 min
Cooking Time
12 min
Overall Time
22 min
Created By: Lily Chen

Category: Party & Snacks

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Cuisine Type: American

Output: 10 Serves (10 sticks)

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients

01 1 lb ground beef
02 1 packet taco seasoning mix or homemade taco seasoning
03 1 tube Pillsbury Pizza Dough
04 5 colby jack and cheddar cheese sticks, halved
05 4 tbsp butter, melted
06 1 tsp garlic powder
07 1 tsp dried parsley

Steps

Step 01

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Step 02

Lightly coat a large baking sheet with non-stick spray and set aside.

Step 03

Cook ground beef in a skillet, breaking up with a wooden spoon until fully browned and crumbled. Drain any fat and return skillet to stove top. Mix in taco seasoning packet (without water) and stir until fully coated. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Step 04

Spread pizza dough out until flat. Cut in half lengthwise, then make 4 cuts vertically, creating 10 small rectangles.

Step 05

Place about 1 tablespoon or more of taco meat in the center of each rectangle. Top with a halved cheese stick, then carefully roll up the dough, pinching all seams closed.

Step 06

Combine melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley in a small bowl. Brush it on the tops of the taco sticks.

Step 07

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown on top. Serve hot with your favorite taco toppings.

Tips

  1. Use leftover taco meat if available. Excess taco meat can be frozen for later use.

Required Tools

  • Skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Baking sheet
  • Pastry brush
  • Knife

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (cheese sticks and butter)
  • Contains gluten (Pillsbury Pizza Dough)

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.
  • Calories: 255
  • Fats: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Proteins: 11 g