Can I use crescent roll dough instead of pizza dough?

Absolutely! Crescent roll dough works wonderfully as an alternative. You'll need to press the perforations together before cutting into rectangles, and the texture will be slightly flakier and more buttery.

How can I make these spicier?

Add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to your taco meat mixture. You could also substitute pepper jack cheese sticks for an extra kick throughout.

What's the best way to prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking?

Make sure to completely seal all edges of the dough with firm pinching. Also, placing the cheese on top of the meat (rather than directly on the dough) creates a barrier that helps contain the melting cheese.

Can I make a vegetarian version of these taco sticks?

Definitely! Substitute the ground beef with vegetarian crumbles, a combination of black beans and corn, or even well-seasoned roasted vegetables. The taco seasoning works just as well with these alternatives.

Taco Sticks Recipe

Name: Taco Sticks Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 1 package taco seasoning (plus water called for on the envelope); 2 tubes Pillsbury pizza dough; 12 Colby Jack cheese sticks; ¼ cup unsalted butter; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried parsley

This irresistible Taco Sticks recipe transforms classic taco flavors into handheld delights that everyone will love! Featuring seasoned ground beef and melty cheese wrapped in flaky pizza dough, these savory treats are perfect for quick dinners, game day snacks, or a fun twist on taco night. With just 30 minutes from start to finish, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing meal that combines the best of Mexican flavors with grab-and-go convenience.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike can’t resist these handheld taco-inspired treats!
Quick Weeknight Solution: From start to finish in just 30 minutes – perfect for those busy evenings when time is tight.
Customizable: The basic recipe is fantastic as is, but you can easily adapt it with your favorite taco fillings and toppings.
Great for Gatherings: These portable snacks are perfect for game day, movie night, or any casual get-together.
Meal Prep Wonder: Make a batch ahead and reheat for quick lunches or after-school snacks throughout the week.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ground Beef: The protein foundation that brings hearty texture and savory flavor to every bite.
Garlic: Adds that essential aromatic base that elevates the overall taste.
Taco Seasoning: The flavor powerhouse that transforms ordinary ground beef into taco meat magic.
Pillsbury Pizza Dough: Creates the perfect golden, flaky exterior – so much easier than making dough from scratch!
Colby Jack Cheese Sticks: Provides that irresistible gooey, melty center that stretches with every bite.
Butter: Creates a beautifully golden exterior and helps the seasonings stick to the dough.
Garlic Powder: Infuses the butter with savory depth without the intensity of fresh garlic.
Dried Parsley: Adds a touch of color and subtle flavor to the buttery exterior.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Love the basic recipe but want to switch things up? Here are some tasty options:

Protein Swaps

Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat crumbles for a lighter option or vegetarian version.

Cheese Choices

Try pepper jack for heat, Mexican blend for authentic flavor, or mozzarella for maximum stretchiness.

Extra Fillings

Add black beans, corn, diced peppers, or olives to the meat mixture for more textures and flavors.

Breakfast Version

Use scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, and cheddar for morning taco sticks.

Dipping Sauces

Beyond salsa and sour cream, try guacamole, queso, ranch, or chipotle mayo for dipping.

How to Make Taco Sticks

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 425°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Keep the pizza dough refrigerated until you’re ready to use it.

Step 2: Cook the Meat Mixture

Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat, then stir in minced garlic, taco seasoning, and water as directed on the seasoning package. Cook on high for 2-3 minutes until the water evaporates.

Step 3: Prepare the Dough

Unroll the pizza dough onto parchment paper and shape into a 12×8-inch rectangle. Cut each tube into 6 pieces (4×4 inches each) for a total of 12 rectangles.

Step 4: Fill and Seal

Place about 3 tablespoons of meat mixture in the center of each rectangle. Add half a cheese stick on top of the meat. Bring the sides of the dough up and pinch firmly to seal, then pinch and fold the ends up to the same side as the center seam.

Step 5: Add Butter Mixture

Melt butter and stir in garlic powder and dried parsley. Brush this mixture evenly over all the taco sticks.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange the sticks seam-side down on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the tops are lightly browned and the dough is cooked through.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Seal Completely: Make sure to pinch all seams firmly so the filling doesn’t escape during baking.
Even Distribution: Try to spread the taco meat in an even line down the center of each dough rectangle, leaving space at the edges for sealing.
Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting to pack in more filling, but this makes sealing difficult and leads to messy leaks.
Room Temperature Cheese: Let your cheese sticks sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before using – cold cheese can prevent proper dough sealing.
Rotate Pans: Halfway through baking, rotate your baking sheets for more even browning.

How to Serve

These Taco Sticks shine on their own but become even more fantastic with complementary sides and dips:

Dipping Options

Serve with small bowls of salsa, sour cream, guacamole, queso, or hot sauce for dipping.

Side Dishes

Pair with Mexican rice, refried beans, a simple green salad, or corn salad for a complete meal.

Gameday Spread

Include these as part of a lineup with nachos, wings, and other finger foods for the perfect game day feast.

Family Style

Present on a large platter with various dips in the center for a fun, interactive dinner.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled taco sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing

These freeze beautifully! After baking and cooling, place in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For refrigerated taco sticks, reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or in the microwave for 30-45 seconds until warmed through. For frozen taco sticks, reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.

Make Ahead Tips

Prepare the taco meat up to 2 days ahead and store in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake when ready to serve.

FAQs

Can I use crescent roll dough instead of pizza dough?

Absolutely! Crescent roll dough works wonderfully as an alternative. You’ll need to press the perforations together before cutting into rectangles, and the texture will be slightly flakier and more buttery.
How can I make these spicier?

Add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to your taco meat mixture. You could also substitute pepper jack cheese sticks for an extra kick throughout.
What’s the best way to prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking?

Make sure to completely seal all edges of the dough with firm pinching. Also, placing the cheese on top of the meat (rather than directly on the dough) creates a barrier that helps contain the melting cheese.
Can I make a vegetarian version of these taco sticks?

Definitely! Substitute the ground beef with vegetarian crumbles, a combination of black beans and corn, or even well-seasoned roasted vegetables. The taco seasoning works just as well with these alternatives.

Final Thoughts

These Taco Sticks bring together everything we love about tacos in a convenient, handheld package that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. The combination of seasoned beef, melty cheese, and golden crust creates an irresistible treat that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Give them a try the next time you’re craving tacos but want something a little different – I promise they’ll become a regular in your recipe rotation!