One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is to create innovation and excitement, so it wasn’t a surprise to my husband’s face when I whipped up these Cheesy Taco Sticks.
I am a huge snack person, but lately, I have gotten tired of the same old snacks. Maybe you feel the same way as well about that, but I also don’t want the basic fruit snacks. I want a burst of flavor that will tantalize my taste buds.
Well, if you are in the same boat… look no further.
Introducing my latest and favorite snack – Cheesy Taco Sticks!
Brace yourself for a thrilling journey through layers of perfectly seasoned browned beef, and gooey cheese sticks, all encased in a golden embrace of crescent dough sheets. This recipe isn’t just a snack; it’s a flavor-packed experience that will revolutionize your snacking game.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet of Taco Seasoning (or cumin, paprika, chili powder, onion, and garlic powder)
- 1 tsp of salt and pepper
- 1 tube of crescent dough or pizza dough
- Pack of cheese sticks
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp parsley flakes
Let’s get into each step.
The Foundation: Perfectly Seasoned Browned Beef
This is the heart and soul of these Cheesy Taco Sticks. In it lies the rich and savory browned beef filling. Now, in my household, we are particular about our meats! Whenever we can, we try to select high-quality ground beef, preferably lean to ensure a perfect balance of flavors.
In a hot skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spatula to achieve that fine, crumbly texture. Allow the beef to brown and develop that delicious caramelized bits that intensify and illuminate the overall flavor.
For seasonings, add a mix of spices like cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a hint of chili powder for a subtle kick. Salt and Pepper are always a must though to season any beef to perfection. With this blend, this will infuse your Cheesy Taco Sticks with a depth of flavor that is nothing short of extraordinary.
The Element of Surprise: Cheese Sticks
Now, this is my favorite ingredient. Who doesn’t love gooey cheese!
This ingredient takes these Taco Sticks to the next level – Cheese Sticks. Picture this: molten, gooey cheese oozing out with each bite creates a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.
Specifically, for this recipe, choose your favorite cheese sticks. It does not matter what cheese you choose to do, but for me, I have found that mozzarella or cheddar work exceptionally well.
Before assembling your taco sticks, cut the cheese in half. Depending on the size, you might need to do bite-sized pieces. These pockets of cheese will be nestled within the layers of the browned beef, which will provide a delightful surprise for anyone lucky enough to enjoy these Taco Sticks.
The contrast of both the beef and the creamy cheese will leave you reaching for more.
The Dough: Crescent Dough Sheets
For the final step, we turn to the golden embrace of crescent dough sheets. This dough not only acts as the perfect vessel for the Cheesy Taco Sticks, but it also adds a buttery, flaky texture that enhances the overall experience. You can also use Pizza Dough for this step as well!
To start, unroll the crescent dough sheets and cut them into rectangles large enough to envelop the beef and cheese filling. Assemble the Cheesy Taco Sticks by placing a generous portion of the seasoned browned beef on one end of each rectangle. Be sure to leave enough space for the cheese stick!
Top it off with a piece of the cheese stick, then fold the dough over the filling. Seal the edges to create a neat and compact package.
Now, you are more than welcome to create your own dough. I am sure that would be even more tasty, but for me, it is so much easier and quicker to buy the off-brand version of the crescent dough sheets.
The Gold: Buttery Goodness
This step is optional, but I never miss it. I love to melt some butter, sprinkle some garlic powder and parsley flakes into a mixture, and spread that buttery goodness over each roll! I have noticed that this brings that golden and flaky crust to life as well as the ultimate, final touch to these Cheesy Taco Rolls.
Baking Magic: The Final Touch
Preheat your oven to your recommended temperature for the crescent dough sheets. If making homemade, it is usually around 375 degrees to cook.
Place your Cheesy Taco Sticks on a baking sheet. Make sure that your baking sheet is lined with parchment paper or sprayed previously with oil. Make sure that when placing your Cheesy Taco Sticks down on the baking sheet, ensure that they are spaced evenly.
The times for baking will be different, but bake until the dough turns a golden brown and the cheese has fully melted. Bonus points if the cheese starts to bubble!
When done, allow the Cheesy Taco Sticks to cool for a few minutes before serving. These will be hot and steaming! This step is also crucial because this allows the flavors to meld and intensify, which ensures that each bite is a culinary masterpiece.
Feel free to set some salsa or your favorite dipping sauce out to enjoy!
As stated earlier, these Cheesy Taco Sticks will leave you craving more. They will also impress your friends at gatherings, satisfy your family during movie nights, or even just treating yourself to a fun culinary adventure! They really are the answer to your snacking prayers!
Follow along with some more flavorful and fun snacks. We are all tired of the mundane snacks and need to say goodbye to them.
Embrace the Cheesy Taco Stick revolution and savor the joy of innovative, homemade goodness.
The Maddie Dish 