Description
This Taco Braid recipe combines seasoned ground beef, refried beans, salsa, and cheddar cheese all wrapped in a flaky pizza dough braid. Perfect for a fun and flavorful dinner, this dish bakes quickly and offers a delicious twist on traditional tacos in a convenient, sharable format.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
- 1 cup water
Fillings
- 1 can (15 ounces) refried beans
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup salsa
Dough
- 1 can (13.8 ounces) refrigerated Pillsbury Pizza Dough (or homemade pizza dough)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough and cook beef: Unravel the pizza dough and let it rest on a greased cookie sheet. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
- Season the beef and simmer: Add the taco seasoning packet and 1 cup of water to the cooked beef. Stir well and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Shape and cut the dough: Once the dough has rested and reaches room temperature, shape it into a large rectangle on the cookie sheet. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut one-inch strips lengthwise down both sides of the rectangular dough, leaving the center intact.
- Layer the fillings: Spread the refried beans evenly down the center of the dough. Next, layer the seasoned ground beef on top of the beans, then drizzle salsa over the meat. Finally, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the salsa.
- Braid the dough: Starting at one end, fold the one-inch strips over the filling in an alternating fashion, creating a braided pattern that covers the entire filling.
- Bake the braid: Place the tray in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Let the taco braid cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before slicing into servings. Serve warm and enjoy this flavorful and fun meal!
Notes
- You can substitute the refried beans with black beans or pinto beans for a different texture.
- If you prefer spicier flavors, use a hot taco seasoning mix or add jalapeños to the filling.
- For a vegetarian option, replace ground beef with seasoned cooked mushrooms or textured vegetable protein.
- Allowing the dough to rest at room temperature prevents shrinking during baking and helps create an even braid.
- Use a pizza cutter for clean, even strips to make braiding easier.
