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Taco Braid
This Easy Taco Braid uses pizza dough, seasoned taco beef, refried beans, cheese and salsa to create the most delicious family dinner!
A FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINNER RECIPE
This Easy Taco Braid is one of our family favorite dinners. It’s simple to prepare and easy to serve up. It’s also one that everyone can jump in and help prepare. This is a fun recipe to switch up Taco Tuesday and it can easily be doubled for larger families. It also freezes well so you can make one now and freeze one for later!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I use my own homemade pizza dough? Of course! Just make sure you roll it out large enough to be able to braid it. If you need a recipe, try my homemade pizza dough recipe. What other fillings can be used? You really can add any of your favorite taco fillings to this taco braid. Different cheeses can certainly be used depending on your preference. Try adding some pico de gallo, diced jalapeños (if you like more heat), or even some sour cream and diced onions mixed in with the meat mixture. You could even take this to a more breakfast type of level and instead of using taco ingredients, add eggs, sausage, hash browns, etc and make and turn a breakfast pizza into a Breakfast Braid! Do I have to use ground beef? Nope, you can be creative here. Chorizo would be delicious! You can use ground chicken, ground turkey, ground pork, or even seasoned shredded chicken, or skirt steak that you chop up in small bite size pieces. Whatever meat you use, it needs to be cooked before adding it to the braid. If you aren’t using ground meat, you may need to season different and cook to a different temp or length of time. Adjust as you see fit. What can I serve as a side dish with this? Taco braid is really a whole meal in one. However, if you really want a side dish you could serve with French fries, cilantro lime rice, Mexican rice, taco rice, guacamole or chips and salsa! How do you store leftovers? Any leftover taco braid can be stored in a covered container for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen. Wrap very well and place in a freezer-safe ziploc bag.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
refrigerated pizza crust– you could also use homemade pizza dough, and some people have tired this with crescent dough and liked it because it added a bit of sweetness. You would want to use the crescent roll dough sheet though. I haven’t tested it myself.
ground beef– check out the FAQ section if you don’t want to use ground beef.
taco seasoning– using store bought seasoning, or making your own homemade Taco Seasoning are both good options.
water
refried beans – feel free to use your favorite canned version, or make your own Homemade Refried Beans. Obviously if you don’t like refried beans, just leave them out. You could also mix them in with the taco ground beef.
salsa – I love Herdez salsa. You could use a tomatillo salsa as well.
shredded cheddar cheese – you can shred fresh off the block or grab the bagged stuff.
melted butter
your favorite toppings: sour cream, diced tomatoes, lettuce, etc. – I also use diced tomatoes inside the taco braid as well but that is optional.
HOW TO MAKE A TACO BRAID:
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess grease. Add the taco seasoning and water and mix until well incorporated. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 – 7 minutes until thickened.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place the refrigerated pizza dough on a large piece of parchment paper and roll out the dough so that it measures 10×15 inches. You can spread it out with your hands as well. Whatever is easiest for you. Carefully transfer the parchment onto a large, rimmed baking sheet. With a pizza cutter (or sharp knife), make slices (about 1 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches long) along both long sides of the dough.
Place refried beans into microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 45 seconds until soft enough to spread. Evenly spread refried beans down the center of the dough. Top beans with seasoned ground beef down the center of the dough.
Evenly spread salsa on top of ground beef. Then add shredded cheese and diced tomatoes.
Beginning at one end of the braid, fold the end up and wrap the first two slices over to secure it. Repeat the wrapping with the remaining slices just until the last two. Fold the remaining end up and wrap the last two slices over it to secure. Gently brush the top and side with the melted butter.
Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, until golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Cover with chopped lettuce and tomato, if desired.
Serve with sour cream and taco sauce.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Taco Pizza
Taco Pie
Bisquick Taco Casserole
Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Taco Pasta Salad
Cornbread Taco Bake
Dorito Taco Casserole
Taco Bake
Doritos Taco Salad
Navajo (Fry Bread) Tacos
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Warm Taco Bean Dip
Taco Crescent Ring
Dorito Walking Tacos
Taco Rice
Post originally published: March 2017Updated photos and republished: May 2024 (Note: the original post had a giveaway that has now ended.)
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Taco Braid
This Easy Taco Braid uses pizza dough, seasoned taco beef, refried beans, cheese and salsa to create the most delicious family dinner!
Course Main CourseCuisine American
Prep Time 25 minutes minutesCook Time 25 minutes minutesTotal Time 50 minutes minutes
Servings 6
Calories 430kcal
Author Brandie @ The Country Cook
Ingredients13.8 ounce tube refrigerated pizza crust1 pound ground beef1.25 ounce packet taco seasoning¾ cup water1 cup refried beans1 cup salsa2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend shredded cheese)2 cups finely diced tomatoes, divided use2 Tablespoons melted butterchopped lettuce, for serving (optional)sour cream and salsa, for serving (optional)
InstructionsIn a large skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess grease. Add the taco seasoning and water and mix until well incorporated. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 – 7 minutes until thickened. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place the refrigerated pizza dough on a large piece of parchment paper roll out the dough so that it measures 10 X 15 inches. With a pizza cutter (or sharp knife), make slices (1 -1/2 inch thick and 3 inches long) along both long sides of the dough. Place refried beans into microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 45 seconds until soft enough to spread. Evenly spread refried beans down the center of the dough. Top beans with seasoned ground beef down the center of the dough. Evenly spread salsa on top of ground beef. Then add shredded cheese and diced tomato. Beginning at one end of the braid, fold the end up and wrap the first two slices over to secure it. Repeat the wrapping with the remaining slices just until the last two.Fold the remaining end up and wrap the last two slices over it to secure. Gently brush the top and side with the melted butter. Carefully transfer the parchment onto a large, rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, until golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Cover with chopped lettuce and tomato, if desired. Serve with sour cream and taco sauce.
Video
Notes
Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
NutritionCalories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 31g | Sodium: 874mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g
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