When you think of tacos, a crispy shell filled with deliciously seasoned meat, crunchy lettuce, and gooey cheese might come to mind. But what if you could take that taco flavor you know and love and transform it into an entirely new culinary creation? Enter the Taco Braid. This fusion of tacos and braided bread is a fun, visually appealing, and delightful addition to your meal plan that your entire family will adore.
Imagine layers of tender ground beef seasoned with tangy taco spice, topped with crunchy onions, juicy tomatoes, and Mexican cheese blend, all wrapped up in a lusciously golden, crisp, pizza-dough braid. Served with dollops of tangy sour cream and zesty salsa on the side, this Taco Braid will take your love for tacos to the next level.
In this blog post, I’ll take you through an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide on how to prepare this inventive dish.
How to Prepare Taco Braid
This unique recipe takes a traditional taco’s zest and combines it with the comfort of a warm, freshly baked loaf. Preparing Taco Braid might seem daunting at first glance, but with these straightforward steps, you’ll be braiding like a pro in no time. Let’s begin!
Ingredients for Taco Braid
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ¾ pound ground beef
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 cup Mexican blend shredded cheese, divided
- 1 tomato, diced, plus additional for top, if desired
- 1 ½ cups chopped lettuce
- Sour cream and salsa for serving, if desired
Directions for Taco Braid
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Sauté the onions in the olive oil until translucent and just starting to brown.
- Add the ground beef and taco seasoning, and fully cook the ground beef. Once it’s fully-cooked, drain the ground beef and set aside.
- Unroll the pizza dough onto parchment paper. On both sides, cut equal strips, going about 1 ½ into the dough but NOT all the way from side to side. The dough should like it has fringe.
- Layer the ground beef, tomatoes, and cheese in the center of the dough.
- Braid the dough strips over the top of the filling, so that the filling is almost fully-encased in the dough.
- Slide the braided loaf onto a baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until browned on top.
- Garnish the top with tomatoes, lettuce, and the remaining cheese. Serve with salsa (or taco sauce) and enjoy!
These simple steps make preparing the Taco Braid an engaging and rewarding culinary adventure. The resulting masterpiece is a delicious fusion that will impress guests or become a new favorite family dinner.
FAQ’s
Can I substitute the ground beef in the Taco Braid?
Yes, absolutely! You can use ground turkey or chicken, or for a vegetarian twist, use a meat substitute or sautéed vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini.
Can I add more toppings to my Taco Braid?
Yes, the beauty of this dish is its versatility. Feel free to add black beans, corn, jalapenos, olives, or even diced avocado. Remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly if your additions are significant.
Can I make the Taco Braid ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the braid and keep it refrigerated. When you’re ready to serve, pop it in the oven and bake as directed. However, it is recommended to add the garnishes just before serving for best results.
How should I store leftover Taco Braid?
The Taco Braid can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, warm it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through.
Taco Braid
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ¾ pound ground beef
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 cup Mexican blend shredded cheese divided
- 1 tomato diced, plus additional for top, if desired
- 1 ½ cups chopped lettuce
- Sour cream and salsa for serving if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Sauté the onions in the olive oil until translucent and just starting to brown.
- Add the ground beef and taco seasoning, and fully cook the ground beef.
- Once it’s fully-cooked, drain the ground beef and set aside.
- Unroll the pizza dough onto parchment paper. On both sides, cut equal strips, going about 1 ½ into the dough but NOT all the way from side to side. The dough should like it has fringe.
- Layer the ground beef, tomatoes, and cheese in the center of the dough.
- Braid the dough strips over the top of the filling, so that the filling is almost fully-encased in the dough.
- Slide the braided loaf onto a baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until browned on top.
- Garnish the top with tomatoes, lettuce, and the remaining cheese. Serve with salsa (or taco sauce) and enjoy!
