This Easy Cheesy Taco Ring is a creative, crowd-pleasing take on the traditional taco night favorite. Made with flaky crescent roll dough wrapped around savory seasoned beef and melty cheddar cheese, this baked taco ring is as fun to look at as it is to eat. Whether you’re hosting a party, game-day gathering, or looking for a kid-friendly weeknight dinner, this taco ring is guaranteed to be a hit. It’s fully customizable, simple to prepare, and easy to serve with all your favorite toppings like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
Why You’ll Love This Taco Ring
Quick and hassle-free:
Ready in about 30 minutes, this recipe requires only a handful of basic ingredients and minimal prep, making it perfect for busy nights.
Kid-approved:
Fun to assemble and eat, the taco ring is always a family favorite that even picky eaters will enjoy.
Highly adaptable:
Switch up the filling with ground chicken, turkey, or even a vegetarian option to suit your dietary needs or taste preferences.
Ideal for entertaining:
Its unique ring shape makes it a show-stopping centerpiece that’s easy to slice and share with guests.
Great leftovers:
Easy to store and reheat, any leftovers make a delicious second meal.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 3 tablespoons homemade taco spice mix
- ½ cup water
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 cup shredded lettuce (for topping)
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
- Sour cream, salsa, or guacamole (for dipping or garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven
Start by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a non-stick silicone baking mat.
Step 2: Cook the meat
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and break it apart with a spatula as it browns. Once it’s fully cooked, drain the excess fat.
Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and pour in the water. Stir well and allow it to simmer for 2–3 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before assembling.
Step 3: Shape the crescent dough ring
Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into individual triangles. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet in a circular pattern. Overlap the wide ends of each triangle in the center so the pointed ends fan outward, forming a sunburst shape.
Step 4: Add the filling
Evenly spoon the seasoned meat mixture onto the dough near the center where the wide ends overlap. Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the meat.
Carefully fold each pointed end of the crescent dough over the filling and tuck it under the inner edge to form a complete ring.
Step 5: Bake until golden
Place the assembled ring in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crescent dough turns golden brown and is fully cooked.
Step 6: Cool and garnish
Let the ring rest for about 5 minutes after baking to make slicing easier. Garnish the center with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, black olives, and any other desired toppings.
Serve warm with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream on the side for dipping.
Serving Info
- Yield: 8 servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
Spicy Fiesta Taco Ring:
Add chopped jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or spicy taco seasoning to the meat for a bold kick of heat.
Vegetarian Taco Ring:
Replace the ground meat with seasoned black beans, refried beans, or a plant-based crumble for a meatless option.
Chicken Taco Ring:
Shredded cooked chicken, especially rotisserie, makes a delicious substitute when seasoned with taco spices.
Cheesy Jalapeño Ring:
Mix softened cream cheese with chopped jalapeños and stir it into the meat for a creamy, spicy filling twist.
Breakfast Taco Ring:
For a morning-friendly version, fill the ring with scrambled eggs, sautéed vegetables, and shredded cheese. Serve with salsa on the side.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigeration:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to 3 days.
Freezing:
Freeze individual slices by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.
Reheating Tips:
To reheat, use an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or microwave individual slices for 30–45 seconds until heated through. The oven method preserves the crispness better.
Taco Ring
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or 3 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 oz each)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican cheese blend)
- 1 small tomato, diced (optional, for garnish)
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
- Shredded lettuce, for serving (optional)
- Sour cream, salsa, or guacamole (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until fully browned. Drain excess grease.
- Add taco seasoning and water to the beef. Stir and simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into triangles. Arrange the triangles in a circular pattern on the baking sheet with the wide ends overlapping in the center and the points facing outward to form a ring.
- Spoon the seasoned beef evenly around the inner edge of the dough ring. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the meat.
- Fold the pointed ends of the crescent dough over the filling and tuck them under to form a complete ring.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Let the taco ring cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with tomatoes, olives, and green onions if desired.
- Serve with shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, or guacamole on the side for dipping.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I prepare the taco ring in advance?
Yes! You can fully assemble the ring and refrigerate it for up to 4 hours before baking. Perfect for prepping ahead of a party or event.
What’s the best dough to use for this recipe?
Refrigerated crescent roll dough is ideal for this dish because of its light, flaky texture. Puff pastry is another option if you prefer a richer, buttery finish.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken works just as well and provides a leaner alternative.
How do I prevent the crescent dough from getting soggy?
Be sure to drain the meat thoroughly after browning and let the filling cool slightly before assembling the ring. This helps prevent steam from making the dough soggy.
What toppings work well with this taco ring?
Top with chopped green onions, extra cheese, diced avocados, cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips for added flavor and crunch.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free crescent roll dough and double-check that your seasoning mix and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Why is the middle of my ring undercooked?
If the outer dough browns too quickly while the inside remains raw, loosely cover the ring with aluminum foil and continue baking for 5–10 more minutes.
Can I make it extra cheesy?
Definitely! Feel free to add more cheese inside the ring or sprinkle some on top before baking.
How should I serve this at a party?
Place the taco ring on a platter with small bowls of salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and other toppings in the center. Guests can pull apart pieces and add their own toppings—great for buffet-style entertaining!
Conclusion
This Easy Cheesy Taco Ring is a creative twist on traditional tacos that will wow your family or guests every time. With minimal prep, simple ingredients, and tons of flavor, it’s the ultimate shareable dish for gatherings or casual dinners. Customize it to your taste, load it up with toppings, and enjoy the satisfying crunch of golden crescent dough paired with savory taco goodness—no taco shells required!
Let this become your new go-to recipe for effortless entertaining and fun family meals. Ready in just 35 minutes and endlessly adaptable, this taco ring will have everyone asking for seconds.