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Taco Crescent Ring Recipe

Taco Crescent Ring Recipe

Looking for a show-stopping dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat? This Taco Crescent Ring recipe is a crowd-pleaser that combines the bold flavors of seasoned taco beef with buttery, flaky crescent rolls. Serve this beauty with your favorite toppings—from fresh guacamole to tangy salsa—so everyone can make it their own.

This recipe makes 12 appetizer-sized servings or 6-8 main dish portions. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo parties, family dinners, or game-day snacks!

A golden taco crescent ring filled with ground beef, cheese, and toppings.

Shopping List:

  • Ground beef (or veggie crumbles, ground turkey or ground chicken)
  • Onion
  • Taco seasoning
  • Cans of refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • Shredded cheese
  • Optional toppings: guacamole, avocado, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, green onions, onion, salsa, lime, black olives
A sliced crescent roll taco bake with cheese and ground beef filling.

How to make a taco crescent ring step by step

1. Cook the Meat & Onions:

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onions to the skillet.
  • Break up the beef with a spoon or spatula, stirring often to ensure even cooking.
  • Cook until the ground beef is browned, and the onions are soft and translucent, about 7-8 minutes.
  • Drain off any excess grease to avoid a soggy crescent roll base.
A Tex-Mex crescent ring with ground beef and melted cheese, garnished with fresh toppings.

2. Season the Beef:

  • Return the skillet to the heat and add the taco seasoning and water.
  • Stir well to get all the seasoning incorporated.
  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  • Remove from heat and set the mixture aside to cool slightly before assembly.
Taco crescent ring freshly baked and ready to slice, served with salsa.

3. Preheat the Oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F.
  • Prepare a large baking sheet or pizza pan by lining it with parchment paper, silicon mat, or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
A cheesy taco crescent roll bake with golden layers of crescent dough.

4. Arrange the Crescent Rolls:

  • Open the crescent roll cans and separate each of the dough triangles.
  • Arrange the triangles in a circle on the prepared baking sheet, with the wide ends overlapping to form a ring and the pointed ends facing outward. Leave a small circle (about 4-5 inches in diameter) in the center.
  • Press the overlapping edges of the wide ends together gently to create a solid base for the filling.
Mexican-inspired taco crescent ring served on a platter.

5. Add the Filling:

  • Spoon the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly onto the wide ends of the crescent dough ring.
  • Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the meat mixture, distributing it evenly for every slice.
A perfectly baked taco crescent ring with cheese and garnishes.
A golden crescent roll taco ring filled with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese.

6. Fold the Dough:

  • Take one pointed end of a crescent roll triangle and gently pull it over the filling toward the center of the ring.
  • Tuck the point under the inside of the ring to secure it.
  • Repeat with the remaining crescent roll triangles, slightly overlapping each point as you go for a seamless look.
A quick and easy Tex-Mex taco crescent ring served fresh.

7. Bake the Ring:

  • Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.
  • Keep an eye on the crescent ring during the last few minutes of baking, ensuring the dough is a deep golden brown and the cheese is fully melted and gooey.
A taco crescent ring with golden crust and a side of sour cream.

8. Cool and Serve:

  • Remove the taco crescent ring from the oven and allow it to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This helps it set and makes slicing easier.
  • Slice into portions using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
  • Serve warm with your choice of toppings, such as guacamole, salsa, or sour cream.
Family-sized taco crescent ring on a platter, garnished with fresh toppings.

Tips and Tricks For This Recipe

  • Prevent Sticking: Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to help prevent the crescent dough from sticking to the pan.
  • Even Filling: Drain well and cool the beef mixture slightly before you add it to the crescent dough to prevent the dough from becoming too gooey and hard to handle.
  • Customization: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or veggie crumbles if you want.
  • Cheese Options: Experiment with different cheeses, like pepper jack for extra zing or mozzarella for a stretchy texture and milder flavor. A combination of cheeses is always a winner!
  • Topping Ideas: Offer several kinds of toppings, from queso dip to salsa to chopped black olives to Taco Bell Mild Sauce, so everyone can add what they like.
  • Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the beef mixture in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours to save time on the day of baking. This is one of those quick Tex-Mex recipes that you can thankfully get a jump on in advance of event day.

The bottom line

Not only is this crescent roll taco bake an easy appetizer to make from simple ingredients, but this taco ring with crescent rolls looks like you’ve been working in the kitchen for hours! Want to make your own Taco Bell copycat sauce? How about your own taco seasoning?

A close-up of taco crescent rolls with fresh salsa on the side.

Taco Crescent Ring Recipe

Yield: 12 servings (appetizer) or 6-8 servings (main dish)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

A festive and easy-to-make taco crescent ring filled with seasoned beef and melted cheese, perfect for parties, family dinners, or game day. Customize it with your favorite toppings for a dish everyone will love!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • ½ medium onion, peeled and diced
  • ½ c water
  • 1 package (1 oz) taco seasoning
  • 2 cans of refrigerated crescent roll dough, like Pillsbury brand, kept cold (16 total triangles)
  • 1 to 1.5 c of shredded mild cheddar or Mexican-style cheese
  • Optional Toppings (see notes below)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Onions & Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and meat. Cook the meat and onions, stirring often, until the ground beef is no longer pink. Drain grease into a jar for reusing or cool and scrape the grease into the trash (not down your sink).
  2. Season the Beef: Add beef back to pan, then add the ½ c water and packet of taco seasoning. Stir to combine and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the dough from sticking.
  4. Arrange the Crescent Dough Triangles: Open the cans of crescent roll dough and separate each of the triangles. Arrange the crescent roll triangles in a circle on the prepared baking sheet, overlapping the wide ends of the triangles to form a sunburst pattern. Leave a small circle in the center, about 4-5 inches in diameter.
  5. Add the Filling: Spoon the seasoned meat and onions mixture evenly onto the overlapping wide ends of the dough circle. (See photos.) Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the meat.
  6. Fold the Dough: Gently lift one of the crescent roll points and pull it across the meat and cheese filling. Tuck the point under the inside of the circle. Repeat this process with the remaining dough points until the filling is fully enclosed.
  7. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the crescent roll dough is golden brown and cooked through.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove the taco ring from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Slice into portions and serve with your choice of toppings.

Notes

  • Optional topping ideas: guacamole, diced avocado, sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, green onions, chopped onion, salsa, lime wedges, black olives.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat cold leftovers in the microwave for about 20 seconds per slice, or in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 375F for best results.

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