Taco Braid

TACO BRAID

My favorite cuisine is Mexican cuisine. My husband and kids will be up for tacos several times a week, but it works to my advantage. It gives me the opportunity to get creative with stuff like this Simple Taco Braid.

Spice up a taco night with a simple taco braid at home! It’s a fantastic take on a classic, stuffed with tasty taco meat and creamy processed cheese.

Ingredients
1 canister refrigerated pizza crust
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 lb. Lean Ground Beef
3 tablespoons Homemade Taco Seasoning
1/2 cup water
1 cup Fiesta Blend shredded cheese divided
1 to mato diced, plus additional for top, if desired
2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
2 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
Sour cream and taco sauce for serving if desired

Instructions
Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with parchment.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
in a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 3 – 5 minutes.
Add the Lean Ground Beef and cook until brown.
Add the Homemade Taco Seasoning and water and mix until well incorporated.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 – 7 minutes.
Meanwhile, transfer the piece of parchment to your work surface.
Place the pizza dough on the parchment and roll it so that it measures 10 X 15 – inches.
With a pizza cutter, make slices 1 1/2 – inches thick and 3 – inches in along both long sides of the dough.
Place the ground beef down the center of the dough.
Cover the beef with 3/4 cup of cheese and then add the 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.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese on top.
Transfer the parchment on to the rimmed baking sheet.
Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, until golden brown.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Cover with chopped Romaine lettuce and additional tomato, if desired.
Serve with sour cream and taco sauce.