The Viral Taco Crescent Roll Ring That’ll Save Lunch
This cheesy taco crescent ring is flaky, fun, and packed with flavor—made with ground beef, taco seasoning, and melty cheese. A guaranteed hit for lunch or dinner!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 packet (1 oz) Old El Paso™ Original Taco Seasoning Mix
½ cup water
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 oz)
2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls
Optional Toppings (for serving)
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Sliced black olives
Avocado or guacamole
Salsa
Jalapeños
Instructions
Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns.
Drain: Drain excess grease to keep the filling from becoming soggy.
Season: Add taco seasoning and ½ cup water. Simmer until thickened and most of the liquid has absorbed.
Combine & Cool: Transfer seasoned beef to a bowl. Stir in shredded cheddar and let it cool slightly to prevent soggy dough.
Prepare the Dough: On a large, ungreased baking sheet, unroll crescent rolls and arrange the triangles in a sun shape, wide ends overlapping in a circle.
Add Filling: Spoon the beef mixture along the wide ends, forming a continuous ring of filling.
Form the Ring: Fold the pointed ends of each crescent triangle over the filling and tuck underneath the center of the ring.
Bake: Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and flaky.
Serve: Slice and serve with your favorite taco toppings.
Notes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t skip draining the beef—extra grease ruins the texture.
Avoid overfilling the triangles, or the ring may burst while baking.
Cooling the beef slightly prevents soggy dough and oily cheese.
Make sure the dough turns golden brown, not pale, for the right texture.
Substitutions & Variations
Meat: Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or a mix of black beans + corn for a vegetarian option.
Cheese: Try pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or a taco blend.
Seasoning: Use homemade taco seasoning (chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder) if you don’t have a packet.
Dough: Crescent rolls give the classic look, but puff pastry can be used for an extra-flaky version.
Serving Tips
Set up a toppings bar so everyone can customize their slice. This ring also reheats well, making it great for meal prep.
