Introduction
Oh, friend, gather ’round! Do you remember the sheer joy, the pure delight, of biting into a Taco Bell Mexican Pizza? That crispy, layered masterpiece loaded with seasoned beef, beans, sauce, and cheese? For so long, it was just a delicious memory… but guess what? We don’t have to just reminisce anymore! Making your very own homemade version is not only totally possible but also surprisingly easy and ridiculously satisfying. Get ready to bring that iconic taste right into your own kitchen. Trust me, this recipe is going to become a new favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: You can whip this up quicker than a trip through the drive-thru!
- Easy: Simple steps, simple ingredients – totally beginner-friendly.
- Giftable: Okay, maybe not gifting a whole pizza, but perfect for sharing with friends and family!
- Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love the Mexican Pizza? Prepare for cheers.
- Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to make it exactly how you like it.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to gather from your pantry and fridge. Most of these are kitchen staples, making this a super accessible recipe!
- Ground Beef: I like using 80/20 for flavor, but use what you prefer.
- Taco Seasoning: A packet keeps things simple, but feel free to use your own blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder if you’re feeling fancy!
- Water: To help that seasoning work its magic.
- Vegetable Oil: For getting those tortillas perfectly crispy. You’ll need enough to fry them up.
- Flour Tortillas (taco size): The foundation of our pizza! Taco size is usually about 6 inches.
- Refried Beans: Canned is totally fine! We just need them warmed up and spreadable.
- Enchilada Sauce: Again, canned works great. Use your favorite red enchilada sauce.
- Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend: The melty, gooey glue that holds it all together! A blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, etc., is perfect.
For Toppings: Get creative here! These are classic Taco Bell, but add what you love.
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced green onion
- Sliced olives
- Sour cream
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! Follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying your homemade Mexican Pizza in no time.
1. First things first, brown that ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use a spoon or spatula to break it up into crumbles. Once it’s all browned, drain off any excess grease. Nobody likes a greasy pizza!
2. Now, stir in your taco seasoning and the water with the beef. Bring that mixture to a nice simmer. Once it’s bubbling gently, reduce the heat and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes. You want that sauce to thicken up and coat the beef beautifully. Remove it from the heat when it’s done.
3. While your beef is simmering away, gently warm up your refried beans and enchilada sauce. You can do this in separate small saucepans over low heat, or pop them in the microwave for a minute or two until they’re warm and easy to spread.
4. Time for the crispy tortillas! Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You’re aiming for about 350°F (175°C) if you have a thermometer, but if not, a little piece of tortilla should sizzle nicely when dipped in. Carefully fry each tortilla one by one. It only takes 30-60 seconds per side until they’re crisp and golden brown. Use tongs to flip them and then transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off the oil. Chef’s Tip: If you’d rather skip the frying, you can also bake or air-fry the tortillas until they’re nice and crisp!
5. Get your oven ready. Preheat your broiler to high, or preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
6. Let’s assemble! Place one of your crispy fried tortillas on the prepared baking sheet. Spread about 2 tablespoons of those warm refried beans evenly over the top, going almost to the edge.
7. Next, add a layer of your seasoned ground beef. About 2-3 tablespoons per pizza should do the trick. Spread it out over the beans.
8. Carefully place a second fried tortilla right on top of the beef layer. This creates that classic layered structure!
9. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of warm enchilada sauce over the top tortilla. Spread it out evenly, getting close to the edges.
10. Sprinkle approximately ¼ cup of that shredded Mexican cheese blend over the enchilada sauce. Be generous!
11. Now, into the oven! Place the assembled pizzas under the preheated broiler for just 1-2 minutes, or in the regular oven (at 400°F) for 5-8 minutes. You’re watching for the cheese to be melted and bubbly, and the edges of the tortilla to look golden brown. Important: If using the broiler, keep a very close eye on it! It can go from perfect to burnt in seconds.
12. Carefully remove the pizzas from the oven. Now for the best part – add your desired toppings! Pile on those diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, sliced olives, and a nice dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately and enjoy every single bite!
Substitutions & Additions
Want to mix things up? This recipe is super flexible!
- Meat: Not a beef fan? Use ground turkey or chicken instead! Season it the same way with taco seasoning. For a vegetarian version, swap the meat for seasoned crumbled tofu, lentils, or just skip it and add extra beans or roasted veggies.
- Beans: Pinto beans or even black beans (mashed slightly) can work in place of refried beans.
- Sauce: If you don’t have enchilada sauce, a mild salsa could work in a pinch, though the flavor will be different.
- Cheese: Use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack if you like heat!
- Extra Heat: Add some sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce before or after baking.
- More Toppings: Avocado, guacamole, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime would all be delicious additions.
Tips for Success
Making this recipe is straightforward, but a few little pointers can make sure yours turns out perfect every time!
- Crispy Tortillas are Key: Don’t under-fry or under-bake the tortillas. That crisp base and middle layer are what make the Mexican Pizza iconic. Make sure they’re golden and firm. If baking or air frying, check them periodically as times can vary.
- Drain the Fat: Be sure to drain the excess fat from the ground beef after browning. This prevents your pizza from becoming greasy.
- Warm the Sauces: Warming the beans and enchilada sauce makes them much easier to spread evenly.
- Watch the Broiler: Seriously, I can’t stress this enough. Broilers are powerful! Stay right there and watch the cheese melt and bubble to avoid burning. If using the oven, you have a little more wiggle room.
- Don’t Over-Assemble Too Early: Assemble the pizzas just before you’re ready to put them in the oven. If they sit too long, the tortillas can start to get soggy from the beans and sauce.
How to Store It
Okay, while these are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven with that perfect crisp and melty cheese, sometimes you have leftovers (though it’s rare!).
If you have a whole assembled pizza leftover, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. The tortillas will likely lose some of their crispness.
To reheat, place it on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through and the cheese is bubbly again, about 10-15 minutes. Reheating in a microwave might make it quite soft.
Alternatively, you can store the components (beef, beans, sauce, cheese) separately in the fridge for 3-4 days and assemble fresh pizzas as needed.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I bake the tortillas instead of frying?
A: Absolutely! This is a great option if you want to reduce the oil. Brush or spray them lightly with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 5-10 minutes per side, or until golden and crisp. Air frying also works great!
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Yes! Simply swap the ground beef for seasoned plant-based crumbles, lentils, or extra beans and veggies.
Q: Can I make the beef and sauces ahead of time?
A: You bet! Cook the ground beef, and warm the beans and sauce ahead of time. Store them in the fridge and just reheat gently when you’re ready to assemble and bake the pizzas. This makes assembly even faster!
Q: My tortillas aren’t getting crispy! What am I doing wrong?
A: Ensure your oil is hot enough (around 350°F) if frying, or that your oven/air fryer is preheated correctly and you’re giving them enough time until they’re golden and firm, not just lightly colored.
Easy Homemade Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Small saucepans or microwave
- Tongs
- Plate
- paper towels
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper or foil
- Spoon
- Spatula
- Thermometer optional, for oil temperature
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Ground Beef 80/20 recommended
- Taco Seasoning a packet or homemade blend
- Water
- Vegetable Oil enough to fry tortillas
- Flour Tortillas taco size (about 6 inches)
- Refried Beans canned works great
- Enchilada Sauce canned or homemade
- Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
Toppings
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced green onion
- Sliced olives
- Sour cream
Instructions
- First things first, brown that ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use a spoon or spatula to break it up into crumbles. Once it's all browned, drain off any excess grease. Nobody likes a greasy pizza!
- Now, stir in your taco seasoning and the water with the beef. Bring that mixture to a nice simmer. Once it's bubbling gently, reduce the heat and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes. You want that sauce to thicken up and coat the beef beautifully. Remove it from the heat when it's done.
- While your beef is simmering away, gently warm up your refried beans and enchilada sauce. You can do this in separate small saucepans over low heat, or pop them in the microwave for a minute or two until they're warm and easy to spread.
- Time for the crispy tortillas! Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You're aiming for about 350°F (175°C) if you have a thermometer, but if not, a little piece of tortilla should sizzle nicely when dipped in. Carefully fry each tortilla one by one. It only takes 30-60 seconds per side until they're crisp and golden brown. Use tongs to flip them and then transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off the oil. Chef's Tip: If you'd rather skip the frying, you can also bake or air-fry the tortillas until they're nice and crisp!
- Get your oven ready. Preheat your broiler to high, or preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Let's assemble! Place one of your crispy fried tortillas on the prepared baking sheet. Spread about 2 tablespoons of those warm refried beans evenly over the top, going almost to the edge.
- Next, add a layer of your seasoned ground beef. About 2-3 tablespoons per pizza should do the trick. Spread it out over the beans.
- Carefully place a second fried tortilla right on top of the beef layer. This creates that classic layered structure!
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of warm enchilada sauce over the top tortilla. Spread it out evenly, getting close to the edges.
- Sprinkle approximately ¼ cup of that shredded Mexican cheese blend over the enchilada sauce. Be generous!
- Now, into the oven! Place the assembled pizzas under the preheated broiler for just 1-2 minutes, or in the regular oven (at 400°F) for 5-8 minutes. You're watching for the cheese to be melted and bubbly, and the edges of the tortilla to look golden brown. Important: If using the broiler, keep a very close eye on it! It can go from perfect to burnt in seconds.
- Carefully remove the pizzas from the oven. Now for the best part – add your desired toppings! Pile on those diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, sliced olives, and a nice dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately and enjoy every single bite!
Notes
- Fast: You can whip this up quicker than a trip through the drive-thru!
- Easy: Simple steps, simple ingredients – totally beginner-friendly.
- Giftable: Okay, maybe not gifting a whole pizza, but perfect for sharing with friends and family!
- Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn't love the Mexican Pizza? Prepare for cheers.
- Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to make it exactly how you like it. Substitutions & Additions:
- Meat: Use ground turkey or chicken instead! For a vegetarian version, swap the meat for seasoned crumbled tofu, lentils, or just skip it and add extra beans or roasted veggies.
- Beans: Pinto beans or even black beans (mashed slightly) can work in place of refried beans.
- Sauce: If you don't have enchilada sauce, a mild salsa could work in a pinch, though the flavor will be different.
- Cheese: Use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack if you like heat!
- Extra Heat: Add some sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce before or after baking.
- More Toppings: Avocado, guacamole, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime would all be delicious additions. Tips for Success:
- Crispy Tortillas are Key: Don't under-fry or under-bake the tortillas. That crisp base and middle layer are what make the Mexican Pizza iconic. Make sure they're golden and firm. If baking or air frying, check them periodically as times can vary.
- Drain the Fat: Be sure to drain the excess fat from the ground beef after browning. This prevents your pizza from becoming greasy.
- Warm the Sauces: Warming the beans and enchilada sauce makes them much easier to spread evenly.
- Watch the Broiler: Seriously, I can't stress this enough. Broilers are powerful! Stay right there and watch the cheese melt and bubble to avoid burning. If using the oven, you have a little more wiggle room.
- Don't Over-Assemble Too Early: Assemble the pizzas just before you're ready to put them in the oven. If they sit too long, the tortillas can start to get soggy from the beans and sauce. How to Store It:
Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. The tortillas will likely lose some crispness. To reheat a whole pizza, place on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through and bubbly. Reheating in a microwave might make it soft. Alternatively, store components (beef, beans, sauce, cheese) separately in the fridge for 3-4 days and assemble fresh as needed. FAQs:
- Can I bake the tortillas instead of frying? Yes! Brush or spray lightly with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 5-10 minutes per side, or until golden and crisp. Air frying also works great!
- Can I make this vegetarian? Yes! Swap ground beef for seasoned plant-based crumbles, lentils, or extra beans and veggies.
- Can I make the beef and sauces ahead of time? Yes! Cook beef, warm beans/sauce ahead, store in fridge, reheat gently before assembling.
- My tortillas aren't getting crispy! What am I doing wrong? Ensure oil is hot enough (~350°F) if frying, or oven/air fryer is preheated correctly and they are given enough time to become golden and firm.