Description
Indulge in the crispy, cheesy bliss of this Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, where each bite offers a delightful crunch followed by a melty, savory explosion of flavors. The combination of seasoned beef, creamy refried beans, and a medley of fresh toppings creates a satisfying texture that will transport you straight to your favorite fast-food joint.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Taco Beef:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup water
- For the Pizza:
- 8 small flour tortillas (street taco size)
- 1 (16 oz) can refried beans
- ½ cup Taco Bell-style mild sauce or red enchilada sauce
- 1½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Vegetable oil, for frying tortillas
- Fresh Toppings:
- 2 Roma tomatoes, finely diced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Sliced black olives (optional)
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sour cream
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the chili powder, taco seasoning, ground cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce and water, stirring to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- In a separate pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry each tortilla for about 30 seconds on each side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Spread a layer of refried beans on each fried tortilla, followed by a generous scoop of the taco beef mixture.
- Drizzle with Taco Bell-style mild sauce or red enchilada sauce, then sprinkle with shredded Mexican blend cheese and cheddar cheese.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the assembled pizzas on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and top with diced tomatoes, green onions, black olives, cilantro, jalapeños, sour cream, and hot sauce as desired.
- Slice into quarters and serve immediately.
Notes
- This Mexican pizza can be made ahead by preparing the beef and beans in advance. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Leftover pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with lentils or a meat alternative.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on your preferences or what you have on hand.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: main-dishes
- Method: baking and frying
- Cuisine: American-Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the pizza
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Sodium: 800 milligrams
- Fat: 25 grams
- Saturated Fat: 10 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 40 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Protein: 20 grams
- Cholesterol: 70 milligrams
Keywords: Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, Mexican pizza recipe, Taco Bell recipe, homemade Mexican pizza, Tex-Mex pizza, crispy pizza, easy Mexican pizza, beef pizza, vegetarian pizza option, quick dinner recipe, comfort food, cheesy pizza