This Mexican Pizza is a fun, flavorful twist on traditional pizza, featuring crispy tortillas, seasoned ground beef, refried beans, melted cheese, and fresh toppings. A family favorite that combines the best of Tex-Mex flavors into one delicious dish!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Mexican Pizza is a perfect blend of savory and crispy, making it a hit for dinner or a party snack. The combination of seasoned ground beef, creamy refried beans, and gooey cheese, all layered between crispy tortillas, delivers satisfying flavors and textures. Topped with fresh ingredients like diced tomatoes, black olives, and green onions, this pizza offers a perfect balance of crunch and creaminess. It’s an easy-to-make, customizable dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table!
Ingredients
For the Taco Meat:
1 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup taco sauce
For the Mexican Pizza:
12 6-inch flour tortillas
1/2 cup oil (vegetable, olive, or avocado oil)
1 (16-ounce) can refried beans
1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded pepper-jack cheese
1 large tomato, diced
1 (6-ounce) can black olives, sliced
3-4 green onions, sliced
Sour cream (optional)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prepare the Taco Meat:
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
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Drain any excess grease from the beef.
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Add the taco seasoning and water to the beef. Stir and let it simmer.
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Stir in 1/2 cup taco sauce, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare the Tortillas:
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
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In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
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Fry each flour tortilla in the oil until lightly browned and crispy. If the tortillas bubble up, gently pop the bubbles with a fork. Remove from the skillet and place on paper towels to drain.
Warm the Refried Beans:
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In a small pan over medium heat, warm the refried beans until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Assemble the Mexican Pizza:
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Place a crispy tortilla on a baking sheet.
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Spread a layer of refried beans on top of the tortilla.
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Add a layer of taco meat on top of the beans.
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Place another tortilla on top to create a “sandwich.”
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Spread 3-4 tablespoons of enchilada sauce on top of the tortilla.
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Sprinkle with cheddar and pepper-jack cheese.
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Top with diced tomatoes and sliced black olives.
Bake:
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Place the pizzas in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve:
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Remove the Mexican pizzas from the oven. Top with sliced green onions.
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Cut into slices and serve with sour cream if desired.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 4-6
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 15 minutes
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Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
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Add Extra Toppings: Add jalapeños, avocado, cilantro, or even a dollop of guacamole for extra flavor.
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Spicy Option: For a spicier version, include diced green chilies or hot sauce in the taco meat or on top of the pizza.
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Vegetarian Version: Swap the ground beef for a plant-based protein or seasoned black beans for a vegetarian option.
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Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free tortillas to make this dish gluten-free.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: To reheat, place the Mexican pizzas in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also use the microwave, though the tortillas will lose their crispiness.
FAQs
1. Can I make the taco meat ahead of time?
Yes, the taco meat can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before assembling the pizzas.
2. Can I use hard taco shells instead of tortillas?
Yes, you can use hard taco shells for a different texture, but they might not hold up as well as the fried tortillas in this recipe.
3. Can I freeze the Mexican pizza?
You can freeze the assembled Mexican pizzas before baking. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
4. Can I use store-bought enchilada sauce?
Yes, store-bought enchilada sauce works great in this recipe! Feel free to use your favorite brand.
5. Can I make the refried beans from scratch?
Absolutely! Homemade refried beans would add an extra layer of flavor to the pizza. Simply cook pinto beans with some garlic, onion, and seasoning, then mash them for a creamy texture.
6. Can I add meatless protein options?
Yes, you can replace the ground beef with seasoned tofu, tempeh, or even quinoa for a meatless alternative.
7. How do I make the pizza extra crispy?
To make the pizza extra crispy, you can bake the tortillas for a few minutes before assembling the pizzas to dry them out more before adding the toppings.
8. Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes, you can substitute the cheddar and pepper-jack cheese with any other cheese you prefer, such as mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
9. Can I use corn tortillas?
While corn tortillas work, they won’t give you the same crispy texture as flour tortillas. If you prefer corn tortillas, you can lightly fry them before assembling the pizzas.
10. How can I make this recipe spicier?
You can add diced jalapeños, hot sauce, or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the taco meat or as a topping for an extra spicy kick.
Conclusion
This Mexican Pizza recipe is a fun and flavorful twist on traditional pizza, combining crispy tortillas, savory taco meat, creamy refried beans, and melty cheese. With a simple enchilada sauce and fresh toppings, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you serve it for dinner, at a party, or as a quick weeknight meal, these Mexican pizzas are sure to satisfy your cravings for bold, tasty flavors!
Print
Mexican Pizza
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Mexican Pizza recipe is a delicious combination of crispy tortillas, refried beans, seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings. It’s a fun twist on traditional pizza and a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup taco sauce
- 12 6-inch flour tortillas
- 1/2 cup oil (vegetable, olive, or avocado oil)
- 1 (16-ounce) can refried beans
- 1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded pepper-jack cheese
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1 (6-ounce) can black olives, sliced
- 3–4 green onions, sliced
- Sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Taco Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess grease from the beef. Add the taco seasoning and water to the beef. Stir and let it simmer. Stir in 1/2 cup taco sauce, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Tortillas: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Fry each flour tortilla in the oil until lightly browned and crispy. If the tortillas bubble up, gently pop the bubbles with a fork. Remove from the skillet and place on paper towels to drain.
- Warm the Refried Beans: In a small pan over medium heat, warm the refried beans until heated through. Stir occasionally.
- Assemble the Mexican Pizza: Place a crispy tortilla on a baking sheet. Spread a layer of refried beans on top of the tortilla. Add a layer of taco meat on top of the beans. Place another tortilla on top to create a ‘sandwich.’ Spread 3-4 tablespoons of enchilada sauce on top of the tortilla. Sprinkle with cheddar and pepper-jack cheese. Top with diced tomatoes and sliced black olives.
- Bake: Place the pizzas in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the Mexican pizzas from the oven. Top with sliced green onions. Cut into slices and serve with sour cream if desired.
Notes
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Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
