Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat) Recipe

Introduction

Craving a fun and flavorful twist on pizza? This Mexican Pizza recipe, inspired by Taco Bell’s famous dish, layers crispy tortillas with seasoned beef, beans, and melted cheese for a deliciously satisfying meal. It’s perfect for a casual dinner or game day snack.

The image shows four slices of a layered taco dish arranged on a wooden board placed on a white marbled surface. Each slice has a crispy beige taco shell as the base layer, filled with a dark brown meat filling. The next layer is melted orange and white cheese covering the surface, topped with a mix of fresh diced tomatoes, white onions, green peppers, and black olive slices. A dollop of white sour cream adds creaminess, scattered with black pepper specks. Small pieces of the fresh mix are scattered around the slices on the board. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
  • 2/3 cup water (158g)
  • 1 Tablespoon oil
  • 20 corn tortillas
  • 2 cups refried beans (260g or a 16 oz can)
  • 1 1/4 cups red enchilada sauce (240g or a 10 oz can)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (226g)
  • 1 Roma tomato, diced
  • 1/2 cup sliced olives (71g)
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • Sour cream, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Drain any grease. Stir in taco seasoning and water, then simmer until the mixture thickens slightly.
  2. Step 2: Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Fry corn tortillas one at a time until golden and crispy on both sides, flipping halfway. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  3. Step 3: To assemble, spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on one tortilla. Add a layer of refried beans, then spoon on the taco meat. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, then top with a second tortilla. Spread more enchilada sauce and cheese on top.
  4. Step 4: Place assembled pizzas on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and garnish with sliced olives, diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream if desired. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or extra beans.
  • Use flour tortillas instead of corn for a softer crust.
  • Add jalapeños or hot sauce to spice it up.
  • Try different cheeses like Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend for varied flavor.

Storage

Store leftover Mexican pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F until warmed through and the cheese is melty again. Avoid microwaving if possible to maintain crispiness.

How to Serve

The image shows several triangular pieces of layered quesadillas on a wooden board set on a white marbled texture. Each quesadilla has a crispy, golden yellow tortilla base and is filled with a layer of seasoned cooked meat. On top is a thick layer of melted orange and white cheese, bubbling and slightly browned. The slices are garnished with colorful toppings including diced red tomatoes, white onions, green peppers, and black olive rings. Dollops of white sour cream with scattered black pepper are visible on some pieces, adding creamy contrast. Small bits of the toppings spill onto the wooden board around the quesadillas, giving the scene a fresh and appetizing look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the pizzas ahead and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Just add the toppings and bake right before serving for best results.

What can I use if I don’t have taco seasoning?

You can make a quick seasoning blend with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper as a substitute for store-bought taco seasoning.

Print
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Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat) Recipe


  • Author: lilan
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This Mexican Pizza recipe is a delicious Taco Bell copycat featuring layers of crispy corn tortillas, seasoned ground beef, refried beans, enchilada sauce, and melted cheddar cheese. Topped with fresh tomatoes, sliced olives, and green onions, this homemade version offers all the flavor of the fast-food favorite with the comfort of a homemade meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
  • 2/3 cup water (158g)
  • 1 Tablespoon oil

Layers

  • 20 corn tortillas
  • 2 cups refried beans (260g or 16 oz can)
  • 1 1/4 cups red enchilada sauce (240g or 10 oz can)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (226g)

Toppings

  • 1 Roma tomato, diced
  • 1/2 cup sliced olives (71g)
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • Sour cream (for garnish, quantity as desired)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef, using a wooden spoon to crumble it into small pieces. Once cooked through, drain any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and water, mixing well to combine the flavors. Allow the mixture to simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
  2. Crisp the Tortillas: Heat the tablespoon of oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, cook each corn tortilla one at a time, flipping halfway through, until they are golden and slightly crisp on both sides. Remove each crisped tortilla and place on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
  3. Assemble the Mexican Pizzas: On a baking sheet, start by spooning a thin layer of enchilada sauce over one crisped tortilla. Spread a layer of refried beans over the sauce, then add a spoonful of the seasoned taco meat. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, then top with another crisped tortilla. Spread more enchilada sauce on the top tortilla and sprinkle with additional cheese for a cheesy finish.
  4. Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Bake the assembled Mexican pizzas for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly, ensuring the layers meld together.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizzas from the oven and garnish with sliced olives, diced Roma tomatoes, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream if desired. Cut the pizzas into wedges and serve warm for a satisfying meal.

Notes

  • For a spicier version, consider adding jalapeños or hot sauce to the toppings.
  • Refried beans can be substituted with black beans or pinto beans for a different texture.
  • Use whole wheat or flour tortillas if corn tortillas are unavailable, but the crispiness may vary.
  • Leftover Mexican pizza can be reheated in a skillet or oven to maintain crispness.
  • This recipe can be made vegetarian by substituting the ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative or extra beans.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: Mexican Pizza, Taco Bell Copycat, Mexican recipe, Ground beef recipe, Enchilada sauce, Refried beans, Homemade Mexican pizza

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