Easy Taco Pizza Recipe
If you’re craving the lovechild of pizza night and taco Tuesdays, Easy Taco Pizza is about to become your new obsession. Imagine a golden, flaky crescent roll crust smothered in savory refried beans and zesty taco-seasoned beef, crowned with gooey cheese and all your favorite taco toppings. This playful, family-friendly recipe pulls together in no time and delivers huge flavor rewards—perfect for busy weeknights, game day gatherings, or when you just need to jazz up your dinner routine with something deliciously out of the ordinary. Easy Taco Pizza doesn’t just satisfy your taco and pizza cravings in one swoop—it leaves everybody asking for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Easy Taco Pizza recipe uses straightforward, store-bought staples that come together to create something truly magical. Every ingredient plays its part in layering flavors, textures, and vibrant color—no fussy steps, just maximum satisfaction.
- Ground beef: The savory, juicy base for your taco-inspired topping—choose lean ground beef for less grease.
- Taco seasoning mix: This little packet transforms the beef with all those classic Tex-Mex flavors—no measuring needed!
- Pillsbury crescent rolls: The secret to a buttery, tender crust that bakes up golden and puffy.
- Refried beans: These give every bite a creamy, earthy heartiness—warm them before spreading for easy assembly.
- Shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend: You’ll want a generous layer of melty cheese for that iconic pizza pull—choose your favorite blend.
- Chopped tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes add juicy pops of sweetness and beautiful color.
- Sliced black olives: Salty, briny olives bring bold flavor and a bit of classic taco salad nostalgia.
- Chopped green onions: For a crisp, mild onion bite and a perfect fresh finish on top.
How to Make Easy Taco Pizza
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by getting your oven nice and toasty—preheat to 375°F (190°C). This gives you the crisp, golden crust that makes this Easy Taco Pizza absolutely irresistible when it comes out bubbling and fragrant.
Step 2: Cook and Season the Beef
Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. After about 7 to 10 minutes, it should be crumbly and cooked through—drain off any extra fat so your pizza isn’t greasy. Return the beef to the skillet, sprinkle in the taco seasoning with half to two-thirds cup of water, and let it simmer until thick and flavorful. This step is where that unmistakable taco flavor shines through.
Step 3: Unroll and Prepare the Crust
Unroll the crescent rolls into rectangles and gently press them into an 11.5×16.5 inch jelly roll pan, pinching the seams and pushing the dough up the sides about half an inch. You’ll create a pizza “canvas” that’s just waiting to hold all those glorious taco toppings.
Step 4: Bake the Crust
Pop the prepared crust into your preheated oven and bake for 11 to 13 minutes. You want the dough to puff up and just start turning a tasty golden brown—crisp enough to hold up under the toppings, tender where it counts.
Step 5: Warm the Refried Beans
While the crust bakes, scoop the refried beans into a microwave-safe bowl and heat them for about a minute. This extra step makes them blissfully spreadable, ensuring they go on smooth without tearing your crust.
Step 6: Assemble with Beans and Beef
Once the crust is out of the oven, gently spread that warm blanket of refried beans right over the top. Then, spoon the taco-seasoned beef evenly across the whole surface—you want every bite to have a little of both for the ultimate taco pizza experience.
Step 7: Add Cheese and Fresh Toppings
Now comes the fun part! Sprinkle your cheese generously over the beef, making sure to reach each corner. Artfully scatter the chopped tomatoes, sliced black olives, and green onions on top—you’ll love how colorful and inviting your Easy Taco Pizza looks already.
Step 8: Final Bake
Slide your creation back into the oven for another 3 to 6 minutes, just until the cheese melts to bubbling perfection. This ties everything together and melds the toppings into one scrumptious layer.
Step 9: Slice and Serve
Let the pizza rest for a few minutes so the cheese can set slightly, then use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice it into squares or rectangles (kids especially love finger-sized pieces). Serve it up hot and get ready for cheers!
How to Serve Easy Taco Pizza
Garnishes
Go big with the garnishes! Offer bowls of shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, or even jalapeño slices to let everyone customize their slices. A sprinkle of cilantro is a fresh, vibrant finish that really makes the Easy Taco Pizza pop.
Side Dishes
A crisp green salad or a bowl of crunchy tortilla chips with homemade guacamole pair beautifully here. For a bigger fiesta, add Mexican rice or corn on the cob brushed with a touch of lime butter. These sides help round out your meal and balance the rich flavors of the pizza.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your Easy Taco Pizza into bite-sized squares for a party appetizer platter, or make a build-your-own station with toppings lined up buffet-style. Kids especially love personalizing their slices, and it turns dinner into a lively, interactive event.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Easy Taco Pizza tightly in foil or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. It rewarms beautifully and makes a fantastic next-day lunch.
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze slices, let them cool completely, then wrap each portion individually in plastic wrap and foil. Store them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag for up to two months—a lifesaver for busy schedules.
Reheating
For best results, reheat slices in the oven or a toaster oven at 350°F until warmed through and the crust crisps up again. The microwave works in a pinch but can soften the base a bit. Either way, Easy Taco Pizza is just as crave-worthy the second time around!
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken work just as well as beef in Easy Taco Pizza. Just be sure to season generously—you might want to add a splash of olive oil to keep leaner meats juicy.
What’s the best way to keep the crust from getting soggy?
Baking the crescent roll crust before adding the toppings is key. Don’t skip that initial bake, and make sure your beans and beef aren’t too watery before spreading them on.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Definitely—just skip the ground beef and double up on refried beans or try using sautéed mushrooms and peppers for a flavorful vegetarian twist on Easy Taco Pizza.
How do I store leftovers without everything getting mushy?
Cool leftovers to room temperature before packaging and store them in a single layer in an airtight container. Keep garnishes separate to add after reheating for maximum freshness.
Can I add or swap out toppings?
Of course! Feel free to make this Easy Taco Pizza your own. Add jalapeños, corn, diced bell pepper, or swap in different cheeses. It’s the perfect blank slate for your family’s favorite taco fixings.
Final Thoughts
Next time you’re craving something vibrant, hearty, and unabashedly fun, this Easy Taco Pizza will come to your rescue. It’s got the spirit of taco night and the ease of a sheet pan dinner, rolled into a sensational crowd-pleaser. Invite your family and friends to dig in—you’ll want to make it a regular part of your mealtime rotation!
Print
Easy Taco Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy Taco Pizza is a delicious twist on traditional tacos, combining the flavors of a taco with the convenience of a pizza. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for a fun family dinner or a casual get-together with friends.
Ingredients
Ground Beef
- 1 lb ground beef
Taco Seasoning Mix
- 1 envelope taco seasoning mix
Crescent Rolls
- 2 8 oz cans Pillsbury crescent rolls
Refried Beans
- 1 16 oz can refried beans
Cheese
- 2–3 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
Toppings
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- 4 chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Ground Beef: Brown 1 lb of ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 7-10 minutes; drain excess fat.
- Add Taco Seasoning: Return beef to the skillet, add 1 envelope taco seasoning mix with ½-2/3 cup water; simmer until most liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally.
- Unroll Crescent Rolls: Unroll 2 cans of crescent rolls into rectangles; press into an 11.5×16.5 inch jelly roll pan to form the crust, pressing ½ inch up the edges.
- Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes until golden brown.
- Heat Refried Beans: Microwave 1 can of refried beans for 1 minute to soften.
- Spread Refried Beans: Spread the warmed refried beans over the baked crust.
- Add Ground Beef: Spoon the seasoned ground beef evenly over the refried beans.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle 2-3 cups of shredded cheese over the beef layer.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Evenly distribute ½ cup chopped tomatoes, ¼ cup sliced black olives, and 4 chopped green onions over the cheese.
- Final Bake: Return the taco pizza to the oven for 3-6 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Slice and Serve: Let the taco pizza sit for a few minutes before cutting into squares or rectangles; serve hot.
Notes
- This taco pizza is customizable with your favorite toppings like jalapenos, sour cream, or avocado.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for a quick meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Taco Pizza, Easy Dinner, Mexican Pizza, Taco Recipe
