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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
