Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Recipe

I recently made this copycat Mexican pizza and it exceeded my expectations. The combination of soft tortillas layered with creamy refried beans, zesty beef, rich pizza sauce, and gooey cheese is irresistible. Each bite offers a satisfying blend of textures and flavors that transform fast food cravings into a home-cooked delight.

I love making my own Taco Bell mexican pizza at home. I start off with four 8-inch flour tortillas, which serve as the base for all the goodness.

I spread a can of refried beans evenly on each tortilla then layer on 1 lb of ground beef, mixed with a packet of taco seasoning and 1/3 cup water. Next I add 1 cup of pizza sauce and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, sometimes mixing in monterey jack for extra flavor.

I follow up with 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes (drained well) and finish off with 1/4 cup sliced black olives and 2 tbsp chopped green onions if i have them on hand. This homemade taco pizza brings together proteins and fiber from the beef and beans making it a surprisingly balanced fast food option.

Enjoy creating this copycat recipe that mirrors taco bell recipes with a healthier touch.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it’s super easy to make even when I’m in a rush for dinner. I can throw together the ingredients, follow the simple steps and have a delicious meal without too much thinking.

I also love how it mixes classic flavors in a fun way. I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy a combo of hearty refried beans, savory beef and loads of cheesy goodness? It just tastes like the perfect comfort food to me.

Another thing is that it’s really versatile. Sometimes I like to add extra toppings or swap out a few ingredients. It makes me feel creative in the kitchen even if i don’t have a lot of experience.

Plus, the way the cheese melts over all the other ingredients makes every bite warm and satisfying. Its kind of my favorite thing about the whole recipe.

Ingredients

• Flour tortillas: soft and chewy base with carbs that fuel tasty Mexican pizza layers.
• Refried beans: protein and fibre loaded beans mashed into a creamy filling for texture.
• Ground beef: rich in protein and flavor adds meaty savoriness you crav.
• Pizza sauce: tangy and slightly sweet tomatoes that brighten up every bite in every layer.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: melty, gooey goodness making everything extra cheesy and indulgent.

Ingredient Quantities

• 4 8-inch flour tortillas
• 1 can (16 oz) refried beans
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and monterey jack)
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, drained
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
• 2 tbsp chopped green onions (optional)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F and lightly grease a baking sheet.

2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink; then add the taco seasoning and 1/3 cup water. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens up.

3. Lay out 2 tortillas on your work surface. Spread a generous layer of refried beans onto one tortilla.

4. Place the second tortilla on top of the refried beans, pressing gently so they stick together.

5. Spoon the pizza sauce evenly over the top tortilla and then spread the seasoned beef in a thin layer on top of that.

6. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the beef so that there’s a nice blanket of melty goodness over everything.

7. Repeat the process with the remaining 2 tortillas and the rest of your beef, beans, sauce and cheese to form a second layered pizza.

8. Carefully place both pizzas on the prepared baking sheet and pop them in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

9. When you take them out of the oven, sprinkle the diced tomatoes, and if you like, the black olives and green onions on top.

10. Let the pizzas cool for a couple of minutes before slicing them up into wedges. Enjoy your homemade Mexican pizza!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven – for preheating to 425°F (make sure it heats up properly)
2. Baking sheet – lightly greased to place the pizzas on
3. Skillet – to cook the ground beef with the taco seasoning
4. Spatula – for stirring the beef and ensuring it cooks evenly
5. Work surface – any clean counter or table where you can lay out the tortillas
6. Measuring cups – needed for the 1/3 cup of water and the pizza sauce
7. Knife – for dicing the tomatoes and chopping the green onions
8. Cutting board – to safely cut the veggies
9. Pizza cutter or knife – to slice the pizzas into wedges after they’re done cooking

FAQ

• Question: How do I prepare the ground beef for the Mexican Pizza?
  Answer: First, brown the beef in a pan over medium heat and then drain off any excess fat. After that, toss in the taco seasoning with 1/3 cup of water and let it simmer till it gets nice and thick.
• Question: Can I prep the ingredients ahead of time?
  Answer: Yup, you can pre-cook the beef and even spread out the refried beans, but for the best taste, assemble and bake it right before serving so the tortillas stay crispy.
• Question: What if I dont have the exact cheese mix?
  Answer: No worries, you can stick with just cheddar or mix in some monterey jack instead. It might change the flavor a little but its still super yummy.
• Question: How can I make this recipe a bit spicier?
  Answer: If you like things spicy, try adding some jalapeno slices or a pinch of red pepper flakes either when cooking the beef or as a topping before baking.
• Question: Do I really have to bake the pizza?
  Answer: Baking helps to meld the flavors and crisp up the edges of the tortillas, but if youre in a rush, you can try heating it in a skillet on low heat to warm everything through.

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of refried beans you could mash up some black beans with a dash of cumin and garlic powder
• If you dont have ground beef, try ground turkey or even crumbled extra-firm tofu for a veggie twist
• No taco seasoning on hand? Mix chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cumin as a quick DIY blend
• If you dont have shredded cheddar cheese, use a mix of Monterey Jack and mozzarella for that melty goodness

Pro Tips

Pro Tip 1: Warm your tortillas in a dry pan for about 10-15 seconds each before assembling. It helps them get more flexible and less likely to tear when you spread the beans and other fillings on top.

Pro Tip 2: When you’re simmering the beef with the taco seasoning, let it go a bit longer if it seems too watery. That extra minute or two helps the flavors concentrate and prevents your pizza from getting soggy.

Pro Tip 3: Spread the cheese evenly over the beef layer. If some parts get too cheesy while others don’t, your pizza might not melt uniformly and you’ll end up with a less balanced bite.

Pro Tip 4: Avoid overloading with too many extra toppings. While extras like diced tomatoes and olives are fun, too much can make the tortilla a bit heavy and tricky to slice up after baking.