If you have ever craved that iconic fast-food favorite, you’re in for a treat with Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza Recipe. This crave-worthy Tex-Mex dish layers crispy tortillas, seasoned beef, creamy refried beans, and melty cheese, all topped with vibrant enchilada sauce and fresh veggies. It’s such a fun and flavorful recipe that brings the joy of a Taco Bell classic right into your own kitchen. Whether you want to impress guests or simply indulge your taco-loving heart, this Mexican pizza makes every bite a celebration of bold tastes and comforting textures.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple but essential ingredients is the first step to creating a perfect Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza Recipe. Each element plays an important role, from the crispy tortillas providing the crunch to the seasoned beef adding hearty depth, and the fresh toppings bringing brightness.
- 1 pound ground beef: The savory base that flavors the entire dish with rich, meaty goodness.
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix: Adds classic Mexican spices for an authentic taste.
- 2/3 cup water: Helps the taco seasoning meld into the beef perfectly.
- 1 can (15 ounces) refried beans: Creamy texture that complements the crunchy tortillas beautifully.
- 8 small flour tortillas: The foundation of our Mexican pizza, fried to a golden crisp.
- 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying): Essential for achieving the perfect crispy tortilla layers.
- 1 cup red enchilada sauce or Taco Bell mild sauce: This saucy topping delivers moisture and tangy flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese: Melts to gooey perfection, uniting all the layers.
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes: Adds fresh bursts of color and juiciness.
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions: Provides a mild, oniony crunch that lightens the dish.
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional): A briny contrast to the richness, if you like olives.
- Sour cream and hot sauce for serving (optional): Perfect finishing touches to customize your bites.
How to Make Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Beef Mixture
Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Once browned, drain the excess fat to avoid greasiness. Then stir in the taco seasoning mix along with 2/3 cup of water. Let it simmer gently for about five minutes until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld into that perfect spicy-savoury combination.
Step 2: Warm the Refried Beans
While the beef is cooking, warm the refried beans in a small saucepan. You want them soft and spreadable so they can layer nicely on top of the crispy tortillas, adding creamy richness that balances the texture beautifully.
Step 3: Fry the Tortillas
Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. One at a time, fry each flour tortilla until golden and crispy, flipping after about 30 to 60 seconds on each side. Drain them on paper towels to remove any excess oil. This step is what gives Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza Recipe its irresistible crunch.
Step 4: Assemble the Mexican Pizzas
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On four of the crispy tortillas, spread a generous layer of refried beans. Top each with a hearty scoop of seasoned beef, then sandwich with the remaining tortillas. This creates a sturdy “pizza” base that’s ready for the finishing touches.
Step 5: Add Sauce and Toppings
Next, spread enchilada sauce evenly over the top tortillas. Sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese over each pizza along with diced tomatoes, green onions, and black olives if you’re using them. These vibrant toppings add fresh color, texture, and those signature flavors that bring all the layers together.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place the assembled Mexican pizzas on a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. This final baking step melts everything into gooey perfection while keeping that crispy tortilla crunch underneath.
How to Serve Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
To take your Mexican pizza to the next level, top it off with a dollop of sour cream and a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. The cool creaminess beautifully balances the spice, and the hot sauce adds a punch of heat that can be tailored to your liking.
Side Dishes
Serve your taco pizza alongside some fresh guacamole and a crisp green salad for freshness. Corn chips or a Mexican street corn salad make delightful companions too, adding layers of texture and flavor that complement the richness of the pizza.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress your guests, slice the pizza into quarters and serve on colorful plates with small bowls of salsa and jalapeños. You can also customize toppings by offering a “build your own” taco pizza bar where everyone can add their favorite extras, making it interactive and fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Mexican pizza can be saved in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 2 days, allowing you to enjoy this delicious dish later without sacrificing taste or texture.
Freezing
If you want to prepare in advance, this recipe also freezes nicely. Wrap each assembled and baked Mexican pizza tightly with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to one month. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat and maintain that signature crunch, place the leftover slices in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) or use an air fryer for about 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make the tortillas soggy.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey offers a lighter alternative and works wonderfully with the taco seasoning, keeping the flavor profile just as delicious.
What can I use if I don’t want to deep fry the tortillas?
You can lightly toast the tortillas in a skillet or use an air fryer to get them crispy without the extra oil. It’s a quicker and healthier option.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Replace the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or use extra refried beans to keep it hearty and flavorful.
What kind of cheese is best for this recipe?
A Mexican blend cheese works best because it melts nicely and combines cheddar, Monterey Jack, and other cheeses for complex flavor.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe uses flour tortillas, which contain gluten. To make it gluten-free, swap for corn tortillas and check the seasoning ingredients carefully.
Final Thoughts
There is something incredibly satisfying about making Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza Recipe right at home—the perfect combination of crunchy tortillas, seasoned beef, and vibrant toppings that delivers that unmistakable flavor with every bite. I encourage you to give this recipe a go, whether for a casual dinner or a fun weekend treat. Once you try it, Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza will become one of your favorite homemade Tex-Mex indulgences too!
Print
Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (1 pizza per serving)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Description
This Taco Bell-inspired Mexican Pizza features a crispy tortilla crust layered with refried beans, seasoned ground beef, enchilada sauce, and a colorful mix of Mexican blend cheese, tomatoes, green onions, and olives. Baked until bubbly and melty, it’s a flavorful Tex-Mex main course perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Meat and Beans
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 can (15 ounces) refried beans
Tortillas and Frying
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
Toppings
- 1 cup red enchilada sauce or Taco Bell mild sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- Sour cream and hot sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.
- Simmer with seasoning: Add the taco seasoning mix and 2/3 cup water to the cooked beef. Stir well and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, allowing the seasoning to thicken and infuse the meat.
- Warm the refried beans: In a small saucepan, gently heat the refried beans until they become soft and easily spreadable, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Fry the tortillas: Heat 1 cup of vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry each flour tortilla one at a time for about 30 to 60 seconds on each side, until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Preheat oven: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the assembled pizzas.
- Assemble the pizzas: Spread a layer of warmed refried beans evenly over four tortillas. Spoon the seasoned ground beef over the beans. Place the remaining four tortillas on top to form a sandwich-like “pizza.”
- Add toppings: Spread red enchilada sauce or mild sauce over the top tortillas. Sprinkle generously with shredded Mexican blend cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions, and black olives if using.
- Bake: Place the pizzas onto a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, cut each pizza into quarters, and serve warm with optional sour cream and hot sauce on the side.
Notes
- For a quicker and healthier alternative, air-fry or toast the tortillas instead of deep-frying them.
- Substitute ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to make a lighter version.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
