Description
These Easy Mexican Pizzas are a delicious and quick way to enjoy bold Tex-Mex flavors. Layered with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, melted Colby Jack cheese, and topped with fresh diced tomatoes and green onions, these crispy tortillas baked to perfection make a perfect appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 chopped onion
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried cilantro
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 TBSP minced garlic
Main Components
- 16 small fajita-size flour tortillas
- 1 can refried beans
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- Taco sauce (to taste)
Toppings
- Diced tomatoes (for garnish)
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Cooking
- Vegetable oil (for frying tortillas)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef together with the chopped onion until fully cooked. Once cooked, drain any excess grease from the skillet to prevent sogginess.
- Season the Meat: Add salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, dried cilantro, cayenne pepper, and minced garlic to the beef mixture. Stir well to ensure all spices are evenly combined and the beef is flavorful.
- Fry the Tortillas: In a separate skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Fry each small flour tortilla until both sides turn golden brown and slightly crispy, then drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Assemble the Pizzas: Spread a layer of refried beans evenly on each fried tortilla. Top with a generous portion of the seasoned beef, then sprinkle with shredded Colby Jack cheese. Cover this with another fried tortilla. Add taco sauce and more shredded cheese on top for added flavor and richness.
- Bake to Melt: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the assembled Mexican pizzas on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the pizzas from the oven and top with fresh diced tomatoes and chopped green onions before serving. Enjoy hot as a tasty and satisfying meal or appetizer.
Notes
- You can adjust the level of spiciness by reducing or increasing the cayenne pepper.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the tortillas from the oil to avoid excess grease.
- For a healthier version, consider baking the tortillas instead of frying, although this may reduce crispiness.
- Feel free to add other toppings like sliced jalapeños, olives, or sour cream when serving.
- To save time, ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for ground beef.
