Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

This Mexican Pizza recipe is my homemade take on the famous Taco Bell classic that captures all the crispy, cheesy, and saucy goodness you love with a fresh twist. It combines fried tortillas, robustly seasoned ground beef, creamy refried beans, savory enchilada sauce, and loads of melted cheese so you can control every ingredient and add your favorite toppings.

This recipe brings back great memories from when Taco Bell first introduced the Mexican Pizza. I made this at home during a weekend family gathering and it quickly became one of our go to comfort foods because everyone loved how crispy and flavorful it was.

Ingredients

• Ground beef: a classic base providing rich flavor but feel free to swap for ground turkey, chicken, or a meat substitute for a lighter option
• Taco seasoning: adds that signature, zesty flavor homemade versions really elevate this dish if you have the time
• Water: helps bring the seasoning together into a thick sauce for the beef
• Refried beans: creamy layer that adds heartiness and texture canned works but slow cooked beans lift the flavor even more
• Enchilada sauce: gives the Mexican pizza sauce that tangy, spicy note you can add diced tomatoes to mimic the Taco Bell style
• Shredded Mexican cheese blend: melty and flavorful this is key for the gooey top layer
• Flour tortillas: medium sized flour tortillas fry up crisp and act as the perfect base and top
• Vegetable oil: for frying tortillas to a golden crispy texture essential for that satisfying crunch

Instructions

Sear the Beef:

Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat until browned and crumbled. Drain excess grease to avoid sogginess on the pizza base. Return beef to skillet.

Add Seasoning and Simmer:

Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef, pour in water, and stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer until thickened into a rich, flavorful meat sauce.

Heat the Oil for Frying:

Pour vegetable oil into a separate large skillet or pan and heat over medium heat. Test the oil by dropping in a tiny piece of tortilla. It should sizzle immediately to ensure the temperature is just right.

Fry the Tortillas:

Add one tortilla at a time to the hot oil. Fry for 2 to 4 minutes, flipping frequently until each side is crispy and golden. Remove and drain on paper towels to get rid of excess oil while keeping them crunchy.

Warm the Refried Beans:

Heat the refried beans in a microwave safe bowl until hot. This softens them, making it easier to spread smoothly over the fried tortillas.

Assemble the Mexican Pizza:

Spread a generous layer of the warm refried beans on each fried tortilla. Spoon an even layer of the seasoned ground beef over the beans. Top with a second fried tortilla.

Add Sauce and Cheese:

Spread about two tablespoons of enchilada sauce across each stack of tortillas. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the sauce to cover the top.

Bake Until Melty:

Place the assembled pizzas on a large nonstick baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese melts completely and bubbles.

Serve and Garnish:

Remove from oven and serve immediately with your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, sliced olives, green onions, or sour cream to add freshness and contrast to the rich layers.

One of my favorite ingredients here is the refried beans because they add such a creamy, binding layer that keeps everything together while adding richness. This dish always sparks fun memories with my family when we gather around the table talking and sharing slices loaded with olives and green onions exactly like we enjoyed as kids.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days. Reheat in an air fryer or toaster oven to bring back the crispness. For longer storage wrap tightly in plastic and foil and freeze up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Ingredient Substitutions

Try ground turkey or shredded chicken if you want a lighter option. Black beans mashed with a touch of cumin and garlic can replace refried beans for a vegetarian twist. Swap enchilada sauce for salsa verde for a tangier variation.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with sides like Mexican rice, guacamole, and fresh pico de gallo. A dollop of sour cream or a squeeze of lime brightens the flavors beautifully. For a party cut pizzas into wedges for easy sharing.

Make this at home for a crowd and let everyone customize their slices. The crispy tortillas and melty cheese are the best part.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I use different meats instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat substitutes work well and offer varied flavors and textures.

→ What size tortillas work best?

You can use street taco-sized, burrito-sized, or even larger Azteca taco bowl shells depending on your preferred portion size.

→ Is frying the tortillas necessary?

Frying yields the crispiest texture, but tortillas can also be baked or air-fried for a lighter option.

→ How can I mimic the Taco Bell sauce at home?

Use enchilada sauce mixed with a small amount of diced tomatoes to approximate the original flavor.

→ How should leftovers be stored and reheated?

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze up to 2 months. Reheat in an air fryer, toaster oven, or microwave.