Are you craving the iconic Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell? For many of us, it’s a nostalgic favorite, a delicious memory from childhood. I remember those trips to Taco Bell fondly, and the Mexican Pizza was always my go-to order. That irresistible Mexican pizza sauce, those comforting layers of refried beans, the satisfying crunch of the crispy shells, and of course, that melty cheese – it was simply perfection!
While fast food isn’t a regular part of my diet anymore, my love for Mexican pizzas hasn’t faded. That’s why I started making them at home, and guess what? You can too!
This homemade Mexican Pizza Recipe is surprisingly easy to make. If you’re familiar with making tacos, you’re already halfway there. Think of it as a customizable, homemade version of the Taco Bell classic, packed with flavor and made with fresh ingredients.
So, are you ready to learn how to make the best Mexican pizza right in your own kitchen? Let’s get cooking!
What Goes into a Mexican Pizza? – Mexican Pizza Ingredients
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
For Crispy Tortillas:
- Corn Tortillas: While corn tortillas are traditional for that authentic crispy base, you can also use flour tortillas if you prefer a softer texture.
- Oil: You’ll need oil for frying the tortillas to achieve that perfect crispy shell.
For the Mexican Pizzas:
- Refried Beans: For the most flavorful pizza, try making your own homemade refried beans! Alternatively, use your favorite store-bought brand.
- Vegetable Oil: A bit of vegetable oil is needed for cooking the ground beef.
- Ground Beef: For a lighter option, feel free to substitute ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Taco Seasoning: Homemade is always best! Try my homemade taco seasoning recipe for an extra kick.
- Enchilada Sauce: Elevate your Mexican pizza with homemade enchilada sauce! My homemade red enchilada sauce recipe is fantastic, or for a milder flavor, consider this taco sauce recipe. Of course, your favorite store-bought sauce will also work perfectly.
- Cheddar Cheese: Classic cheddar is a great choice, but feel free to get creative with your cheese blend! Pepper jack, Monterrey jack, Colby, or mozzarella are all delicious melty options.
- Toppings: This is where you can customize your Mexican pizza to your liking! Diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and green onions are classic choices, and don’t forget your favorite hot sauce for an extra layer of flavor and heat.
- Salt: To taste, for seasoning.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Authentic Mexican Pizzas
First, we’ll prepare the crispy corn tortillas. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the corn tortillas for a couple of minutes on each side until they turn a beautiful golden brown and become wonderfully crispy.
Immediately sprinkle them with salt while they are still hot and then drain any excess oil by placing them on paper towels.
For a shortcut, you can also use pre-made tostada shells.
Next, cook the ground beef. Brown the ground beef in a separate pan and then stir in your taco seasoning, simmering it briefly to let all those delicious flavors meld together.
Crispy corn tortillas frying in oil and seasoned taco meat cooking in a skillet, key steps in making a homemade Mexican pizza
Now for the fun part: assembling your Mexican pizzas! Spread a layer of enchilada sauce onto 8 tortillas. Then, generously top with refried beans and the seasoned ground beef mixture. Place the remaining tortillas on top, creating the “pizza” base. Finally, add another layer of enchilada sauce and a generous blanket of shredded cheese.
Mexican pizzas layered with ingredients and ready for baking, alongside baked pizzas fresh from the oven showing melted cheese
Bake your assembled Mexican pizzas until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly. Once out of the oven, add your favorite toppings. Just like Taco Bell, chopped tomatoes are a classic topping, but I also love adding black olives and fresh green onions for extra flavor and texture.
Don’t forget a dash of hot sauce for those who like a little extra heat! A dollop of sour cream can also be a great cooling contrast to the spiciness.
And that’s it! Your homemade Mexican pizzas are ready to devour. They are incredibly satisfying, just like the Taco Bell version, but even better! Cheesy, packed with flavorful taco meat and refried beans – these are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser any day of the week.
A single, perfectly plated Mexican pizza showcasing delicious layers and toppings
Tips and Variations for Your Mexican Pizza Recipe
- Air Fryer Tortillas: If you’re looking to reduce oil, you can air fry the tortillas instead of frying them in a pan. Lightly spray them with oil and air fry at [temperature and time – research needed] for 6-8 minutes, or until crispy.
- Customize to Your Taste: This recipe is very flexible! Adjust the ingredient amounts to your liking. Want more taco meat? Go for it! Extra cheese? Absolutely! Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own.
Storing Leftover Mexican Pizza
Leftover Mexican pizzas can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. While they are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, you can gently reheat them in the oven to restore some of their crispiness.
For optimal leftovers, it’s recommended to store the individual components separately. This way, you can assemble fresh Mexican pizzas later in the week for the best texture and flavor.
Freezing is not recommended as it can affect the texture of the tortillas and toppings.
That’s all there is to it! I truly hope you enjoy making and eating this Mexican pizza recipe. Please let me know in the comments if you try it – I’d love to hear how yours turn out! Happy cooking!
If You Love Spicy Food…
You might also enjoy my cookbook, filled with 75 easy recipes that are bursting with bold flavors!
Cover of "The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook"
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A hand holding a slice of Mexican pizza, showcasing the cheesy, layered texture
Have questions? Don’t hesitate to ask! I’m always happy to help. If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment and give it a STAR rating below. And don’t forget to share it on social media – tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness so we can see your creations! Thanks so much! — Mike H.
Print Recipe
Mexican Pizza Recipe
This homemade Mexican pizza features layers of seasoned taco meat, refried beans, enchilada sauce, and plenty of cheese, topped with your favorite ingredients. It’s simply delicious!
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Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: cheddar cheese, pizza
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 502kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 8 pizzas
Rating: 5 from 17 votes
Ingredients
FOR THE TORTILLAS
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 16 corn tortillas (6-inch)
FOR THE MEXICAN PIZZAS
- 2 cups refried beans, warmed (16 ounce can)
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 cups enchilada sauce (or use taco sauce)
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- Toppings: Diced tomato, sliced black olives, green onion, hot sauce
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- To make the crispy tortillas, heat the vegetable oil in a pan to medium heat. Add the tortillas, 1-2 at a time, and lightly fry each side for 2-3 minutes, or until the corn tortillas turn golden brown and begin to crisp up.
- Set onto paper towels to drain excess oil. Season lightly with salt.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
- Next, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan to medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 6-7 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Stir in the taco seasoning along with 1/4 cup of water. Simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors develop.
- Assemble your Mexican pizzas by setting 8 tortilla shells on a baking sheet.
- Top each with enchilada sauce, refried beans, and taco meat.
- Layer them with the remaining crispy tortillas, then add more enchilada sauce and shredded cheese.
- Bake the pizzas for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Top with your favorite toppings and serve.
Recipe Notes
Instead of frying the tortillas, you can lightly coat them with oil and air fry them for 6-8 minutes, or until crispy.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 502kcal
Carbohydrates: 36g
Protein: 23g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
Monounsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 69mg
Sodium: 1137mg
Potassium: 272mg
Fiber: 7g
Sugar: 6g
Vitamin A: 764IU
Vitamin C: 1mg
Calcium: 273mg
Iron: 3mg
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?
I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.
