Remember the uproar when Taco Bell removed the Mexican Pizza from their menu? For many, it was more than just an item; it was a nostalgic favorite, a unique blend of Tex-Mex flavors in a fun, pizza-like format. If you’ve been missing that cheesy, saucy, crispy goodness, you’re in luck! You don’t have to rely on fast-food chains to satisfy your cravings. This easy copycat recipe lets you recreate the iconic Taco Bell Mexican Pizza right in your kitchen, and arguably, make it even better. Get ready to enjoy a homemade version that’s quicker, tastier, and customizable to your liking.
What is Taco Bell Mexican Pizza?
Despite its name, the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza isn’t exactly pizza, nor is it traditionally Mexican. Instead, it’s a brilliant Tex-Mex creation that cleverly layers familiar flavors and textures. Think of it as a delicious hybrid between a quesadilla and a pizza. The foundation consists of crispy fried tortillas, acting as the “crust”. These are layered with savory refried beans and seasoned ground beef, the heart of taco night. Melted cheese binds these layers together, creating a satisfyingly rich base. Topped with another crispy tortilla, a generous spread of enchilada sauce (or taco sauce for a spicier kick), and even more melted cheese, the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza offers a comforting and flavorful experience unlike any other. It’s often finished with classic taco toppings like diced tomatoes, onions, and a dollop of sour cream, completing this delightful Tex-Mex fusion.
Why the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza is So Beloved (and Missed!)
The appeal of the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza lies in its comforting familiarity and playful innovation. It takes the beloved flavors of tacos and presents them in a novel, pizza-like form, making it both exciting and approachable. For many, it evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminding them of childhood fast-food treats and simpler times. The combination of crispy tortillas, savory seasoned beef, creamy refried beans, and melty cheese creates a symphony of textures and tastes that is undeniably satisfying.
When Taco Bell removed the Mexican Pizza from its menu in 2020, and then again briefly in 2022 after a short-lived return, it sparked widespread disappointment and even online petitions. This strong reaction underscores the deep connection people had with this menu item. Its absence left a void for those craving that unique Tex-Mex comfort food. This copycat recipe aims to fill that void, allowing you to enjoy this cherished dish whenever you desire, freshly made and tailored to your preferences.
Ingredients for a Perfect Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Copycat
Creating a truly satisfying Taco Bell Mexican Pizza copycat starts with quality ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need for each component:
The Filling: Flavor-Packed Goodness
- Refried Beans: Canned refried beans are a convenient and authentic choice. Opt for vegetarian refried beans for a smoother texture, or traditional refried beans for a more robust, flavorful base. For a richer flavor, consider making homemade refried beans from scratch, though canned works perfectly well for a quick meal.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) is recommended to minimize grease, ensuring your Mexican Pizza isn’t soggy. However, if you prefer a richer flavor, you can use ground beef with a higher fat content and simply drain off any excess grease after cooking.
- Taco Seasoning: You can use store-bought taco seasoning packets for convenience, or create your own homemade blend for greater control over the flavor and sodium content. A typical taco seasoning includes chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Enchilada Sauce: Red enchilada sauce is the traditional choice for Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, providing a mild, savory, and slightly tangy flavor. You can use store-bought enchilada sauce or make your own for a more authentic taste. For a spicier version, consider using taco sauce or a spicier enchilada sauce.
- Cheese: A blend of cheeses works best for achieving that melty, cheesy pull. Cheddar cheese provides a classic cheesy flavor, while Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese adds excellent meltability. Pre-shredded Mexican cheese blends are also a convenient option. Shredding your own cheese from a block generally results in better melting and flavor, as pre-shredded cheese often contains cellulose to prevent clumping, which can hinder melting.
The Crust: Tortilla Talk
- Flour Tortillas: Flour tortillas are the more traditional choice for Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, offering a slightly softer and more pliable “crust” when fried or baked. Medium-sized flour tortillas (taco size) are ideal; avoid burrito-sized tortillas as they will be too large and difficult to handle.
- Corn Tortillas: For a gluten-free option or a more authentic Mexican flavor, corn tortillas can be used. However, corn tortillas can be more prone to cracking or becoming dry when cooked. Look for good quality corn tortillas and consider briefly warming them before assembling the pizza to make them more pliable and less likely to break.
The Toppings: Customize Your Pizza!
The beauty of homemade Mexican Pizza is the ability to customize your toppings to your heart’s content! Classic Taco Bell Mexican Pizza toppings include:
- Diced Tomatoes
- Diced Red Onion
- Sour Cream
- Black Olives
- Green Onions
But don’t stop there! Feel free to experiment with other taco favorites such as:
- Salsa or Pico de Gallo
- Guacamole or Avocado slices
- Jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
- Cilantro
- Corn kernels
- Pickled Onions
Close-up of a Taco Bell Mexican Pizza copycat on a wooden board, showcasing the layers of tortillas, beans, beef, cheese, and toppings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Taco Bell Mexican Pizza at Home
Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Taco Bell Mexican Pizza copycat:
Preparing the Taco Meat: The Flavor Base
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat, add the ground beef. Use a spatula or spoon to break it apart into small crumbles as it cooks. Sauté for about 5-8 minutes, or until the beef is fully browned and cooked through.
- Drain Excess Grease: Carefully drain off any excess grease from the pan. This step is crucial to prevent your Mexican Pizza from becoming greasy and soggy.
- Add Seasoning and Sauce: Stir in the taco seasoning, water, and enchilada sauce to the cooked ground beef. Mix well to ensure the beef is evenly coated with the seasonings and sauce.
- Simmer: Let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly. This creates a flavorful and slightly saucy taco meat filling.
Step-by-step image showing ground beef being browned in a skillet as the first step in making Taco Bell Mexican Pizza.
Assembling Your Mexican Pizzas: Layer by Layer
- First Tortilla Layer: Lay out your tortillas on a clean work surface.
- Refried Bean Layer: Spread a thin, even layer of refried beans onto each tortilla. This acts as the first flavorful layer and helps to adhere the beef to the tortilla.
- Taco Meat Layer: Top the refried beans with a generous layer of the seasoned ground beef mixture.
- Cheese Layer: Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese over the ground beef. This cheese layer will melt and bind the top and bottom tortillas together.
- Second Tortilla Layer: Carefully place another tortilla on top of the cheese layer, creating a sandwich-like structure.
Cooking Methods: Air Fryer, Oven, and Pan-Frying
You can cook your Mexican Pizzas using three different methods, each offering slightly different textures and requiring varying cooking times:
Air Fryer Cooking Method:
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Air Fry: Working in batches (depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to cook one or two pizzas at a time), carefully place the assembled Mexican pizzas in the preheated air fryer basket.
- Cook Time: Air fry for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the tortillas are crispy and golden brown.
- Repeat: Repeat with the remaining pizzas.
Oven Baking Method:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easier cleanup (optional).
- Bake: Arrange the assembled Mexican pizzas on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
- Bake Time: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
Pan-Frying Method:
- Heat Skillet: In a large frying pan or skillet with a lid, heat a splash of oil over medium heat to coat the pan.
- Pan-Fry: Add one assembled Mexican pizza to the hot skillet at a time.
- Cover and Cook: Cover the skillet with the lid and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bottom tortilla is crispy and golden brown.
- Repeat: Repeat with the remaining pizzas.
Image demonstrating the topping of Mexican Pizzas with enchilada sauce and cheese before cooking.
Tips for the Ultimate Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Experience
- Tortilla Size Matters: Use medium-sized or taco-sized tortillas. Burrito-sized tortillas are too large and will make the pizza difficult to handle and eat.
- Ground Beef Consistency: Ensure the ground beef is broken into small crumbles during cooking. Large pieces can cause the pizza to fall apart when you try to pick it up. Also, avoid making the ground beef too saucy, as this can lead to a soggy pizza.
- Don’t Overfill: Avoid overfilling the pizzas with toppings, especially the refried beans and beef. Too much filling can make the pizzas difficult to cook evenly and can also lead to sogginess.
- Crispy Tortillas: For extra crispy tortillas, you can lightly brush them with oil or cooking spray before cooking, regardless of the cooking method you choose.
- Toppings Bar: Set up a toppings bar with various options and let everyone customize their own Mexican Pizzas after cooking! This is perfect for parties or family dinners.
Flavor Variations: Beyond the Classic
While the classic Taco Bell Mexican Pizza is undeniably delicious, feel free to explore these flavor variations to create your own signature Mexican Pizza:
- Chicken Mexican Pizza: Substitute shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!) for the ground beef. You can toss the chicken with taco seasoning for extra flavor.
- Steak or Carne Asada Mexican Pizza: Use leftover cooked steak or carne asada, thinly sliced or diced, instead of ground beef. Season the steak with taco seasoning or your favorite steak seasoning.
- Shrimp Mexican Pizza: For a seafood twist, use cooked shrimp instead of ground beef. Sauté the shrimp with taco seasoning and a touch of enchilada sauce for a flavorful filling.
- Vegetarian or Vegan Mexican Pizza: For a meatless option, use refried beans as the base and add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, corn, or black beans. Use vegetarian refried beans and vegan cheese to make it fully vegan. Crumbled tofu or vegetarian meat crumbles seasoned with taco seasoning can also be added for extra protein.
- Gluten-Free Mexican Pizza: Simply use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas to make this recipe gluten-free. Ensure all other ingredients, particularly taco seasoning and enchilada sauce, are also certified gluten-free if necessary.
A close-up shot of a cooked Taco Bell Mexican Pizza copycat, cut into slices, showcasing the crispy tortillas and melted cheese.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes to Explore
If you enjoyed making this Taco Bell Mexican Pizza copycat, you might also love these other easy and delicious Mexican-inspired recipes:
(Links to other relevant recipes would be placed here in a real blog post, but as per instructions, no external links are needed for this exercise)
Conclusion
Say goodbye to Mexican Pizza cravings and hello to homemade deliciousness! This Taco Bell Mexican Pizza copycat recipe is incredibly easy to make, ready in minutes, and endlessly customizable. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a fun weekend snack, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and get ready to enjoy a homemade version of this iconic Tex-Mex treat that might just be even better than the original!
