Craving a fun and flavorful meal that’s easy to make and sure to please everyone? Look no further than this simple recipe for Mexican Pizza! Inspired by the popular Taco Bell menu item, this homemade version uses readily available ingredients to create a delicious and satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners or a Taco Tuesday twist. Forget takeout and whip up these tasty Mexican Pizzas in your own kitchen!
What is Mexican Pizza?
For those unfamiliar, a Mexican Pizza isn’t your typical pizza pie. Instead of a traditional crust, it features crispy fried flour tortillas layered with flavorful refried beans, seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty taco sauce. Topped with fresh diced tomatoes and green onions, it’s a delightful combination of textures and tastes that’s both comforting and exciting. This recipe captures all the deliciousness of the fast-food favorite but with a homemade touch that elevates the experience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these easy Mexican Pizzas, gather the following ingredients:
- 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 (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 TBSP minced garlic
- Small Fajita size flour tortillas (about 16)
- 1 can refried beans
- Taco Sauce (your favorite brand, medium or mild)
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese (Cheddar or Mexican blend also work well)
- Diced tomatoes, for topping
- Chopped green onions, for topping
- Vegetable oil, for frying tortillas
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Mexican Pizza
Let’s break down how to create these delicious Mexican Pizzas at home. The process is straightforward and fun!
1. Prepare the Beef and Tortillas
Start by cooking the ground beef. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat along with the chopped onion. Once the beef is fully cooked, drain off any excess grease. Season the beef mixture with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, dried cilantro, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir in the minced garlic and combine everything well. This flavorful ground beef is the heart of your Mexican Pizza.
Skillet of seasoned ground beef and onions for Mexican Pizza
While the beef is cooking, prepare the tortillas. In a separate skillet, pour enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom. Heat the oil over medium heat. Lightly fry the flour tortillas, one at a time, for about 1-2 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and slightly crispy. Don’t overcook them, you want them to be sturdy enough to hold the toppings but still have a pleasant crispiness.
Frying flour tortillas for homemade Mexican Pizza
Once fried, place the tortillas on paper towels to drain any extra oil. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect crispy Mexican Pizza base.
2. Assemble Your Mexican Pizzas
Now it’s time to assemble the Mexican Pizzas. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Warm up the refried beans slightly in a microwave or saucepan to make them easier to spread.
Spread a layer of refried beans evenly over a fried tortilla. This bean layer adds a creamy texture and delicious flavor to the Mexican Pizza.
Next, spoon a generous scoop of the seasoned ground beef on top of the refried beans. Sprinkle a bit of shredded Colby Jack cheese over the beef.
Carefully place another fried tortilla on top of the cheese, creating a layered “pizza”.
Spoon your favorite taco sauce over the top tortilla layer. Finally, sprinkle the remaining shredded Colby Jack cheese generously over the taco sauce.
Assembled Mexican Pizzas ready for the oven
3. Bake and Serve
Transfer the assembled Mexican Pizzas to a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and perfectly gooey.
Once baked, carefully remove the Mexican Pizzas from the oven. Top them with fresh diced tomatoes and chopped green onions for a burst of freshness and color.
Serving Suggestions and Tips
Slice each Mexican Pizza into quarters for easier serving and eating. These are delicious on their own, but if you want to create a complete Mexican-inspired feast, consider serving them with a side of Spanish rice or a fresh salad.
Tips for the Best Mexican Pizza:
- Tortilla Size: Fajita-size tortillas are ideal for individual Mexican Pizzas, but you can use larger tortillas to make bigger portions if desired.
- Cheese Choice: Colby Jack cheese melts beautifully and has a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients, but feel free to use cheddar, a Mexican cheese blend, or even Monterey Jack.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the heat level. If you prefer a milder flavor, omit the cayenne pepper altogether.
- Taco Seasoning: While the recipe includes a homemade taco seasoning blend, you can substitute a packet of your favorite taco seasoning mix for convenience.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the ground beef and fry the tortillas ahead of time. Store them separately and assemble and bake the Mexican Pizzas when you’re ready to eat.
Delicious and easy homemade Mexican Pizzas topped with tomatoes and green onions
Enjoy these easy and delicious Mexican Pizzas for a fun and satisfying meal that the whole family will love! They are a fantastic alternative to traditional pizza or tacos and are perfect for any occasion.
