Get ready for a fiesta of flavors in under 20 minutes! This homemade Mexican Pizza brings all the best parts of a classic Taco Bell favorite into your own kitchen, with crispy tortilla layers, savory beef, gooey cheese, and plenty of fresh toppings. It’s the ultimate quick dinner or crowd-pleaser—zesty, cheesy, and so much fun to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Faster Than Takeout: You can whip up these Mexican Pizzas in less time than it takes to hit the drive-thru, and the flavor is unbeatable.
- Crispy, Cheesy Goodness: Each bite delivers a magical combo of crunchy tortillas, melty cheese, and hearty beef.
- Totally Customizable: The toppings and fillings can be mixed and matched for picky eaters, vegetarians, or spice lovers alike.
- Fun for All Ages: Whether it’s family dinner, movie night, or a party, these Mexican Pizzas are a surefire hit with kids and grownups.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about this recipe is how it transforms everyday basics into a mouthwatering masterpiece! Every ingredient in your Mexican Pizza brings both flavor and texture—the secret is letting each layer shine in every crispy, cheesy bite.
- Flour (or corn) tortillas: The crisp foundation for each pizza—flour tortillas get extra golden and crunchy, but corn adds classic flavor.
- Ground beef: Cooked with taco seasoning for a tender, savory filling. You can swap in ground turkey or plant-based “meat” if you’d like.
- Taco seasoning: The ultimate flavor booster—use a pre-made blend or your favorite homemade spice mix.
- Enchilada sauce: Just a drizzle adds a saucy, zesty punch to both the filling and the topping.
- Refried beans: Creamy and rich, they hold the layers together and add an irresistible savoriness.
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or blend): Melted cheese is key! Go for a blend if you love stretchy, gooey results.
- Garnishes (tomato, red onion, black olives, sour cream, green onion): These add freshness, color, and cool, creamy contrast to every slice.
Variations
The beauty of homemade Mexican Pizza? You can make it your own in endless ways! Here are some delicious variations to suit every craving, diet, or what’s left in your fridge tonight.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the beef and double up on beans, or fill with sautéed veggies like peppers, corn, or mushrooms.
- Spicy Kick: Stir diced jalapeños or a pinch of chipotle chili into your ground beef, sauce, or even the cheese.
- Chicken Mexican Pizza: Swap ground beef for cooked shredded chicken tossed in taco seasoning for a lighter take.
- Gluten-Free Swap: Use corn tortillas and double-check your seasonings for a gluten-free feast.
How to Make Mexican Pizza
Step 1: Cook the Beef Filling
Heat a skillet over medium and add your ground beef, breaking it up as it browns. Cook for about 5-8 minutes, then drain any excess fat so your filling stays rich, not greasy. Stir in the taco seasoning, water, and enchilada sauce, and let simmer for a minute or two until everything is fragrant and juicy.
Step 2: Assemble the Mexican Pizzas
Spread a generous layer of refried beans onto one tortilla—this acts as the tasty glue! Top with the seasoned ground beef and a sprinkle of cheese. Cap it off with a second tortilla to form your “pizza,” then add a spoonful of enchilada sauce and a blanket of shredded cheese on top. Repeat until all pizzas are stacked and ready.
Step 3: Cook Until Crispy & Melty
You’ve got three options here! For easy hands-off cooking, bake in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until the cheese bubbles and edges crisp. Love ultra-crispy? Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes (one at a time). Or, pan-fry each one with a little oil, covered, over medium heat for 4-5 minutes. However you cook it, be sure to watch so the cheese gets beautifully melted and the tortillas golden and crisp.
Step 4: Slice & Garnish
Carefully transfer your hot Mexican Pizzas to plates. Shower them with fresh diced tomatoes, red onion, sliced olives, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of green onion. Slice into wedges—just like pizza!—and serve right away for ultimate crunch.
Pro Tips for Making Mexican Pizza
- Ultra-Crispy Tortilla Hack: For maximum crunch, lightly spray tortillas with oil and pre-bake or toast before assembling your pizzas.
- Cheese Layer Trick: Place a little cheese both inside and on top—this “glues” the layers and creates that irresistible melty finish.
- Sauce Savvy: Go light on the top enchilada sauce layer so your pizza stays crisp (a little goes a long way for big flavor).
- Batch Cooking: If you’re making several at once, keep finished Mexican Pizzas warm in a low oven while you crisp up the rest.
How to Serve Mexican Pizza
Garnishes
Take your Mexican Pizza to the next level with plenty of fresh garnishes. I love scattering diced tomatoes, red onion, sliced olives, and green onions across the top for crunch and color. For a touch of creamy richness, add dollops of sour cream or even a drizzle of avocado crema. You can also finish with a sprinkle of cilantro for an herby pop!
Side Dishes
This dish is a superstar on its own, but pairing it with sides makes for a truly festive meal. Try serving with a crisp Mexican slaw, warm tortilla chips and guacamole, or a simple side of charro beans. Even a little corn salad or a bowl of fresh fruit rounds out the spread beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Have some fun slicing your Mexican Pizza into wedges and stacking them on a platter for appetizers, or serve mini-pizzas at a party for easy, grab-and-go bites. For a family dinner, try letting everyone build their own with a toppings “bar.” Layer slices on a big wooden board with bowls of garnishes for a playful, colorful presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Mexican Pizza, store slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The tortillas may soften as they rest, but the flavors will be even richer the next day!
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap assembled (but unbaked) pizzas tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, bake or air fry from frozen—just add a few extra minutes of cook time and fresh garnishes after warming.
Reheating
To revive crispiness, reheat leftover slices in a 375°F oven or toaster oven for 6-8 minutes, or pop individual pieces in the air fryer for a couple minutes. The microwave works too (about 30–60 seconds), but you’ll lose some crunch—that flavor, though, is still out-of-this-world!
FAQs
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Can I make Mexican Pizza vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just skip the ground beef and load up on seasoned refried beans or add sautéed veggies like bell peppers, corn, or mushrooms for a hearty, flavorful vegetarian twist.
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Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Yes! Corn tortillas work beautifully and add a traditional taste. They’ll yield a slightly different texture, but will still crisp up nicely—just handle with care, as they’re a bit more delicate.
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What’s the best way to get the tortillas super crispy?
For maximum crunch, lightly brush or spray tortillas with oil before toasting, baking, or air frying. Pre-baking directly on the oven rack or air frying before assembling helps them crisp up delightfully, even after you add sauces and cheese!
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Can I make Mexican Pizza ahead for a party?
Definitely! Assemble your pizzas in advance, wrap and refrigerate, then bake or air fry just before serving. Hold off on fresh garnishes until right before you eat so everything stays perky and delicious.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a fast, fun, and seriously satisfying meal, give this Mexican Pizza recipe a try. It brings a burst of color, flavor, and crunchy-cheesy joy to your table—guaranteed to become a new favorite with everyone who takes a bite!
Print
Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat) Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 Pizzas 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make a delicious Mexican Pizza at home with this easy Taco Bell copycat recipe. Crispy tortillas layered with seasoned ground beef, beans, enchilada sauce, and gooey cheese – a family favorite!
Ingredients
For the Pizza:
- 8 flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 4 tablespoons enchilada sauce
- 8 ounces refried beans (1/2 can)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Mexican blend)
Topping:
- 4 tablespoons enchilada sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Garnishes (optional):
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup black olives
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 green onions, finely diced
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in taco seasoning, water, and enchilada sauce. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Assemble Pizzas: Spread refried beans on a tortilla, top with beef, cheese, and another tortilla. Add sauce and cheese on top.
- Cooking Methods: Air fry, bake, or pan fry the pizzas until cheese melts and tortillas are crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Top pizzas with optional garnishes like tomatoes, onions, olives, sour cream, and green onions. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Pizza
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
