You won’t miss the drive-through once you try this crunchy and flavorful alternative to Taco Bell’s Mexican pizza. This Mexican pizza is great for a quick weeknight meal because it only requires 20 minutes of preparation time. Simple ingredients plus your family’s favorite toppings can turn into a quick and easy dinner that everyone will enjoy!
TACO BELL MEXICAN PIZZA – A crispy, crunchy tortilla-based Mexican-inspired pizza!
For millions of people who love fast food, nothing beats the convenience of ordering from the drive-thru window, and Taco Bell’s Mexican pizza has been a fan favorite for years. People all across the world took to social media when they heard that this menu mainstay, which has been around since 1985, will be removed. Including me!
The good news? Taco Bell is bringing it back! Taco Bell CEO Mark King told the world that their Mexican Pizza will be coming back as a permanent menu item. Yey! But can we be sure? No one knows. This is where this recipe comes in!
You can’t go wrong with this recipe, which is both easy and tasty. Even if I don’t have a lot of time, I can always throw something together from the items I keep on hand.
EXACTLY WHY YOU’LL adore this dish!
You can’t really go wrong with this recipe, and since you’re making it at home, you might as well get creative!
This dish is perfect for those times when you just don’t feel like leaving the house but really want some fast food.
Preparing a meal from scratch for dinner takes around 25 minutes, which is certainly less time than it would take to get to the drive-through and back.
TO MAKE TACO BELL MEXICAN PIZZA
This tortilla pizza is quick, simple, and full of flavor! You only need a few pantry staples and your favorite toppings to make a meal the whole family will enjoy!
Ground Beef: 1 pound of ground beef. I use ground beef which is 80/20, but you may use whatever you have on hand.
Taco Seasoning: 1 taco seasoning package. Make your own taco seasoning or use a pre-packaged taco seasoning. Use Taco Bell brand taco seasoning for an extra authentic flavor!
Water: ¾ cup of water. To cook down the taco meat, add a little water. You can use broth instead if you choose.
Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Or use olive oil or canola oil.
Flour Tortillas: There are 8 flour tortillas. To make these substantial pizzas, use the usual soft taco flour tortilla size!
Refried Beans: You’ll need one regular-sized (8-ounce) can of refried beans. Use traditional refried beans for maximum authenticity. If you prefer, you can substitute refried black beans instead.
Enchilada Sauce: A single, little can of enchilada sauce. Those who like their meals with a bit more kick might request the spicy version.
Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend: Measure out two cups of a shredded Mexican cheese blend. You c Even if you can grate your own cheese, I prefer to buy it already grated and stored in a bag. It has Asadero, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and queso quesadilla cheeses.
There are also optional toppings (green onion, white onion, black olives, iceberg lettuce, and tomatoes) that can turn this already wonderful Taco Bell Mexican pizza into so much more! They add extra depth of flavor and texture.
To make this recipe gluten-free (you should use these ingredients instead):
Use gluten-free or homemade taco seasoning.
Use corn tortillas or store-bought gluten-free tortillas like Almond Flour Tortillas. For a healthier option, you can use a low-calorie alternative such as lettuce wraps.
Refried beans are naturally gluten-free, but its’ always a great idea to check the package as some could have flavorings that may include gluten. You can swap refried beans with gluten-free options like pinto beans or black beans.
Enchilada sauce – not all brands are gluten-free so make sure to check the label carefully. For a gluten-free, keto option, use Rosarita Enchilada Sauce. You can use gluten-free taco sauce or make your own.
How To Make This Taco Bell Mexican Pizza?
Step 1: First, preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment (or two). If frozen, thaw 1 pound of ground beef.
Step 2: Break up the beef in a pan over medium-high heat until it’s no longer pink in the middle. Drain any remaining grease.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Step 3: Mix 1 package of taco seasoning and 3/4 cup water with ground meat. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil. Turn the heat down and let the sauce thicken while it simmers.
3/4 cup water:
Step 4: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat to make 8 flour tortillas. Cook one tortilla in the skillet for 3-4 minutes, rotating every 30 seconds, until crispy. Repeat with the other 7 tortillas.
Should look like this:
Make 8 flour tortillas.
Step 5: Before spreading over tortillas, microwave refried beans for 30 seconds. Spread beans on 4 crispy tortillas. Top the beans with seasoned ground meat. Each tortilla uses 25% of your beans and meat.
Step 6: Top the bean and meat tortillas with plain tortillas. Top each pizza with 2 tablespoons of sauce
And 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella.
Step 7: Place the pizzas on a large, non-stick baking sheet on the oven’s center rack. Bake the prepared dish for 8–10 minutes until the cheese melts. After baking, top the Mexican pizza with desired toppings.
Everything you need for a basic taco night is here, but trust me, you’ll never want a normal taco ever again!
This is a super fun recipe and a breeze to make. And let your little ones pick their toppings!
Frequently Asked Questions
CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD
The meat can be prepared in advance and will taste even better after resting in the refrigerator overnight to absorb the flavors of the seasonings.
After chilling, the meat can be kept for up to four days in an airtight container.
Don’t put together the pizza until right before you’re ready to eat it. The tortillas will get soggy if you make them ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
HOW TO FREEZE
Ground beef with seasonings can be readily frozen for later use. Tender, well-seasoned cuts of beef can be stored for up to three months in the freezer if they are sealed well.
Meat should be refrigerated overnight to defrost. Do not assemble the pizza until you are ready to eat it. Once it’s put together, it shouldn’t be frozen.
HOW TO REHEAT
You can put your already-assembled pizza in the oven to reheat it. Reheating leftover Mexican pizza at 350°F (175°C) takes 5-10 minutes, depending on how crispy and crunchy you like it.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Taco Bell Mexican pizza
Ingredients
Pizza:
- 8 flour tortillas taco sized
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil more, as needed
- ¾ c. water
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 2 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 15 ounces refried beans 1 15-oz. can
- 10 ounces enchilada sauce or taco sauce, 1 10-oz. can
Toppings:
- green onion optional, sliced
- white onion optional, diced
- black olives optional, sliced
- iceberg lettuce optional, shredded
- tomatoes diced
Instructions
- Set the oven to 400°F (205°C) and put parchment paper on one or two baking sheets.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. When there is no pinker, pour off any extra grease.
- Mix the water and the packet of taco seasoning into the ground beef. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and let it simmer until it thickens.
- Warm the vegetable oil in a large, clean pan over medium heat. Put one tortilla in the pan and fry it for 3–4 minutes, turning it over often, until it is crispy. Do this again with the rest of the tortillas. Set aside.
- In the meantime, put the refried beans in a bowl and heat them for about 30 seconds to make them easier to spread. On 4 of the tortillas, spread a thick layer of refried beans, then add ground beef. (One tortilla will use a quarter of the beans and ground beef.)
- Put one of the remaining tortillas on top of each bean and ground meat tortilla. On the top tortilla of each pizza, spread about 2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce (or taco sauce). Half a cup of shredded cheese should be placed on top of each pizza.
- The pizzas should be baked on a big, nonstick baking sheet in the center of the oven. Put it in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Take them out of the oven and add whatever toppings you like.
Notes
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I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
