How to make Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Recipe
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!
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:
You need just the right amount of vegetable oil to fry all of the tortillas in a pan. You might need to add more as you go along.
If you don’t want meat, you can make Mexican pizzas without beef. In this recipe, you can use any meat substitute you like and season it the same way you would season the meat.
Use whatever toppings you like. I like to add a big scoop of sour cream, for example. On the actual menu, you can add black beans, chicken, jalapenos, onions, steak, seasoned rice, red tortilla strips, lettuce, and more cheese.
If you ordered this at Taco Bell, it would come with refried beans and ground beef between two crispy tortillas and enchilada sauce, cheese, and diced tomatoes on top.
How To Make it Gluten free
Use gluten-free or homemade taco seasoning.
Store-bought gluten-free tortillas or corn tortillas are your best options. Or you can opt to use a low-calorie alternative like a lettuce wrap.
Refried beans are gluten-free, but you can swap them with pinto beans or black beans for another gluten-free option.
Use gluten-free enchilada sauce or swap it with gluten-free taco sauce or make your own.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 Pizza
Calories: 870 | Sugar: 9.1 g | Sodium: 2515.5 mg | Fat: 34.7 g | Carbohydrates: 82.6 g | Protein: 57 g | Cholesterol: 107.8 mg
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use chicken instead of ground beef for this Mexican pizza recipe?
Yes, you can definitely use chicken instead of ground beef for a variation of this recipe. Simply substitute the ground beef with cooked and shredded chicken, and follow the rest of the instructions accordingly.
Are the flour tortillas used in this recipe gluten-free?
The flour tortillas used in this recipe are typically not gluten-free, as they are made with wheat flour.
If you require a gluten-free option, you can look for gluten-free tortillas at the store or make your own using gluten-free flours.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan-friendly?
Yes, you can make this recipe vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and using plant-based alternatives like plant-based ground “meat” or tofu crumbles.
For a vegan version, ensure that the enchilada sauce and cheese blend used are free from animal products.
How do I store the leftover Mexican pizzas?
To store any leftover Mexican pizzas, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They should be consumed within 2-3 days.
To reheat, use an oven or microwave until warmed through.
Can I add other toppings to customize the Mexican pizzas?
Absolutely! Feel free to add your favorite toppings to customize the Mexican pizzas.
Some popular options include sliced jalapeños, avocado slices, sour cream, guacamole, or hot sauce.
Are there any alternative options for the tortillas?
If you prefer a different type of tortilla or need a gluten-free option, you can use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.
Make sure to adjust the cooking time and method accordingly as corn tortillas may require less frying time.
Can I make the Mexican pizza ahead of time and reheat it later?
While the Mexican pizzas are best served fresh, you can partially prepare them ahead of time by assembling the layers and refrigerating them.
Before serving, bake the refrigerated pizzas in the oven to reheat and melt the cheese.
Can I freeze the Mexican pizzas for later consumption?
It’s not recommended to freeze the fully assembled Mexican pizzas, as freezing can affect the texture and quality.
However, you can freeze individual components like the cooked ground beef, refried beans, or tortillas for quicker assembly when needed.