If you love Mexican food dishes and crave the nostalgic flavors of Taco Bell’s famous Mexican Pizza, this easy homemade recipe is here to satisfy your cravings. Combining the best of tacos and pizza, this delicious fusion dish is ready in just 15 minutes and can be customized to your liking. Let’s dive into this irresistible recipe and create the perfect Mexican Pizza at home.
What is Mexican Pizza?
Mexican Pizza is a mouthwatering combination of a quesadilla and a traditional pizza. It starts with a tortilla base layered with refried beans, seasoned ground beef, and cheese. Topped with a second tortilla, smothered in enchilada sauce, and sprinkled with even more cheese, this dish delivers crispy, cheesy, and flavor-packed goodness.
Customize it with your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, olives, sour cream, or green onions for a personal touch.
Ingredients for Mexican Pizza
Filling:
- Refried Beans: Adds creamy texture and a boost of nutrients. Use canned or homemade.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef works best, but any variety can be used.
- Taco Seasoning: Store-bought or homemade for authentic flavor.
- Water: Ensures a saucy consistency for the taco meat.
- Enchilada Sauce: Enhances the flavor. Freeze leftovers for future use.
- Cheese: Use cheddar, mozzarella, or a Mexican blend.
Crust:
- Tortillas: Flour tortillas are ideal, but corn tortillas can be substituted for a gluten-free option.
- Enchilada Sauce: Doubles as the “pizza sauce.”
- Cheese: Melts into gooey perfection on top.
Optional Toppings:
- Diced tomatoes
- Red onions
- Black olives
- Sour cream
- Green onions
- Salsa, guacamole, or pickled onions
How to Make Mexican Pizza
1. Prepare the Filling
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Drain any excess grease, then stir in taco seasoning, water, and enchilada sauce. Simmer for 1-2 minutes.
2. Assemble the Pizzas
- Spread a layer of refried beans on one tortilla.
- Top with seasoned ground beef and a layer of shredded cheese.
- Place another tortilla on top and spread a tablespoon of enchilada sauce over it.
- Sprinkle cheese evenly across the top. Repeat for all tortillas.
3. Cooking Methods
Air Fryer
- Preheat to 400°F. Cook each pizza for 5 minutes until the cheese melts and the tortilla crisps.
Oven
- Preheat to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake pizzas for 8-10 minutes.
Pan Frying
- Heat a frying pan with a lid over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil and cook one pizza at a time, covered, for 4-5 minutes.
4. Garnish and Serve
- Transfer pizzas to a serving plate and top with your favorite garnishes like tomatoes, sour cream, and green onions. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Mexican Pizza
- Tortilla Size: Use medium-sized tortillas for easy handling.
- Even Beef Crumbles: Break ground beef into small pieces for better texture.
- Avoid Sogginess: Don’t overdo the sauce to keep the tortillas crisp.
- Creative Toppings: Try guacamole, corn salsa, or pickled onions for extra flair.
Flavor Variations
Chicken Mexican Pizza
- Use shredded chicken seasoned with taco spices.
Steak or Carne Asada
- Thinly slice steak or carne asada as a hearty filling.
Shrimp Mexican Pizza
- Season shrimp with taco seasoning for a seafood twist.
Vegetarian or Vegan Mexican Pizza
- Replace meat with extra beans, vegan cheese, and vegetables like mushrooms or chickpeas.
Gluten-Free Mexican Pizza
- Swap flour tortillas for corn tortillas.
Conclusion
Recreating iconic Mexican food dishes at home is easy and fun, especially with this homemade Mexican Pizza recipe. With a few pantry staples and a little creativity, you can enjoy the flavors of Taco Bell’s classic dish or put your spin on it with exciting variations. Whether you bake, air-fry, or pan-fry, this recipe is a guaranteed hit. So gather your ingredients and treat yourself to a homemade Mexican Pizza that’s as satisfying as it is delicious!