The Mexican Pizza is the glorious collision of two favorites: all the vibrant flavors of a hearty taco, layered up in crispy, cheesy pizza form! Imagine tender taco-seasoned beef, creamy refried beans, tangy enchilada sauce, and melty Colby Jack cheese—all stacked between crackly tortillas for a hand-held feast that’s as fun to make as it is to devour.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun Fusion: Mexican Pizza brings together classic Mexican flavors in a cheesy, crunchy pizza format that always steals the show.
- Quick & Easy: With just 30 minutes from start to finish, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or an impromptu get-together.
- Family Friendly: It’s a hands-on meal everyone gets excited about—kids and adults love assembling and eating their own pizza stacks.
- Totally Customizable: Effortlessly swap proteins, cheese, or toppings to suit any dietary need or craving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to experience that irresistible Mexican Pizza flavor—each one adds its own special touch, from creamy beans to gooey cheese and that all-important crispy tortilla base. Don’t be surprised when you see how each layer brings color, comfort, and crave-worthiness to every bite!
- Ground beef: Offers hearty texture and deep flavor; swap for turkey or a plant-based ground if you like.
- Taco seasoning: The essential spice blend that gives the beef its classic “taco night” punch.
- Water: Helps evenly distribute the seasoning and keeps the beef juicy.
- Refried beans: Gives the base a silky layer of richness and helps “glue” your pizza together.
- Enchilada sauce: Adds tangy, savory depth and a little heat—store-bought or homemade both work!
- Diced tomatoes: Juicy bursts of freshness to balance the richness of the other layers.
- Shredded Colby Jack cheese: Melts like a dream and brings a sunny, golden look to the top. Monterey Jack or cheddar also make great choices.
- Flour tortillas (taco size): These get crisp and hold all those bold flavors together like a crunchy crust.
- Vegetable oil: For crisping up your tortillas and encouraging those irresistible golden edges.
Variations
One of the reasons I adore Mexican Pizza is it’s basically a blank canvas for your cravings. Adapt it for what’s in your fridge, your favorite flavors, or for dietary needs—the possibilities are almost endless!
- Vegetarian Twist: Swap the beef for sautéed mushrooms, black beans, or your favorite plant-based crumbles—the flavor stays hearty and delicious.
- Chicken Power: Use shredded rotisserie chicken tossed with taco seasoning instead of beef for a lighter spin.
- Spicy Supreme: Add thin-sliced jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, or spicy chipotle sauce to turn up the heat.
- Gluten-Free: Just use your favorite gluten-free tortillas; corn tortillas give a lovely crunch and extra flavor!
How to Make Mexican Pizza
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Grab a large skillet and crumble the ground beef in as it cooks over medium-high heat. Breaking up the meat as it browns makes sure every bite is full of that savory, taco-spiced flavor. You’ll know it’s ready when there’s no pink left—now add your taco seasoning and water, letting it simmer down so all the goodness soaks in.
Step 2: Crisp the Tortillas
Heat a drizzle of oil in a clean skillet or on a griddle. Add tortillas one at a time, flipping frequently until both sides are golden and crispy—about 4-5 minutes per batch. This step is what gives your Mexican Pizza its signature “crunch,” so don’t rush it! Set the crispy tortillas aside while you repeat with the rest.
Step 3: Assemble the Layers
Take one crispy tortilla and spread about 1/4 cup refried beans evenly as your base, then pile on a scoop of that taco-spiced beef. This combo is comforting, hearty, and keeps every layer extra satisfying.
Step 4: Add the Second Tortilla and Toppings
Top each beef-and-bean tortilla with another crisp tortilla. Now comes the saucy magic—spread a couple tablespoons of enchilada sauce evenly on top, scatter on the diced tomatoes, and shower with plenty of shredded Colby Jack cheese.
Step 5: Bake to Melty, Golden Goodness
Line up your assembled Mexican Pizzas on a baking sheet and slide them into a hot 400º F oven. In just 8-10 minutes, the cheese will be melted, gooey, and bubbling, with everything perfectly warmed through—get ready for that irresistible aroma!
Step 6: Slice & Serve
Remove from the oven, let them cool just enough so you don’t burn your fingers, then slice each pizza into wedges. Sprinkle with your favorite toppings, and serve while hot and crisp for the full Mexican Pizza experience!
Pro Tips for Making Mexican Pizza
- Ultra-Crispy Tortillas: Make sure your pan is hot and tortillas well-coated with oil—this is the secret to a sturdy, crunchy “crust” that stands up to all the layers.
- Even Cheese Melt: Shred your own cheese if you can—it melts better and browns more beautifully than pre-shredded alternatives.
- No-Soggy Bottoms: Cool the tortillas on a rack after crisping to prevent any steam from making them limp, and layer the beans first so the sauce doesn’t sink through.
- Batch Baking: If making several Mexican Pizzas at once, assemble them all, then bake together on parchment for easy clean-up and even browning.
How to Serve Mexican Pizza
Garnishes
The magic is in the finishing touches! Top your Mexican Pizza with dollops of sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, diced avocado, or a sprinkle of jalapeño rings for color and a fresh, zesty kick. Each garnish adds personality and a pop of flavor—let everyone customize their own for extra fun!
Side Dishes
This bold and cheesy main pairs fantastically with Mexican rice, a fresh corn and black bean salad, street corn (elote), or even just crispy tortilla chips and a big bowl of salsa or guacamole. It’s a full fiesta on your table!
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the Mexican Pizza into wedges or squares for appetizer platters, stack mini tortillas for bite-sized party snacks, or let guests assemble their own for a make-your-own “pizza bar.” Even a drizzle of crema or a ring of colorful toppings makes this dish extra festive for any occasion!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Mexican Pizza tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The layers may soften slightly, but the flavor continues to develop and stays so satisfying.
Freezing
You can freeze assembled, unbaked Mexican Pizzas for up to 2 months. Place parchment between layers and freeze in an airtight container; when you’re ready, simply bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to cook time.
Reheating
For best texture, reheat Mexican Pizza in a 375º F oven until warmed through and the edges are crisp again—skipping the microwave helps revive that craveable crunch!
FAQs
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Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
Absolutely! Corn tortillas will give your Mexican Pizza even more flavor and a gluten-free option. Just note they’re a bit smaller and may crisp even faster, so keep an eye while you cook them.
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What toppings go best on Mexican Pizza?
Sour cream, freshly chopped lettuce, tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, black olives, avocados, and cilantro all make fantastic toppings. Feel free to get creative and let family or guests personalize their slices!
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Can I make this recipe ahead for a party?
Yes! You can crisp and cool the tortillas, prep the meat and beans, and even assemble the pizzas up to the sauce-and-cheese step. Cover tightly and refrigerate, then finish baking just before serving for fresh, melty results.
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Is there a way to make Mexican Pizza less spicy?
For a milder version, use mild taco seasoning and enchilada sauce, and skip jalapeño toppings. You can always let guests add their own hot sauce or spicy garnishes at the table!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something a little adventurous and a whole lot of fun, this Mexican Pizza is calling your name! I hope you gather your favorite toppings, invite your family into the kitchen, and give this bold, flavorful mashup a spot on your dinner rotation—it’s one of those meals that simply brings joy to the table.
PrintMexican Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Mexican Pizza recipe combines the flavors of tacos and pizza in a delicious and easy-to-make meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Taco Meat:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 3/4 cup water
Assembly:
- 15 oz refried beans
- 10 oz enchilada sauce
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 8 flour tortillas taco size
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400º F. In a large skillet, brown ground beef, breaking it into small pieces. Add taco seasoning and water. Simmer until most liquid is absorbed.
- Cook Tortillas: Heat oil in a skillet or griddle. Cook tortillas until crisp.
- Assemble: Spread beans on tortillas, top with taco meat, another tortilla, enchilada sauce, tomatoes, and cheese.
- Bake: Place pizzas on a baking sheet and bake until cheese melts.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg