Ah, the nostalgia of a late-night Taco Bell run—there’s nothing quite like it, right? (Or maybe that’s just the craving talking!
) If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably dreamed of recreating those cheesy, saucy delights at home. Well, dream no more!
This recipe for a copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza brings all that fast-food magic into your kitchen—without ever needing to leave the comfort of your pajamas.
Steps
- Prepare the Taco Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, breaking it into small pieces, for 5-8 minutes until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
- Season the Meat: Add taco seasoning, water, and enchilada sauce to the skillet, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Assemble the First Layer: Spread refried beans on one tortilla, layer with cooked ground beef, and sprinkle with cheese. Top with another tortilla.
- Assemble the Second Layer: Spread a tablespoon of enchilada sauce on the top tortilla and cover with shredded cheese.
- Cook the Mexican Pizza (Air Fryer Method): Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook each pizza for about 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and tortillas are crispy.
- Cook the Mexican Pizza (Oven Method): Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet. Bake pizzas for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and tortillas are crispy.
- Cook the Mexican Pizza (Pan Frying Method): Heat a pan with a little oil over medium heat. Cook each pizza covered for 4-5 minutes until cheese melts and bottom tortilla is crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Place the cooked pizzas on a serving plate. Garnish with diced tomatoes, red onions, olives, sour cream, and green onions. Serve immediately.
Ingredients
- 8 flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water
- 4 tablespoons enchilada sauce
- 8 ounces refried beans (about ½ of a can)
- ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a Mexican cheese blend)
- 4 tablespoons enchilada sauce
- ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a Mexican cheese blend)
- 1 tomato (roma or beefsteak, seeds removed and diced)
- 1 small red onion (diced)
- ¼ cup black olives
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 green onions (finely diced)
Nutritional Values
Calories: 2272kcal | Carbohydrates: 132g | Protein: 128g | Fat: 132g | Saturated Fat: 56g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 52g | Trans Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 412mg | Sodium: 5124mg | Potassium: 1544mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 2204IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 1000mg | Iron: 20mg
FAQ
- What is Mexican Pizza?
- Mexican Pizza is a delightful fusion of quesadillas and pizzas. It features a tortilla base topped with refried beans, ground beef seasoned with taco spices, and shredded cheese. Another tortilla layer is added, topped with enchilada or taco sauce and more cheese, then cooked until crispy.
- Can I make Mexican Pizza vegetarian or vegan?
- Absolutely! For a vegetarian or vegan version, replace the ground beef with refried beans, vegan cheese, and a variety of vegetables such as crumbled tofu, mushrooms, chickpeas, and corn. Season with taco spices, water, and enchilada sauce for added flavor.
- What type of tortillas should I use for Mexican Pizza?
- While both flour and corn tortillas can be used, flour tortillas are recommended as they tend to hold up better and don’t crumble as much as corn tortillas. Choose medium or taco-sized tortillas for ease of handling.
- What are some topping suggestions for Mexican Pizza?
- Classic toppings include diced tomatoes, red onions, sour cream, black olives, and green onions. Feel free to get creative with additional options like salsa, corn, guacamole, pico de gallo, or pickled onions.
- How can I adapt the Mexican Pizza recipe for different dietary needs?
- For a gluten-free option, use corn tortillas instead of flour. If you’re looking for a lighter protein, consider swapping ground beef for chicken, steak, or shrimp seasoned with taco spices.
Tips
- Choose the Right Tortillas: Opt for medium-sized or taco-sized tortillas instead of burrito-sized ones. Larger tortillas can be difficult to manage and may result in the pizza being too cumbersome to eat.
- Cook Ground Beef Thoroughly: Break the ground beef into small crumbles while cooking. Smaller pieces ensure that the pizza remains intact and easy to handle, preventing it from falling apart when picked up.
- Freeze Leftover Sauces: If you have extra enchilada or taco sauce, freeze it in an ice cube tray for convenient future use. This way, you can easily grab a few cubes whenever you’re ready to make more Mexican pizzas without any wastage.
- Experiment with Toppings: Feel free to get creative with your pizza toppings. Besides the traditional options like tomatoes and olives, consider adding guacamole, pico de gallo, or even pickled onions to customize your pizza to your taste.
Equipment
- Air Fryer – for the air fryer cooking method.
- Frying Pan or Skillet with a lid – for the stove-top cooking method.
- Baking Sheet – for the oven baking method, if not already available.
- Parchment Paper or Tin Foil – for easier clean-up during the oven baking method.
