Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas Recipe
Introduction
Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas bring a fun twist to classic Mexican flavors with layers of seasoned beef, refried beans, and melted cheese between crispy tortillas. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering and comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ¾ cup water
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 8 flour tortillas, taco size
- 15 ounce can refried beans
- 10 ounce can enchilada sauce
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Diced tomatoes, for garnish
- Sliced green onion, for garnish
- Sliced olives, for garnish
- Sour cream, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Once cooked through, stir in the taco seasoning and water. Simmer until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat the refried beans and enchilada sauce separately in small saucepans over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: In a clean skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Lightly fry the tortillas one at a time until they turn golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Step 4: Spread refried beans evenly on half of the fried tortillas. Top each with a portion of the seasoned beef.
- Step 5: Place one of the remaining tortillas on top of each layered tortilla to form a sandwich. Spread enchilada sauce over the top tortilla.
- Step 6: Sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese blend over the enchilada sauce layer. Transfer the assembled pizzas to a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes.
- Step 7: Remove from oven and garnish with diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, sliced olives, and a dollop of sour cream.
- Step 8: Slice each Mexican pizza into wedges and serve warm, ideally alongside coleslaw or a refreshing iced tea lemonade.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a dash of cumin or smoked paprika to the beef while cooking.
- Substitute ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free version, but be careful when frying as they can burn more quickly.
- Add jalapeños or hot sauce on top for a spicy kick.
- Try different cheese blends such as Monterey Jack or cheddar for varied taste.
Storage
Store any leftover Mexican pizzas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in an oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and the cheese is melted again. Avoid microwaving to preserve the crispiness of the tortillas.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these Mexican pizzas ahead of time?
You can assemble the pizzas and refrigerate them before baking. Bake just before serving to keep the tortillas crispy and the cheese perfectly melted.
Can I freeze the Mexican pizzas?
While possible, freezing may affect the texture of the tortillas. If freezing, wrap each pizza tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven from frozen, but expect a softer crust.
PrintTaco Bell Mexican Pizzas Recipe
These Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas are a delicious and easy-to-make dish featuring crispy fried tortillas layered with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, enchilada sauce, and melted Mexican cheese blend, topped with fresh diced tomatoes, green onions, olives, and a dollop of sour cream. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal with a flavorful Mexican twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ¾ cup water
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 8 flour tortillas (taco size)
- 15 ounce can refried beans
- 10 ounce can enchilada sauce
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
Garnishes
- Diced tomatoes (to taste)
- Sliced green onion (to taste)
- Sliced olives (to taste)
- Sour cream (for serving)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess grease if necessary. Stir in the taco seasoning packet and ¾ cup of water, then reduce heat to low. Simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until thickened and well combined.
- Heat Beans and Enchilada Sauce: While the beef simmers, heat the refried beans and enchilada sauce separately in small saucepans over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Fry the Tortillas: In a clean skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Lightly fry each flour tortilla until golden and crisp, about 1 minute per side. Remove tortillas and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Assemble the Mexican Pizzas: Spread a generous layer of warm refried beans on half of the fried tortillas. Then add a layer of the seasoned ground beef over the beans.
- Add Tortilla and Enchilada Sauce: Place the remaining tortillas on top of the beef-covered tortillas. Spread a layer of enchilada sauce over each top tortilla.
- Top with Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top of each assembled pizza. Place the pizzas on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Add Garnishes: Remove from the oven and garnish with diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, sliced olives, and a dollop of sour cream on top.
- Serve: Slice each Mexican pizza into halves or quarters and serve warm. These pair well with sides like Popeyes Coleslaw or a refreshing iced tea lemonade.
Notes
- Make sure to fry the tortillas until crisp but not too dark to avoid bitterness.
- For a spicier version, add jalapeños or hot sauce as garnish.
- Use low-fat cheese or ground turkey to reduce calories.
- Leftover pizzas can be reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
- Vegetarian option: Replace ground beef with seasoned sautéed vegetables or black beans.
Keywords: Mexican pizzas, Taco Bell copycat, fried tortillas, ground beef recipe, enchilada sauce, refried beans, Mexican cheese blend
