Craving that iconic Taco Bell favorite but know you can make it even better at home? You’ve come to the right place. This Mexican Pizza Recipe delivers everything you love—crispy fried tortillas, savory seasoned beef, and gooey melted cheese—but with a fresh, homemade quality that takeout just can’t match. It’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner or fun weekend meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Forget the drive-thru! In less than 30 minutes, you can create a layered masterpiece that’s packed with flavor and endlessly customizable. Let’s dive in and make the best Mexican Pizza you’ve ever had.
Why You’ll Love This Mexican Pizza Recipe
- Better Than Takeout: Get all the nostalgic flavor of the fast-food classic but with fresh, high-quality ingredients. You control the quality, and the taste is unbelievably better.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is surprisingly simple and comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect solution for busy weeknights.
- Perfectly Crispy Shells: We’ll show you the secret to getting those flour tortillas perfectly golden and crispy, creating the ideal base for all the delicious layers.
- Family-Friendly Fun: Assembling these pizzas is a fun activity for the whole family. Everyone can customize their own with their favorite toppings!
What is a Mexican Pizza?
A Mexican Pizza is a delicious layered dish inspired by the famous Taco Bell menu item. It consists of two crispy, fried flour tortillas. Between them, you’ll find a savory layer of seasoned ground beef and refried beans. The top tortilla is covered in a zesty red sauce, a generous amount of melted cheese, and fresh toppings like diced tomatoes and green onions. It’s the perfect fusion of a classic pizza and a crunchy taco.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly spectacular result. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ground Beef: We recommend an 80/20 or 85/15 blend for the perfect balance of flavor and tenderness.
- Taco Seasoning: Use your favorite store-bought packet or make your own for extra flavor control.
- Flour Tortillas: Small, fajita-sized tortillas work best for frying up into a crispy, pizza-like crust.
- Refried Beans: This adds a creamy, savory layer that helps hold everything together.
- Enchilada Sauce: A mild red enchilada sauce serves as the “pizza sauce.”
- Mexican Cheese Blend: A pre-shredded blend of Monterey Jack, Cheddar, and Asadero cheeses melts beautifully.
- Vegetable Oil: For frying the tortillas until they are perfectly golden and crisp.
- Toppings: Diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream are classic choices!
How to Make This Mexican Pizza Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create your own homemade Mexican Pizza. It’s easier than you think!
Step 1: Prepare the Tortilla Shells
Heat about an inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place one tortilla in the skillet. Fry for about 30-60 seconds per side, or until it’s golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to remove the tortilla and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
In a separate skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and the amount of water called for on the packet instructions. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened. If you enjoy creating your own spice blends, this is a great place to customize. For another flavorful ground beef dinner, consider making these delicious easy ground beef enchiladas (coming soon).
Step 3: Assemble the First Layer
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place four of the fried tortillas on a large baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of refried beans on each tortilla, followed by a layer of the seasoned ground beef mixture.
Step 4: Add the Top Layer and Toppings
Place the remaining four crispy tortillas on top of the beef layer. Spread a few tablespoons of enchilada sauce over each top tortilla, just like you would with pizza sauce. Sprinkle a generous amount of the Mexican cheese blend over the sauce.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Carefully remove the pizzas from the oven. Top with your favorite fixings like diced tomatoes and sliced green onions. Slice into wedges and serve immediately with a side of sour cream.
Pro Tips for the Best Homemade Mexican Pizza
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the tortillas one at a time to ensure they cook evenly and get super crispy.
- Use Fresh Toppings: The contrast of the warm, cheesy pizza with cool, fresh toppings like tomatoes, onions, and a dollop of sour cream is key.
- Warm the Refried Beans: For easier spreading, warm the refried beans in the microwave for 30 seconds before assembling.
- Customize the Spice: Feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef or use a spicy enchilada sauce to kick up the heat. For a different but equally delicious weeknight meal, try our popular taco soup recipe.
Fun Variations to Try
One of the best parts about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Vegetarian Mexican Pizza: Swap the ground beef for black beans or a plant-based crumble to make a delicious vegetarian version.
- Chicken or Turkey: Use seasoned ground chicken or turkey instead of beef for a leaner option.
- Add More Veggies: Mix in sautéed onions, bell peppers, or black olives with the meat mixture for extra flavor and nutrients. This reminds us of other great recipes like these Blackstone steak quesadillas, which are also packed with flavor.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
While Mexican Pizza is best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftovers. Place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, we highly recommend using an air fryer or a toaster oven to help re-crisp the tortilla shells. A few minutes at 350°F (175°C) should do the trick. Microwaving will work in a pinch, but the tortillas will become soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! To make a vegetarian version, simply substitute the seasoned ground beef with a can of black beans (rinsed and drained) or your favorite plant-based ground meat alternative. Season it the same way for a delicious result.
The key to crispy tortillas is frying them in about an inch of hot oil for 30-60 seconds per side. Frying them one at a time ensures they cook evenly and develop a perfectly golden, bubbly, and crisp texture.
While we love the original, this homemade version is a clear winner! Using fresh ingredients, high-quality beef, and perfectly crisping the tortillas yourself results in a fresher, more flavorful Mexican Pizza that you can customize just the way you like it.
The sauce on a Mexican Pizza is typically a mild red enchilada sauce. It provides a zesty, slightly tangy flavor that acts as the perfect substitute for traditional pizza sauce in this recipe.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. For the best result, reheat them in an air fryer or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes. This will help make the tortilla shells crispy again.
Share This Delicious Recipe!
We hope you love this homemade Mexican Pizza Recipe as much as we do! It’s a game-changer for taco night and proves that sometimes, the copycat is even better than the original. If you tried this recipe, we’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below and share your creation on Pinterest!
Mexican Pizza Recipe
Mexican Pizza Recipe (The Crispy, Cheesy Taco Bell Copycat)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry each tortilla for 30-60 seconds per side until golden and crispy. Place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- In a second skillet, cook ground beef until browned. Drain grease. Stir in taco seasoning and water, and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place 4 fried tortillas on a baking sheet. Spread a layer of refried beans on each, then top with the seasoned beef mixture.
- Place a second fried tortilla on top of the beef layer on each pizza. Spread enchilada sauce over the top tortillas.
- Sprinkle generously with the shredded Mexican cheese blend.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and top with diced tomatoes and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Reheat any leftovers in an air fryer or toaster oven to keep the shells crispy.
