Mexican Pizza combines crispy fried flour tortillas, refried beans, and seasoned ground beef in a copycat recipe that’s better than Taco Bell. Add layers of cheese and toppings for a homemade twist on a fast-food favorite!
Looking for more fun pizza recipes? Try my Taco Pizza, Breakfast Pizza, Mini Pizza Cups, and Sheet Pan Pizza next.
Mexican Pizza Recipe
There's something about that combination of melty cheese, creamy refried beans, and perfectly seasoned beef that makes Mexican pizza irresistible. The golden fried tortillas add just the right amount of crunch, taking this homemade version to the next level.
The best part? You never have to worry about whether Taco Bell decides to discontinue it again. These are easy to customize with your favorite toppings, so everyone in the family gets exactly what they want. And trust me, kids absolutely love them!
Is Mexican Pizza really Mexican food?
No, not really! It is in fact an American-made spin on pizza. Taco Bell introduced Mexican Pizza back in 1988. The pizza was a huge hit amongst fast food chain lovers.
It is a spin on pizza because it lays flat and is topped with meats and cheeses, and sandwiched between tortillas. Once the pizzas are made, they are cut into triangular shapes- just like a traditional pizza is. So although it has Mexican-style toppings, it is an American made dish.
Ingredients
- Flour tortillas: I tested this recipe with both flour and corn tortillas, and the flour tortillas nailed the Taco Bell copycat vibe. They fry up perfectly golden and crispy!
- Vegetable oil: Essential for frying the tortillas to that signature crispiness.
- Ground beef: Use lean ground beef for the best texture and flavor. Make sure to season it well for that classic taco flavor!
- Refried beans: A can of your favorite refried beans works perfectly here, or feel free to use homemade if you have it.
- Cheddar cheese: Freshly grated cheddar melts better and gives you that gooey, irresistible cheese layer.
- Taco sauce: A good enchilada sauce can work in a pinch, but if you can find Taco Bell's taco sauce, it’s as close to the original as you can get!
- Tomatoes: Freshly diced tomatoes are a must for capturing that true Taco Bell flavor and adding a bright, juicy contrast.
- Green onions: Not just for color—these bring a fresh, savory kick that ties everything together.
Seasoning for Taco Meat
All of the flavor comes from the taco seasoning. Chili powder, cumin, and seasoned salt bring warmth and depth, while onion powder, garlic powder, and dried oregano add savory, aromatic notes that tie the flavors together perfectly.
- Chili powder
- Seasoned salt
- Cumin
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
How to Make Mexican Pizza
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
I start by browning my ground beef in a large skillet. I use paper towels to remove any excess oil from the skillet. Then I add taco seasoning to make the seasoned beef.
Next, I add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, I add in my flour tortillas one at a time and fry them until they're golden brown. I continue frying the remaining tortillas until they are all done.
Then I remove the tortillas and place them on a bed of paper towels to drain the excess grease.
Once my cheese is shredded, and my toppings are prepared, I begin assembling the taco pizzas.
Add a thin layer of the refried beans to on tortilla. Then top it with your seasoned beef, add a thin layer of Mexican cheese, then top it with another flour tortilla.
Now you'll want to add a thin layer of red enchilada sauce to the top of the tortilla, and sprinkle on some of the shredded cheese.
I top my pizzas with diced tomatoes, green onions, and black olives (optional but delicious). Now pop the Mexican pizzas in the oven and bake for 10 minutes so that the cheese can melt perfectly.
Pro Tips
- Fry tortillas one at a time for the best results. Overcrowding the skillet can lower the oil temperature, leading to soggy tortillas instead of crispy ones. Keep an eye on them, as they fry quickly.
- Drain tortillas on paper towels to remove excess oil. This step ensures they stay crispy and light, without an oily texture. It also keeps the flavors balanced in the final dish.
- Warm the refried beans before assembling. Heating the beans makes them easier to spread evenly across the tortillas, preventing tearing or uneven layers.
- Don’t skip seasoning the taco meat. The blend of spices is what gives the meat its rich, authentic taco flavor, so take the time to let it simmer and absorb all the seasonings.
- Bake just long enough to melt the cheese. A quick 5-10 minutes in the oven is all you need to achieve perfectly melted cheese without over-drying the tortillas. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
Storage
These Mexican pizzas are best enjoyed fresh for that crispy tortilla crunch, but you can store leftovers. Wrap them in foil or place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, store the ingredients separately and assemble just before reheating.
To reheat, place pizzas in the oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas regain their crispness. Avoid the microwave because it can make the tortillas soggy.
Recipe Variations
- Corn Tortillas: Swap flour tortillas for corn tortillas to enjoy a slightly crunchier texture.
- Taco Meat: Customize the protein by using ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat instead of ground beef.
- Cheese: Opt for cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend—either way, the cheese is essential for that gooey, melty layer.
- Sauce: Experiment with flavors by adding Creamy Chipotle Sauce, Enchilada Sauce, or your favorite salsa on top.
FAQ
Can I bake the tortillas instead of frying them?
Yes, you can bake the tortillas for a slightly healthier option. Brush each side with a little oil and bake at 400°F for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden and crispy.
How many calories are in a Mexican pizza at Taco Bell?
The dish is 540 calories without any add-ons or upgrades.
Can I use pizza sauce instead of enchilada sauce?
Since this is a taco pizza, traditional pizza sauce would not give you the Mexican flavor that you are looking for. So no, pizza sauce is not a good substitution for taco sauce or red enchilada sauce in this recipe.
More Taco Bell Copycat Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
After you try this Taco Bell Mexican Pizza recipe, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Comment below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious recipes!
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 Flour tortillas 6 inch tortillas are ideal
- 2 cups Vegetable oil to fry tortillas
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 can Refried beans
- 4 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups Taco sauce
- 1 cup Tomatoes chopped
- 1 cup Green onions chopped
Seasoning for Taco Meat
- 1 ½ tablespoon Chili powder
- ½ tablespoon Seasoned salt
- 2 teaspoons Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Oregano dried
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Add oil to a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the flour tortillas into the hot oil one at a time. Fry on each side for about one minute, or until they are golden brown. Remove the tortilla from the skillet and place on a paper towel lined tray to drain the excess oil. Repeat this until all of the tortillas are fried.
- In a separate skillet, add the ground beef and cook until it is brown, and no more pink is showing. Drain any excess grease out of the skillet, and add 2 tablespoons of water directly into the skillet.
- Place the skillet back on the stove over low heat and add the chili powder, seasoned salt, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and Oregano. Mix all of the seasonings into the beef and simmer on low until most of the water is dissolved.
- While the ground beef is cooking, warm up the refried beans in a microwave safe container for 2 minutes.
- Chop the tomatoes and green onions and set aside.
- Set up a small assembly station to start assembling the pizzas.
- First add about a tablespoon of refried beans to one tortilla and spread it out into one even layer. Next add some of the taco meat, then top with a bit of cheese.
- Next, add another fried tortilla on top of the beef and bean mixture. Spread some of the taco sauce directly on the tortilla. Then top with more shredded cheese, some tomatoes, and some green onions.
- Repeat these steps until all four pizzas are assembled. Place the pizzas on a baking sheet, and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven and let them cool for at least none minute, cut them up, and Enjoy!
Shonna says
We made these last night for dinner and they were so good! I didn’t add the green onions just because I didn’t have any. I’m highly recommending this to all of my friends and family!
Tamara J. says
Yes! I'm glad you guys enjoyed them!
Hannah says
Thank you so much for this recipe! I miss the Taco Bell Mexican pizza so much, and this tasted just like the real thing. So delicious!
George says
Delicious
Penny says
I’m so happy I found this because taco bell teased us with the return of the Mexican pizza! They were so amazing!