Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
This homemade version of the famous Taco Bell Mexican Pizza brings all the cheesy, beefy, and crispy flavors you love — right from your kitchen! It’s a satisfying mash-up of taco and pizza, layered with refried beans, seasoned beef, crispy tortillas, rich enchilada sauce, melty cheese, and fresh toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It tastes just like (or even better than) the fast-food favorite!
Easy to customize with your favorite toppings.
Great for family dinners, parties, or Taco Tuesdays.
Ready in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have.
Key Ingredients
Flour Tortillas: Light and crispy base after frying.
Ground Beef: Savory and seasoned with classic taco spices.
Refried Beans: Creamy, hearty layer between tortillas.
Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend: Melts beautifully over the top.
Enchilada or Taco Sauce: Rich, tangy, and packed with flavor.
Toppings: Tomatoes, green onions, black olives, shredded lettuce (optional but recommended!).
Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Ingredients:
Pizza:
8 flour tortillas (taco sized)
1 pound ground beef
2 tbsp vegetable oil (more, as needed)
¾ c. water
1 packet of taco seasoning
2 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend
15 ounces refried beans (1 15-oz. can)
10 ounces enchilada sauce (or taco sauce, 1 10-oz. can)
Toppings:
green onion (optional, sliced)
white onion (optional, diced)
black olives (optional, sliced)
iceberg lettuce (optional, shredded)
tomatoes (diced)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, crumbling it as you go. Once it’s no longer pink, drain off any excess fat.
Stir in the taco seasoning and water with the cooked beef. Let it come to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
In a separate clean skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. One at a time, fry the tortillas for about 3–4 minutes, flipping occasionally, until they turn crispy and golden. Set aside when done.
Warm the refried beans in a microwave-safe bowl for about 30 seconds, just to make them easier to spread.
Take 4 tortillas and spread each with a generous layer of refried beans. Top each one with a portion of the seasoned ground beef.
Place another tortilla on top of each, pressing gently to form a sandwich. Spread around 2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce or taco sauce over the top of each pizza.
Sprinkle about ½ cup of shredded Mexican cheese blend over each pizza.
Arrange the pizzas on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the center of the oven for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and pile on your favorite toppings: diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced green onions, diced white onions, and black olives.
Notes:
You need just the right amount of vegetable oil to fry all of the tortillas in a pan. You might need to add more as you go along.
If you don’t want meat, you can make Mexican pizzas without beef. In this recipe, you can use any meat substitute you like and season it the same way you would season the meat.
Use whatever toppings you like. I like to add a big scoop of sour cream, for example. On the actual menu, you can add black beans, chicken, jalapenos, onions, steak, seasoned rice, red tortilla strips, lettuce, and more cheese.
If you ordered this at Taco Bell, it would come with refried beans and ground beef between two crispy tortillas and enchilada sauce, cheese, and diced tomatoes on top.
How To Make it Gluten free
Use gluten-free or homemade taco seasoning.
Store-bought gluten-free tortillas or corn tortillas are your best options. Or you can opt to use a low-calorie alternative like a lettuce wrap.
Refried beans are gluten-free, but you can swap them with pinto beans or black beans for another gluten-free option.
Use gluten-free enchilada sauce or swap it with gluten-free taco sauce or make your own.
Recipe Notes:
Frying tortillas: You may need to add extra vegetable oil as you fry. Make sure the tortillas are crisp and golden for the best texture.
Easier spreading: Warm the refried beans slightly in the microwave to make them much easier to spread across the tortillas.
Meat substitutes: You can easily make a vegetarian version by swapping the ground beef for plant-based crumbles, seasoned tofu, or extra beans.
Topping ideas: Customize with whatever you love — sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños, red onions, or extra shredded lettuce for crunch.
Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free tortillas, gluten-free enchilada sauce, and double-check your taco seasoning for hidden gluten.
Cheese blend: A Mexican blend melts beautifully, but you can also mix cheddar and Monterey Jack if that’s what you have on hand.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 Pizza | Calories: 870 | Sugar: 9.1 g | Sodium: 2515.5 mg | Fat: 34.7 g | Carbohydrates: 82.6 g | Protein: 57 g | Cholesterol: 107.8 mg
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, you can make a vegetarian version by substituting the ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives or additional vegetables.
To make it vegan, use vegan-friendly cheese and ensure the refried beans and enchilada/taco sauce are free from animal products.
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
Yes, if you prefer corn tortillas or have dietary restrictions, you can use them instead of flour tortillas.
The cooking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on them while frying to ensure they become crispy.
What toppings can I add to the Mexican Pizza?
The toppings are flexible and can be customized to your liking. Some popular options include sliced green onions, diced white onions, sliced black olives, shredded iceberg lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
You can also add other ingredients such as jalapeños, sour cream, or guacamole.
Can I make the pizza ahead of time and reheat it later?
While the pizza is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, you can make it ahead of time and reheat it.
After baking, allow the pizzas to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat in the oven until heated through.
Can I freeze the Mexican Pizza?
Yes, you can freeze the Mexican Pizza for later consumption. After baking and cooling, wrap the pizzas tightly in plastic wrap or place them in freezer-safe containers. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven.
Can I make the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza healthier?
Yes, you can make some modifications to make the recipe healthier. Consider using lean ground beef or substituting it with ground turkey or chicken. Opt for whole wheat tortillas instead of flour tortillas, and use reduced-fat cheese.
Additionally, you can add more vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to increase the nutritional value.
Can I use pre-made pizza crust instead of tortillas?
Yes, if you prefer a more traditional pizza crust, you can use pre-made pizza dough or store-bought pizza crust instead of tortillas.
Follow the instructions on the pizza crust packaging for baking times and temperature.
Can I substitute the enchilada or taco sauce with salsa?
Yes, if you don’t have enchilada or taco sauce, you can use salsa as a substitute. Choose a salsa with a flavor profile that complements the other ingredients.