Mexican Pizza – a homemade version of the famous Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, only better! Super easy and a fun dinner the whole family will love.
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I used to love Taco Bell. I am pretty sure it was because you could get so much food for so little money, but their crunchy tacos were my favorite! Then one day I discovered the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza and I was hooked! But their Crunchwrap Supreme ranks pretty high too.
And now that they discontinued it, it is time to make it at home, even better! Although, I heard they are coming back in May of 2022.
We all know I love Mexican food in any form. I mean, I could have Sour Cream Enchiladas every day and be one happy girl. But sometimes you have to mix it up a bit. And making restaurant favorites at home, is always a good idea!
This Taco Bell Mexican Pizza recipe is really simple to make, you just need few ingredients and a few minutes and you are done.
Mexican Pizza Ingredients
- Tortillas (see below for notes on flour vs corn)
- Refried Beans
- Ground Beef
- Taco Seasoning
- Enchilada Sauce
- Colby Jack Cheese
- Diced Tomatoes
- Oil
The nice thing about this is you can customize it however you want. If you don’t like beans, don’t add them. If you really like black olives, add them. It is up to you! Back when this first came out at Taco Bell it included black olives.
I stuck with the basic version you can find at Taco Bell that has refried beans, taco meat, and a few diced tomatoes on top. I did add a couple of green onions for color, but you could use cilantro instead or just leave it plain. And if you have any Homemade Refried Beans, use those!
How to Make Mexican Pizza
- The first step is to make the taco meat. You can use ground beef or ground turkey and whatever taco seasoning you like. Just make it like you would for taco night.
- Next you want to get the tortillas nice and crispy. If you have a griddle or large skillet that fits more than one, break it out for this. Add a little bit of oil to your pan and heat the tortillas over a medium high heat. You want to flip them frequently so they don’t burn. But cook for 4-5 minutes until they are crispy.
- Now you start assembling. Spread a layer of refried beans along the bottom of the tortilla. Top with a layer of taco meat.
- Once you have your filling, add the second tortilla and top with enchilada sauce. You don’t want too much, or it will get soggy.
- Add a few diced tomatoes and an even layer of cheese over the sauce.
- Now you bake until the cheese is melted, the tortillas are crispy and everything is hot!
- I like to let them sit for a minute before I slice them so it doesn’t make a huge mess. Serve with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or just as is!
Flour Or Corn Tortillas
I call for flour in this recipe, because that is what I like. But you can definitely use corn. I believe that Taco Bell uses corn and then fries them to get them super crispy. So if you want it a little more “authentic” then you can use corn.
If you read the comment section below there are a few former employees who commented. It sounds like what they used may have changed over the years or maybe region of the country. So whatever tortilla you like, you can get it crispy and it works great.
I have been making this Mexican pizza for years, and it is such a fun way to mix up taco night. It is easy to make and have everything on hand, plus the whole family will love it! Plus like a lot of copycat recipes, this is so much better than the original! You know what the ingredients are and get to use your favorites!
Recipe Tips
- What tortillas you use is entirely up to you, just get them crispy before you start. I have heard from people who say they worked at Taco Bell and they used flour. I have heard from people who swear they use corn. So I feel like it is anyone’s guess, and just use what you like. They do sell tortillas that are a mix of both, and those would be great too.
- Lots of people like adding cheese to the middle to help keep it together. I am pretty sure Taco Bell did not do this, but theirs also wasn’t as full. But if you like cheese and want to make it easier to deal with, add it!
- You can easily make this vegetarian by just leaving out the ground beef. Obviously make sure you use vegetarian beans if you are buying them at the store.
- If you like things spicy you can use hot enchilada sauce, or add jalapenos to your ground beef.
- This Homemade Enchilada Sauce is great if you don’t want to use the store bought stuff.
Want More Copycat Recipes
- Canes Sauce
- Pasta Milano
- Cheddar Bay Biscuits
- Idaho Nachos
- Cafe Rio Dressing
- Red Lobster Tartar Sauce
- Cookie Dough Cheesecake
- Fiesta Lime Chicken
Mexican Pizza
Mexican Pizza - a homemade version of the famous Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, only better! Super easy and a fun dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 can (15 oz) refried beans
- 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 8 flour tortillas, taco size
- 1 Tbls vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large skillet brown ground beef, breaking up into small pieces. Once cooked, add taco seasoning and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- In a large skillet or griddle pour half of the oil into the pan. Heat over medium high heat. Add tortillas and cook for 4-5 minutes, flipping frequently, until crisp. Repeat with remaining tortillas and oil.
- Spread about 1/4 cup of beans evenly over the bottom of each tortilla. Top with taco meat.
- Place another tortilla over the top of the meat. Spread about 2 Tbls of enchilada sauce evenly over the tortilla. Divide tomatoes evenly over the top of the tortillas.
- Sprinkle the cheese in an even layer over the top.
- Place each pizza on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is hot.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
You can use less or more of all the ingredients. Store any leftovers covered in the fridge.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 655Total Fat 32gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 100mgSodium 1251mgCarbohydrates 54gFiber 6gSugar 6gProtein 37g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.
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Annie says
Thank you! I’ve been searching for a recipe just like this!
Jacquelyn Hastert says
My favorite thing to order at Taco Bell. Made this tonight and it was WAY better than anything Taco Bell serves. Thank you!
K says
I used to be a manger at TB I can definitely tell you they use flour shell’s. Back in the 80s they even used to put black olive’s on them but they did away with the olives all together
Beth Pierce says
I know what I will be having for dinner tomorrow! So flavorful and tasty; can’t wait to enjoy this recipe!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
I love how easy and delicious this is!! My family would LOVE it!!
Jacque Hooper says
This is everything a gourmet recipe should be, and then some! Looking forward to enjoying this for dinner this week!
Valentina says
Love this Mexican pizza idea!
Krissy Allori says
This was amazing! A hit with my whole family.
Natasha says
Great recipe for busy week nights
Laura Reese says
Mexican Pizza is my secret pleasure. I can’t wait to make your version.
Janet Bradley says
Can I replaced the tomatoes with salsa???
Gerald Kennedy says
No. This recipe may not be altered.
Glynna says
Yes, I eliminate them, my husband doesn’t like them.
Michelle Goth says
I am a taco bell fanatic! I am totally going to make these at home!
Sandra says
This will be a sure hit at my house!!
Anna says
My kids loved this pizza for lunch!
Aimee says
My family loves the Taco Bell pizza! We’re going to love this!
Kristyn says
Mexican food & pizza..my two favorites!! This is absolutely delicious!! A family favorite!
Debra says
The recipe is very close. I worked at taco bell. I like it better will salsa and green onions also olives
Sara says
Just FYI Taco Bell actually do use flour tortillas
Erin S says
Thank you! I thought that was the case.
Jennie says
So does this recipe make 4 pizzas, using 2 tortillas for each?
Erin S says
Yes, you can see in the pictures, there is a tortilla on the top and bottom of each one. So it makes 4 total pizzas.
Debbie says
We really enjoyed this recipe, but a suggestion I have that I am going to do next time is put some cheese first and last INSIDE the pizza to act as glue to hold it together
Evelyn Woller says
I tried this recipe the other night. It tasted good; however, no matter how much or how little enchilada sauce I put on the top tortilla, it still came out soggy. So, I put the sauce on the first layer with the meat and beans. The pizza came out MUCH better that time. It didn’t come out soggy and kept its shaped that time and still tasted just as good Next time I make this will definitely put the sauce on the first layer. It was just easier to put together and bake at the end with sauce on the bottom layer.
Richard Wall says
TB certainly used flour tortillas. I remember when they would put black olives on top. The mexican pizza and enchirito where the two things I would get. Now they serve neither and I no longer visit.
Katie says
If this helps at all, a former TB employee told me they actually use a tortilla that is a hybrid of corn and flour mixed together for the Mexican pizza. You can buy hybrid corn-flour tortillas online for pretty cheap.
anon says
Don’t use pre-packaged taco seasoning–way too much sodium. Don’t use enchilada sauce–make your own.
Erin S says
There is a link to homemade enchilada sauce in the post.
Michelle Crawford says
Taco Bell, Whom i used to work for in the 80’s used flour tortillas that were fried like the old taco Lites..taco shells.. but we didnt use our red enchilada taco sauce on it.. it was a chunky tomato pizza sauce.. im still looking for a recipe…
Erin S says
I feel like Taco Bell made them differently over the years. I have heard from multiple previous employees, and depending on when they worked their, the process was different. Probably based on what products that distributor sold, the cost and the amount of labor it took to make them.
Shan says
Worked at the in the 90s. Definitely flour tortillas and yes.. that chunky pizza sauce is what gives it a little sweetness and lightness or the enchilada sauce. I miss the chilitos! Back when they still had chili. Those were the best. I make them at home still. Chili.
Debra Kinney says
My son loved the Chilitos……wish they would bring them back!
Jill LNF says
Im a little confused. Do you fry all the tortillas and set aside? Then assemble and bake all at once?
Erin S says
Yes, start by getting the tortillas crispy. Then you assemble and bake them.
Sandi says
When I tried to make them, the flour tortillas kept bubbling up. How do you stop that?
Erin S says
As you were frying them? That can just happen with tortillas, it isn’t a bad thing, it means they are fresh. You can just press down as they cook if you don’t want the bubbles.
Tonya says
Sandi, to not have the tortillas bubble up, take a sharp knife and just poke the fresh tortillas on both sides a few times before frying them up. This helps the air escape.