Craving that iconic Taco Bell Mexican Pizza but want to make it at home? This copycat recipe delivers all the crispy, cheesy, savory goodness of the original with simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store. With layers of seasoned ground beef, refried beans, melted cheese, and fresh toppings sandwiched between crispy tortillas, this homemade version might just be better than the fast-food favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat Recipe) brings the beloved fast-food classic right to your kitchen with authentic flavors and customizable toppings. You’ll love how easy it is to recreate that perfect combination of textures – crispy tortilla shells, creamy refried beans, savory seasoned beef, and gooey melted cheese. Unlike the restaurant version, you can control the quality of ingredients and adjust the spice level to your liking. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and makes enough to feed the whole family. The best part? It tastes even better than the original and takes less than 30 minutes to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Base
- 8 flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water
- 4 tablespoons enchilada sauce
- 8 ounces refried beans (½ can)
- ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Mexican cheese blend)
Topping
- 4 tablespoons enchilada sauce
- ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Mexican cheese blend)
Garnishes (Optional)
- 1 tomato (roma or beefsteak, seeds removed and diced)
- 1 small red onion (diced)
- ¼ cup black olives
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 green onions (finely diced)
How to Make Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat Recipe)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Tortillas Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place tortillas on baking sheets and brush lightly with oil or cooking spray. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through. Set aside to cool.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and crumbly, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat. Add taco seasoning and water, stirring to combine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the beef is well-seasoned.
Step 3: Warm the Refried Beans In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, warm the refried beans until smooth and spreadable. Add a splash of water if needed to achieve the right consistency.
Step 4: Assemble the First Layer Place 4 crispy tortillas on a baking sheet. Spread each tortilla evenly with warmed refried beans, leaving a small border around the edges. Top with the seasoned ground beef mixture, then drizzle with 4 tablespoons of enchilada sauce. Sprinkle with ½ cup of shredded cheese.
Step 5: Add the Second Tortilla Layer Place the remaining 4 crispy tortillas on top of each assembled pizza. Gently press down to help them adhere. Brush or spread the remaining 4 tablespoons of enchilada sauce over the top tortillas, then sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of cheese.
Step 6: Final Bake Return the assembled Mexican pizzas to the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 7: Add Garnishes and Serve Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes. Top with diced tomatoes, red onion, black olives, sour cream, and green onions as desired. Cut into wedges and serve immediately.
Helpful Tips
For Extra Crispy Tortillas: Fry tortillas in a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side instead of baking them. This creates an even crispier texture that’s closer to the original.
Make It Spicier: Add diced jalapeños to the ground beef mixture or use hot enchilada sauce. You can also sprinkle some cayenne pepper or hot sauce on top.
Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Make sure your tortillas are completely crispy before assembling, and don’t overload with wet ingredients. Pat diced tomatoes dry with paper towels before using.
Cheese Melting Tip: Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting.
Make Ahead Option: You can prepare the seasoned beef and crispy tortillas ahead of time. Store separately and assemble just before the final baking step.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Mexican pizzas
Difficulty: Easy
This recipe creates 4 individual Mexican pizzas, perfect for a family dinner or casual entertaining. Each pizza serves one person as a main dish or can be cut into wedges for sharing as an appetizer.
Notes
Tortilla Choice: While flour tortillas are traditional and create the closest copycat experience, corn tortillas work well too and add a slightly different flavor profile. Just make sure they’re the larger, burrito-size tortillas for best results.
Ground Meat Alternatives: Ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based ground meat substitute can be used in place of ground beef. Adjust cooking time as needed.
Bean Variations: Black beans, pinto beans, or even a bean-free version work if you prefer. Just mash the beans slightly for easier spreading.
Cheese Options: A Mexican cheese blend gives the most authentic flavor, but cheddar and mozzarella create that classic melty texture. Avoid using only mozzarella as it can be too mild.
Storage Note: These are best enjoyed fresh and hot. If you must store leftovers, keep components separate when possible to maintain texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this recipe vegetarian? A: Absolutely! Simply omit the ground beef and add extra beans, or substitute with seasoned black beans, lentils, or your favorite plant-based ground meat alternative.
Q: How do I keep the tortillas from getting soggy? A: The key is making sure your tortillas are completely crispy before assembling and not overloading with wet ingredients. Also, serve immediately after baking for best texture.
Q: Can I use soft tortillas instead of making them crispy? A: While you can, the texture won’t be the same as the Taco Bell version. The crispy tortillas are essential for the authentic experience and structural integrity of the pizza.
Q: What’s the best way to reheat leftovers? A: Place in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to re-crisp the tortillas. Avoid microwaving as it will make the tortillas soggy.
Q: Can I freeze these Mexican pizzas? A: It’s not recommended to freeze assembled pizzas as the tortillas will lose their crispiness. However, you can freeze the seasoned ground beef mixture for up to 3 months.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover Mexican pizzas in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Place in airtight containers or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Note that the tortillas will lose some crispiness.
Reheating: For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through and the tortillas regain some crispiness. You can also use a toaster oven. Avoid microwaving as it will make the tortillas soggy.
Component Storage: If you want to meal prep, store the seasoned ground beef, crispy tortillas, and other components separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble and bake when ready to eat.
Freezer Storage: The seasoned ground beef mixture can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using. Do not freeze assembled pizzas.
Conclusion
This Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat Recipe) proves that you don’t need to leave home to enjoy your favorite fast-food flavors. With simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, you can create a homemade version that rivals the original while allowing you to customize it to your taste preferences. The combination of crispy tortillas, savory seasoned beef, creamy beans, and melted cheese creates a satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Give this recipe a try and discover how easy it is to bring the taste of Taco Bell to your own kitchen – you might just find that homemade tastes even better than the drive-through version.