I’m sharing a copycat recipe for one of my guilty pleasures – the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza! If you’re a fan of this iconic fast food dish, you can easily recreate it in the comfort of your own kitchen. From crispy tortillas to the flavorful filling of seasoned ground beef and mouthwatering toppings like melty cheese, this homemade Mexican pizza recipe is a true crowd-pleaser.
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Why to Love This Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Recipe
It’s customizable: The beauty of making your own Mexican Pizza is that you can get creative using your favorite ingredients. Don’t like green onions? No problem! Want extra cheese? Go for it! This recipe allows you to make it just the way you like it.
Budget-friendly: Eating out can quickly add up, especially with the rising prices of on demand delivery services like Door Dash and Uber Eats. With this homemade version, you’ll save money without compromising taste. Plus you just can’t beat the flavor of using fresh ingredients.
Perfect for gatherings: Whether it’s game night with friends or a family dinner, the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza will be a hit. It’s easy to prepare in advance and assemble when ready to serve – making it an excellent option for entertaining guests. Serve them at your taco bar party!
When did Taco Bell first create the Mexican Pizza?
Taco Bell introduced this famous Mexican Pizza back in 1985 as part of their expanding menu options inspired by Tex-Mex cuisine.
The pizza consists of two crispy tortillas layered with a seasoned ground beef mixture, refried beans a blend of cheeses and topped with diced tomatoes. The original taco bell version included green onions and black olives. The green onions were discontinued back in early 2000’s due to an e. Coli outbreak. It’s believed the olives were removed in the early 1990’s.
Over the years, the Mexican pizza has become one of their most popular and beloved menu items. See the original commercial below.
Overview of Ingredients Needed
- Flour Tortilla Shells: These will serve as the crispy base for your Mexican Pizza. You can also use soft corn shells.
- Ground Beef: Ground beef works best for this dish, providing a savory filling. Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken.
- Taco Seasoning Mix: To add that classic Tex-Mex flavor explosion, use your favorite taco seasoning mix or make your own blend.
- Refried Black Beans: A layer of creamy refried black beans adds richness and depth to the pizza. The original recipe calls for refried pinto beans but I love the flavor of black beans. Buy them canned at the grocery store or make your own.
- Enchilada Sauce: Again, you can use store-bought or make your own from scratch. My scratch recipes for enchilada sauce and refried black beans are coming soon. Use your favorite taco sauce is you don’t care for enchilada sauce.
- Blend of Cheeses: Cheddar cheese, pepperjack cheese and mozzarella cheese is a great blend but feel free to get creative with your cheese mix. If you can, get the blocks of cheese and grate them yourself.
- Diced Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes bring a burst of juicy goodness to each bite.
- Sour cream: Just a dollop will do! Or in my case, 2 or 3 dallops.
- Sliced Black Olives (optional): If you’re a black olive lover (I’m not), feel free to sprinkle some on for extra flavor and texture.
- Vegetable Oil: To achieve that signature crunch, you’ll need some vegetable oil such as avocado oil or canola oil to fry the tortilla shells until golden brown and crisp.
How to Make Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up into crumbles. Once cooked through, drain excess grease.
Add taco seasoning mix and water to the browned beef. Stir well until fully combined and simmer for 3-4 minutes on medium low. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 375°F
In another skillet over medium-high heat add a few tablespoons of oil (enough to cover the bottom of the pan). Fry the flour tortilla shells until crispy and golden brown, flipping halfway through. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels or use a cooling rack.
Spread about two tablespoons of refried black beans evenly on one side of four shells.
Spread an equal amount of the ground beef mixture over the beans.
Spread 1-2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce over the beef layer.
Add a layer of shredded cheese.
Place the second tortilla shell on top. Add another layer of enchilada sauce and shredded cheese.
Place assembled pizzas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Once ready, remove from oven and top with diced tomatoes and green onions.
Cut each pizza into quarters and top with sour cream.
Expert Tips for Making This Mexican Pizza Copycat
- Add your favorite toppings: Experiment with additional toppings like sliced jalapeños, diced avocado or even some crushed tortilla chips for added texture.
- Crisp up the Shells: For that iconic crunch make sure you cook the shells long enough to become crispy.
How to Make This Mexican Pizza Keto Friendly and Low Carb
- Swap out flour tortillas with low-carb alternatives such as almond flour or cauliflower tortillas. I actually prefer to use these carb balance shells.
- Replace traditional refried beans with mashed avocado or guacamole.
- Make sure the enchilada sauce you buy has no added sugar or make your own.
- Use full-fat cheese instead of reduced-fat versions for added richness without adding carbs.
How to Make This a Vegan Mexican Pizza
- Replace ground beef with plant-based alternatives such as crumbled tofu, tempeh or a meatless ground substitute. My favorite meatless crumbles are made is Gardein.
- Be sure the tortillas you use aren’t made with any animal by-products or you can make your own!
- Substitute regular cheese with vegan cheese alternatives made from nuts or soy. There are many options available such as Daiya and Violife.
- Again, check the ingredients to be sure the refried beans are made without lard or other animal fats.
What to Serve With Mexican Pizza
Mexican Rice: A side of fluffy aromatic rice cooked in tomato sauce and spices pairs perfectly with this pizza.
Homemade Salsa: Whip up a batch of fresh salsa using ripe tomatoes, onions, peppers and cilantro. Serve with a side of crispy chips.
Guacamole: Creamy and flavorful guacamole made from ripe avocados is an ideal dip to pair with this pizza.
Grilled Vegetables: Lightly charred bell peppers, onions and corn on the cob add color and freshness while offering a contrast in textures.
How to Store and Reheat Mexican Pizza
If you have leftovers (which is rare because it’s so delicious!), you can store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the pizza slices on a baking sheet and warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave but you’ll lose some of that initial crunch of the tortillas.
Original Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Calories
The original Taco Bell pizza contains approximately 530 calories per pizza. However, by making your own version at home, you can control the ingredients and adjust the calorie count to fit your dietary needs.
Is the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Gluten Free?
Unfortunately, Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza is not gluten-free as it contains flour tortillas. However, with some gluten-free tortilla options available in stores or by making your own using alternative flours like corn or rice, you can easily create a gluten-free version of this yummy dish.
Why Did Taco Bell Get Rid of the Mexican Pizza?
Taco Bell made the decision to remove the Mexican Pizza from its menu in November 2020 as part of its plan to streamline its offerings and reduce waste. The move was met with disappointment from many fans who had grown fond of this iconic item. Me included!
When Did Taco Bell Bring Back the Mexican Pizza?
In response to overwhelming demand (including a chang.org petition) and feedback from customers expressing their love for the Mexican Pizza, Taco Bell announced its return in March 2021. This news delighted fans worldwide who rejoiced at the opportunity to once again savor this classic fast-food delight.
More FAQs About a Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Recipe
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
Absolutely! Corn tortillas will give your pizza an authentic twist and are a great gluten-free option.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Definitely! Simply omit the ground beef and replace it with plant-based alternatives such as crumbled tofu or meatless ground substitutes.
How spicy is this recipe?
The spice level depends on your personal taste preferences. If you enjoy heat, feel free to add additional spices or diced jalapeños.
Can I make the tortilla shells in advance?
If you want a crispy tortilla, it’s best to assemble the pizza immediately after frying the shells, you can make them a few hours ahead and store them in an airtight container until ready to use.
That’s it! My guide to creating the iconic Taco Bell Mexican pizza at home. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy the crispy tortillas, seasoned beef, melted cheese and vibrant toppings reminiscent of a beloved creation. Let me know if you give this Taco Bell copycat recipe a try!
More Copycat Recipes
- Eggplant Pirogue
- Blove’s Smackalicious Seafood Boil Sauce
- Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 1/4 oz taco seasoning mix
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup refried black beans
- 3/4 cup enchilada sauce
- 8 flour tortillas
- vegetable oil for frying shells
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced green onions
- sour cream
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives, optional
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up into crumbles. Once cooked through, drain excess grease.
- Add taco seasoning mix and water to the browned beef. Stir well until fully combined and simmer for 3-4 minutes on medium low. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F
- In another skillet over medium-high heat add a few tablespoons of oil (enough to cover the bottom of the pan). Fry the flour tortilla shells until crispy and golden brown, flipping halfway through. Drain on a paper towel lined plate or cooling rack.
- Spread about two tablespoons of refried black beans evenly on one side of four shells.
- Spread an equal amount of the ground beef mixture over the beans.
- Spread 1-2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce over the beef layer.
- Add a layer of shredded cheese.
- Place the plain tortilla shell on top. Add another layer of enchilada sauce and shredded cheese.
- Place assembled pizzas on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once ready, remove from oven and top with diced tomatoes and green onions.
- Cut each pizza into quarters and top with sour cream.
11 Responses
Move over TB, I will be making my own pizzas at home now, this was so easy and tasted so much better!
When I get a craving for my favorite Taco Bell meu item, I am going to stay right at home and make this easy Mexican pizza instead!
Your recipe sounds delicious, crispy and cheesy. Your creativity and unique idea of the Taco shells and the Pizza looks is so exciting,specially when it comes to kids. Would love to try this out.
Everyone in my family loved it, and it tasted just like the real deal from the fast-food chain. The combination of flavors and textures was spot-on.
I love this copycat recipe! Better than the restaurants version and I can make it anytime I want!
We don’t have Taco Belle here in Italy so I was really excited to try this recipe. So yummy and full of flavourful. Will be on repeat at our house!
This is my go to party pizza recipe. I prepare the pizzas ahead, then store them in the fridge until right before it’s time to serve. Then easily bake them to serve warm.
This tastes so good, exactly like I expected. My kids love them, and we like to make them on Friday nights instead of ordering takeout.
This tastes so delicious, just as I expected it would. Everyone enjoyed it and I will love to make it again especially on busy weeknights.
The kids will LOVE this!! Thanks so much for a great recipe!! It’s a perfect weeknight dinner when school begins!
Following your tips, I made the vegetarian version using tofu and it was delicious. Thanks a lot for including a plant-based solution!