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Overhead image of a single serving of Mexican pizza on a rustic brown plate. The pizza is sliced and topped with sour cream, diced tomatoes, black olives, green onions, and cilantro, with lime wedges on the side.
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Homemade Mexican Pizza

This Homemade Mexican Pizza is even better than the Taco Bell version! Filled with seasoned ground beef, refried beans and melted Colby jack cheese, this Mexican Pizza will be a new family favorite. (We're obsessed!)
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 8 pizzas
Calories 442kcal
Author Tawnie Graham of Kroll's Korner

Ingredients

For the tortillas:

  • 16 flour or corn tortillas I use the 6-inch Fajita Mission size. Note: Taco Bell uses flour tortillas
  • vegetable or canola oil
  • salt

For the beef:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 1-oz. packet taco seasoning
  • ¾ cup shredded Colby Jack cheese or a shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 1 Tbsp. enchilada sauce or La Victoria taco sauce works well too

For the Mexican pizzas:

  • 1 15-oz can refried beans
  • 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese or a shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • enchilada sauce or La Victoria taco sauce works well too
  • diced tomatoes
  • green onions
  • black olives optional
  • other optional toppings: sour cream, jalapenos, cilantro, lime wedges, avocado, hot sauce
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Fry the tortillas: Use a toothpick to poke small holes in the tortillas; this helps prevent them from bubbling up as they cook in the oil. Add about ¼ cup oil to a large skillet and heat until it's hot. Once hot, add the tortilla and begin to fry.
    16 flour or corn tortillas, vegetable or canola oil
    Two side-by-side images: On the left, a flour tortilla is pierced with a toothpick on a light countertop, with other tortillas and a small jar of toothpicks nearby. On the right, a tortilla is frying in oil in a white skillet, starting to puff up slightly.
  • Flip the tortillas: Fry the tortilla for about 1-3 minutes, checking and flipping it to ensure it doesn’t get too brown. It should be golden brown on both sides. Remove to a paper towel-lined wire cooling rack, season with salt, and repeat with remaining tortillas, using more oil as necessary. (Note: If you would rather bake or air fry your tortillas, make sure to read my section on alternatives to pan-frying.)
    salt
    Two side-by-side images: On the left, a pair of tongs lifts a partially fried tortilla, showing a golden edge. On the right, the tortilla is fully fried to a golden brown in the skillet with bubbling oil.
  • Preheat and prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or foil; set aside.
  • Cook the beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Return to the burner. Add the seasoning packet and ¾ cup water.
    1 lb. ground beef, 1 1-oz. packet taco seasoning
    Two side-by-side images of a skillet: On the left, cooked ground beef is shown before seasoning. On the right, taco seasoning is sprinkled over the meat while liquid is being poured in from a small container.
  • Stir & simmer: Stir to combine. Simmer for a few minutes, until the mixture thickens.
    Two side-by-side images: On the left, ground beef is being stirred with a wooden spoon after seasoning and adding liquid. On the right, the taco meat is fully mixed and simmering in the seasoned sauce.
  • Add cheese and sauce: Then, add the cheese and enchilada sauce. Stir to combine and set aside.
    ¾ cup shredded Colby Jack cheese, 1 Tbsp. enchilada sauce
    Two side-by-side images: Cooked taco-seasoned ground beef in a skillet with shredded cheese added on the left. On the right, the cheese is being mixed in with the meat using a wooden spoon.

Assemble:

  • Feel free to microwave or heat the can of beans if desired; this can help make it easier to spread.
    1 15-oz can refried beans
  • On one fried tortilla, spread an even layer of refried beans first. About 2-3 Tbsp.
    A fried tortilla placed on a white plate is topped with a smooth layer of refried beans, evenly spread across the surface.
  • Spread a layer of the beef mixture on top of the beans. About ¼ cup.
    The refried bean layer is now topped with a generous amount of saucy ground beef, creating the second layer of the Mexican pizza.
  • Top with another fried tortilla.
    A second fried tortilla has been placed on top of the meat and bean layer, forming a sandwich-style stack on a plate.
  • Spread a little enchilada sauce over the top, and some cheese. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. (You should get 8 Mexican pizzas.)
    enchilada sauce, 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
    Two side-by-side images: On the left, the top tortilla layer is covered with enchilada or taco sauce and a pile of shredded Mexican cheese. On the right, four assembled pizzas sit on a baking sheet, each topped with sauce and shredded cheese, ready for baking.
  • Bake: Bake on prepared baking sheet for ~8-10 minutes or until cheese is melty and tortillas are crispy. Start Timer
    Baked Mexican pizzas on a parchment-lined baking sheet. The cheese is melted and lightly browned, some bubbling over the crispy edges.
  • Garnish: Add your favorite garnishes, cut into quarters, and enjoy.
    diced tomatoes, green onions, black olives, other optional toppings: sour cream, jalapenos, cilantro, lime wedges, avocado, hot sauce
    A colorful serving tray with fully assembled Mexican pizzas sliced and garnished with diced tomatoes, black olives, green onions, and fresh cilantro. Lime wedges, jalapeños, salsa, and shredded lettuce surround the pizzas for serving.

Video

Notes

  • A lot of grocery stores now sell Taco Bell branded food items such as Taco Bell refried beans, Taco Bell seasoning packets, and Taco Bell hot sauce. Use those items if you have access to them for even more of a Taco Bell copycat Mexican Pizza.
  • If you'd rather not pan-fry your tortillas, check out my tips on how to prepare them in the air fryer or by baking in the oven.
  • You can definitely use corn tortillas instead of flour if that is your preference! You will still want to get them crispy (whether that's by pan frying, air frying, or baking) just like you would with the flour ones.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pizza | Calories: 442kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 681mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 311IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 296mg | Iron: 4mg