The Best Mexican Pizza Recipe (Taco Bell Copycat)

If you like Mexican Pizza from the popular fast food chain and are looking for the best way to replicate that menu item at home, look no further! With this recipe you will be able to make the exact dish in your own kitchen for a fraction of the cost.

However if you have never had this type of pizza before, let me explain. It starts with a flat, crispy tortilla covered with refried beans and seasoned ground beef.

It is then topped with another tortilla that’s smothered with Mexican red sauce, a variety of cheese and diced tomatoes. Although not found in traditional Mexican cuisine this dish has become hugely popular in the United States.

Although the fast food restaurant took it off the menu in 2020, it made huge comeback in September 2022. With all the excitement of its return I decided to make it at home to see what all the fuss is about.

And I couldn’t be happier with the results. After a few trials I have replicated the famous dish and ended up with a crunchy and delicious pizza full of flavor.

And although it isn’t a traditional Mexican food item, with Cinco de Mayo right around the corner I thought I would share how to make this delicious (and easy) recipe at home.

What Type of Tortillas For Mexican Pizza

To make Mexican pizza you can use either corn or flour tortillas. Corn tortillas are the traditional choice in classic Mexican cuisine.

The distinct flavor and texture of corn tortillas pairs well refried beans, cheese and enchilada sauce. It is a great choice to use when making individual pizzas as they also tend to be smaller in size.

Flour tortillas, on the other hand, are a good choice if you prefer a milder taste to the crust. They are also larger in size, which makes them ideal for making slightly larger sized pizzas that can be shared with others.

The pizza that you order from the fast food restaurant chain uses flour tortillas as the base and top crust of the pizza.

However, ultimately the choice of tortillas to use for Mexican pizza will depend on your personal preference and dietary restrictions. If you need a gluten free pizza then using corn tortillas would be your option.

However, if you prefer a crust more like the fast food chain, flour tortillas will be the better option.

What Are Refried Beans

Refried beans are a staple in Mexican cuisine and are made from cooked and mashed beans and are the base layer when making Mexican pizza. The most common types of beans used to make refried beans are pinto beans, but black beans and other varieties may also be used.

To make refried beans, the cooked beans are first sautéed in oil or lard, along with other ingredients such as onions, garlic, and spices. The beans are then mashed with a potato masher or a food processor until they are smooth and creamy in texture.

The term refried is actually a misconception, as the beans are not fried twice. The name comes from the Spanish term frijoles refritos, which when directly translated means well fried beans.

The beans are typically served as a side dish or used as a filling for burritos, tacos, and other Mexican dishes. And they are used in this recipe as the base of the pizza.

Not only do they add good flavor, the beans also serve another purpose. The beans also help to hold the ground beef in place as well.

Although you can make Homemade Refried Beans, you can also easily find a can of the beans at the grocery store. Typically the cans of refried beans can be found in the aisle next to dried beans, or in the Mexican or International aisle of some grocery stores.

The Best Mexican Pizza Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• ¾ cup water
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 8 flour tortillas (taco size)
• 15 ounce can refried beans
• 10 ounce can enchilada sauce
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Toppings (optional)

• diced tomatoes
• sliced green onion
• sour cream
• salsa

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING MEXICAN PIZZAS

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet, brown and and crumble the ground beef and drain the excess grease. Return the beef to the skillet.

Add the taco seasoning packet and water and stir. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer until the liquid is absorbed.

In a large clean skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Once the oil is nice and hot add 1 tortilla and cook for 2-3 minutes, flipping several times until it becomes nice and crisp. Place the crispy tortilla on a paper towel to drain. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas.

Add the refried beans to a microwaveable-safe bowl. Once the tortillas are crisp heat the refried beans for 30 seconds – 1 minute or until they are soft enough to spread.

The Best Way To Assemble Mexican Pizza

On 4 tortillas, spread a layer of refried beans on one side. Then transfer each tortilla with the beans on top to a large non stick baking sheet.

If your pan is large enough you may be able to fit all 4 tortillas on the baking sheet. However, you may need to use two baking sheets.

Then evenly divide and top the refried beans with seasoned ground beef. Place a plain tortilla on top of each ground beef layer.

Pour and spread 2 tablespoons of the red enchilada sauce on top. Then sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the sauce. Repeat to form each of the Mexican pizzas.

Place the pizzas in the preheated oven and bake for about 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted. 

Serve warm with toppings as desired.

Other Mexican Inspired Recipes

• 7 Layer Mexican Dip
• Mexican Street Corn
• Mexican Street Corn Casserole
• Pure Mexican Margarita
• Instant Pot Carnitas
• Instant Pot Mexican Rice
• Crock Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
• Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Enjoy! Mary

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