Description

This Taco Bell Mexican Pizza recipe recreates the iconic fast-food favorite at home with crispy fried tortillas layered with refried beans, seasoned ground beef, enchilada sauce, and melted Mexican cheese, topped with fresh tomatoes, olives, and green onions. Perfect for a comforting Tex-Mex main course that combines stovetop cooking and oven baking for the ideal crispy, cheesy finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

1 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning mix
½ cup water

Tortillas and Beans

8 small flour tortillas
1 can (15 ounces) refried beans

Sauces and Toppings

1 cup red enchilada sauce or mild taco sauce
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
½ cup diced tomatoes
¼ cup sliced black olives (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped green onions

Other

Vegetable oil for frying

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Instructions

Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef while breaking it up with a spoon. Once cooked, drain excess fat. Add taco seasoning and water, then simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
Fry the Tortillas: Heat a thin layer of vegetable oil in a separate skillet over medium-high heat. Fry each tortilla for about 1 minute per side, or until they turn golden and crispy. Drain the fried tortillas on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay out four fried tortillas and spread a layer of refried beans evenly over each.
Assemble the Mexican Pizzas: Top the bean-spread tortillas with the seasoned ground beef, then cover each with another fried tortilla to create a ‘pizza’ base.
Add Sauce and Toppings: Spread about 2 tablespoons of enchilada or taco sauce on the top tortilla of each pizza. Sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese, diced tomatoes, black olives (if using), and green onions over the sauce.
Bake: Place the assembled pizzas on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
Serve: Allow the pizzas to cool slightly before slicing into wedges and serving warm.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use extra refried beans or a plant-based meat substitute.
You can save time by using store-bought tostada shells instead of frying your own tortillas.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-American