Description
Mexican-inspired Pizza Lovers’ delightful Taco Bell Pizza combines zesty flavors from two beloved cuisines. Crisp tortilla base, spicy ground beef, and melted cheese create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas
- 1 pound (454 g) ground beef
- 1 can (16 oz / 454 g) refried beans, warmed
- 1 ½ cups (6 oz / 170 g) shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ¾ cup (180 ml) water
- ¾ cup (180 ml) taco sauce (or enchilada sauce)
- ½ cup (76 g) diced tomatoes
- Sliced black olives
- Chopped green onions
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef in a skillet until fully cooked, draining excess liquid. Blend taco seasoning with a water splash, reducing to create intense, concentrated flavors.
- Tortilla Foundation: Crisp tortillas by lightly frying in oil until golden and firm, or bake in a preheated oven for a similar crunchy texture. Transfer to paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Layer Assembly: Spread refried beans across the first tortilla, evenly distribute seasoned beef, and top with a second tortilla. Liberally drizzle taco sauce and generously cover with melting cheese.
- Broiling Technique: Position the assembled pizza under the broiler, monitoring closely as cheese bubbles and turns golden. Maintain vigilance to prevent burning, typically requiring 2-3 minutes of intense heat.
- Finishing Touches: Garnish with fresh diced tomatoes, black olives, and green onions. Accompany with cooling sour cream and creamy guacamole to balance the dish’s warm, spicy profile.
Notes
- Manage Meat Moisture: Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent soggy tortillas and ensure a crisp pizza base. Extra liquid can make the tortillas soft and unappetizing.
- Control Cheese Melting: Watch the broiler closely during the final stage. Cheese can quickly burn, so keep the oven door slightly open and rotate the pizza for even, golden browning.
- Customize Tortilla Technique: For a healthier version, bake tortillas instead of frying. Use whole wheat tortillas or low-carb alternatives to adapt to different dietary needs.
- Balance Spice and Cool Toppings: Add fresh toppings like cilantro or jalapeños to enhance flavor complexity. Adjust spice levels by selecting mild or hot taco seasoning based on personal preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg