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Miss Taco Bell Mexican pizza? This copycat tastes just like the fast-food fave, with layers of crunchy tortilla, beans, seasoned beef, tangy sauce, and plenty of cheese. A dead ringer for the Taco Bell retiree, this recipe is also naturally healthier and easy to make vegetarian, too.
What Makes This Recipe So Good
Taco Bell has always been a late-night staple, although not so much now that I have kids. Their Mexican pizza was always a favorite, with layers of crunchy, crispy tortillas covered in rich refried beans, tangy sauce, and tons of melted cheese. When I heard they were retiring it from their menu (no!), I decided it was way past time to make my own version. This Taco Bell Mexican pizza recipe tastes so much like the original I was nostalgic for, plus it’s healthier! Now if I get the late-night cravings (just not so late), I can whip up a batch of these. I might even let the kids have some!
Key Ingredients
Taco seasoning – A half a packet of taco seasoning gives the beef in this recipe tons of delicious Mexican flavor.
Enchilada sauce – Tomato-y, tangy, and full of seasonings like chili powder and oregano, even a store-bought jar of this gives your Mexican pizza that authentic Taco Bell taste.
Salsa — This addition to the enchilada sauce makes it more than a sauce but less than a salsa. The perfect combo for topping your Mexican pizza!
Chef’s Tips
- To make vegetarian Mexican pizzas, just leave out the beef!
- You can top this pizza however you like, with things sour cream, sliced jalapeños, or guacamole. I like it Taco Bell style with some diced tomatoes!
More Delicious Mexican Recipes
- Shrimp Fajitas
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Healthy Mexican Chicken Meal Prep (Whole30, Paleo, Keto)
- Mexican Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (Whole30, Paleo, Instant Pot)
- 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Mexican Tortilla Wrap Hack (TikTok Hack)
- Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
- Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Mexican Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing
- Green Chile Chorizo and Chicken Mexican Casserole
Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Ingredients
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ packet taco seasoning about 1-2 tablespoons
- ⅓ cup water
- spray oil
- 8 flour tortillas 6”, taco size
- 1 16-ounce can refried beans
- 1 cup red enchilada sauce
- ⅓ cup red salsa
- 1 8-ounce bag shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 tomato diced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F. Spray tortillas with spray oil on both sides. Sprinkle with salt, prick with a fork, and place on baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, then flip over. Bake until golden brown, about 3-5 more minutes. Remove from oven. Set aside to cool.
- Increase heat to 400° F.
- Stir together enchilada sauce and salsa. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown and and crumble the ground beef. Sprinkle taco seasoning over, then add water and stir. Bring to a boil then reduce heat. Simmer until thickened.
- Meanwhile, heat up the refried beans in a microwave-safe bowl. (This will make it easier to spread the beans onto the tortilla shells.) Slather a generous layer of refried beans on each tortilla, then top with seasoned ground beef.
- Place another tortilla on top. Slather about two tablespoons of enchilada sauce mixture on top, then sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of the sauce. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas.
- Place the pizzas on a large nonstick baking sheet and bake for about 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Video
- Vegetarian: Leave out the beef
- Topping suggestions: Sour cream, sliced jalapeños, guacamole, or Taco Bell style with some diced tomatoes
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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Does anyone know how you could do these tortillas in the air fryer without burning them? I feel like that might even take it next level… 🤔💭💡😋
You ca definitely make these in the air fryer! Just do so on a lower temp, like 325. Make sure to spray the basket with nonstick spray, and only cook for a few minutes, checking and running a spatula underneath. But since you can’t flip it, be aware it may not be as crispy on top. Worth a try, though! Let us know how it turns out!
What kind of red salsa do you use?
Really just whatever looks good depending on which store I’m at! Organic, if possible, and sugar-free.
Amazing recipe and so spot on to Taco Bell! I did something wrong because the top layer got too chewy…like hard to bite into chewy. I thought maybe I added too much sauce??? Didn’t effect the taste though and the bottom layer was surprisingly crispy. Many thanks!!
Were they crispy enough beforehand?
This is the real deal. Yummy .
I used Siete tortillas because I am gluten free. It tasted exactly like Taco Bell’s and I topped it off with some sour cream and mild Taco Bell sauce
Yay! We are glad you enjoyed it, Karen. 🙂
How do you keep the shells crispy. Mine got really soft.
You can try baking them until they’re quite crispy before layering! Also, make sure you don’t overbake them after they are layered. Otherwise, they won’t really stay super super crispy after baking. There will be a bit of give just like Taco Bell’s, but they should not be mushy.
Can it be done with corn tortillas?
Yes, absolutely. 🙂
Taco bell uses corn tostadas (at least they used to). The corn flavor and crispy texture make these taste more like Mexican pizzas and not like baked burritos. Thanks for the recipe, though.
Actually Taco Bell’s Mexican pizzas used fried flour tortillas. I worked as a training manager for TB in the 90’s and this recipe is just about spot on. The pizzas also had diced tomatoes on top of the cheese and green onions initially then were revamped and the green onions were eliminated.
I always wondered what wine went with a Taco Bell Mexican Pizza. Now I know.
Lemme tell you, some real scientific, chemistry-esque work was put into those wine pairings. 😂
I cannot BELIEVE how much this tasted like the real deal. I’ve been looking for a good Taco Bell Mexican Pizza recipe since they announced they were retiring it, and this totally hit the spot. Thanks so much!
I made this and it was so good. Really tasted a lot like Taco Bell!!
I’m so glad you liked it ❤️