If you are craving a dish that combines the best of Tex-Mex flavors with the comforting familiarity of pizza, this Mexican Pizza Recipe is exactly what you need. It layers a crispy tortilla base with seasoned ground beef or chicken, melty cheeses, and vibrant toppings like diced tomatoes, olives, and green onions. Every bite bursts with a wonderful medley of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for seconds. Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a fun weekend treat, this Mexican Pizza Recipe delivers on flavor and satisfaction like no other.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Mexican Pizza Recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that work beautifully together. Each component plays a crucial role — from the crispy tortillas giving structure, to the perfectly seasoned meat providing rich flavor, and the array of colorful toppings adding freshness and texture.
- Flour tortillas (8-inch): These serve as your crispy pizza crust, easy to crisp up for crunch and support all the toppings.
- Ground beef (or chicken): The hearty protein base that gets flavored with robust taco seasoning for authentic taste.
- Taco seasoning packet: Brings that signature Mexican flavor blend with spices like cumin and chili powder.
- Water (1/2 cup): Helps the taco seasoning blend evenly with the meat, keeping it juicy and flavorful.
- Refried beans (optional): Adds creamy texture and depth, making the topping layer even richer.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for a gooey, stretchy cheese pull.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Offers sharpness and vibrant color contrast to the mozzarella.
- Small onion, diced: Adds subtle sweetness and crunch once cooked into the beef mixture.
- Diced tomatoes (1/2 cup): Freshness in every bite, brightening up the richness.
- Sliced black olives (1/2 cup): Brings a slightly briny, savory note balancing the other ingredients.
- Chopped green onions (1/2 cup): Provides a mild onion flavor and pop of color on top.
- Sour cream (for topping): A cool, creamy finish that complements the warm spices perfectly.
- Salsa (for topping): Adds a zesty kick and moisture to each bite.
- Jalapeños (optional): For those who like a spicy heat burst to elevate the flavors.
- Fresh cilantro (optional): Just a sprinkle on top to add herbal brightness and fragrance.
How to Make Mexican Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Meat Mixture
Start by browning your ground beef or chicken in a skillet over medium heat. Break up the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Once no longer pink, add the taco seasoning packet along with 1/2 cup water. Stir everything together and let simmer until the liquid reduces and the meat is fully coated with that wonderful spicy seasoning. If you’re using diced onions, toss them in at this point to soften slightly and absorb those bold flavors.
Step 2: Assemble the Pizza Base
Place your flour tortillas on baking sheets or oven-safe trays. If you like a thicker, creamier base, spread a generous layer of refried beans on each tortilla. This creates a delicious foundation that also helps hold the toppings in place.
Step 3: Layer the Toppings
Next, evenly spoon the seasoned meat mixture onto the tortillas over the beans or directly on the tortillas if you skipped the beans. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top for that irresistible melted cheese goodness. Follow with diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and chopped green onions to add freshness and texture.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Melty
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pop the assembled pizzas into the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and slightly golden around the edges, and the tortilla is crispy. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!
How to Serve Mexican Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Once out of the oven, dollop on sour cream to cool down the heat and add creaminess. Spoon fresh salsa over the top or serve it on the side for dipping. For an extra kick, scatter sliced jalapeños and sprinkle fresh cilantro leaves to brighten every bite with herby notes.
Side Dishes
This Mexican Pizza Recipe pairs wonderfully with classic sides like Spanish rice, a fresh avocado salad, or crunchy tortilla chips with guacamole. These sides complement the pizza’s bold flavors while adding variety to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the Mexican pizzas as individual personal sizes for a fun, casual vibe or cut into wedges for a shared appetizer style. You can even turn it into a vibrant party platter by arranging slices with different toppings on a large board accompanied by bowls of salsa, sour cream, and jalapeños for dipping.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover Mexican pizza slices tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days to keep the flavors fresh and the tortilla crispy.
Freezing
You can freeze individual slices by placing them on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Freeze before adding sour cream or fresh garnishes to maintain best texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat or in a toaster oven to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the tortilla from getting soggy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken instead of ground beef in this Mexican Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! Ground chicken works beautifully in this recipe and offers a lighter alternative without sacrificing flavor. Just cook and season it the same way as the beef for delicious results.
Is it necessary to use refried beans?
Refried beans add creaminess and help bind the toppings, but they are optional. You can skip them or substitute with black bean spread if you prefer.
What if I don’t have taco seasoning packet?
No worries! You can make your own by mixing chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. It’s fun to customize the spice level to your liking.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, simply swap the meat with cooked lentils, diced mushrooms, or a mix of beans for a satisfying vegetarian version of this Mexican Pizza Recipe.
How spicy does this pizza get?
The spice level mainly depends on the taco seasoning and if you add jalapeños. You can control the heat by adjusting these and serving salsa mild or spicy as you prefer.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have this wonderfully flavorful Mexican Pizza Recipe in your culinary toolkit, I encourage you to experiment and make it your own. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy beloved Mexican-inspired flavors with the fun and comfort of pizza any night of the week. Gather your ingredients, invite some friends, and get ready for a deliciously satisfying meal that is sure to become a new favorite!
Print
Mexican Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 large pizzas (serves 4-6)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Mexican Pizza recipe combines crispy flour tortillas topped with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, and fresh veggies. It’s a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a casual dinner or game day, served with traditional toppings like sour cream, salsa, jalapeños, and cilantro.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 flour tortillas (8-inch)
- 1 lb ground beef (or chicken, if preferred)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade seasoning)
- 1/2 cup water (for taco seasoning)
- 1 cup refried beans (optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
Toppings
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Salsa
- Jalapeños (optional)
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or chicken until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Add the taco seasoning along with 1/2 cup water, stirring well. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat evenly.
- Assemble the Base: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the flour tortillas on a baking sheet. Spread a layer of refried beans evenly on each tortilla if using, which adds creaminess and helps hold toppings in place.
- Add Meat and Veggies: Evenly distribute the seasoned meat over the tortillas. Sprinkle diced onions, tomatoes, black olives, and green onions on top of the meat for fresh flavor and texture.
- Cheese Layer: Generously cover each tortilla with a mix of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. This blend ensures great melt and a flavorful topping.
- Bake the Pizza: Bake the assembled pizzas in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown at the edges. This creates a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizzas from the oven and let cool for a couple of minutes. Top with sour cream, salsa, jalapeños if desired, and fresh cilantro for an authentic finish. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground chicken or turkey for a leaner option.
- Refried beans are optional but add extra flavor and texture to the pizza base.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños depending on your heat preference.
- Use homemade taco seasoning for a fresher taste and control over salt content.
- Ensure tortillas are firm enough to hold toppings without becoming soggy by baking immediately after assembly.
