🌮 Taco Bell–Style Mexican Pizza (Copycat)
Crunchy tortillas, seasoned beef, melty cheese, and that iconic sauce. Nostalgia unlocked.
⏱ Time
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: ~30 minutes
🍽 Serves
4 pizzas (or 2 very hungry people)
🧀 Ingredients
Base
8 small flour tortillas (street-size or fajita size)
Vegetable or canola oil (for frying)
Taco Meat
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
¼ cup water
½ cup refried beans (smooth style = authentic)
Mexican Pizza Sauce (VERY important)
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
1 tsp sugar
Salt to taste
Cheese & Toppings
1½ cups shredded mozzarella (Taco Bell uses mozz, not cheddar!)
½ cup shredded Mexican blend (optional)
Diced tomatoes
Sliced green onions
Black olives (optional but classic)
🔥 Instructions
1. Make the sauce
Combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan.
Simmer on low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Set aside.
2. Cook the taco meat
Brown ground beef in a skillet.
Drain excess grease.
Add taco seasoning + water.
Simmer 5 minutes until thick.
Stir in refried beans and mix until smooth.
3. Fry the tortillas
Heat oil to medium.
Fry tortillas one at a time for 30–45 seconds per side.
They should be crispy but not rock hard.
Drain on paper towels.
4. Assemble the pizzas
Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
Place one tortilla on a baking sheet.
Spread a thin layer of seasoned meat.
Sprinkle cheese.
Top with second tortilla.
Spread Mexican pizza sauce on top.
Add more cheese.
5. Bake
Bake for 8–10 minutes, until cheese melts.
6. Finish & serve
Add tomatoes, green onions, and olives.
Slice into quarters like Taco Bell does.
❓ Q & A (Mexican Pizza Edition)
Q: Why mozzarella cheese?
A:
Taco Bell uses low-moisture mozzarella for that smooth, stretchy melt. Cheddar alone won’t taste right.
Q: Can I bake the tortillas instead of frying?
A:
Yes, but frying = authentic crunch.
If baking:
Brush tortillas with oil
Bake at 400°F for 5–7 minutes per side
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
A:
Absolutely:
Swap beef for seasoned black beans or lentils
Keep refried beans
Everything else stays the same
Q: Can I use corn tortillas?
A:
You can, but flour tortillas are closer to Taco Bell’s texture and flavor.
Q: How close is this to the real thing?
A:
Dangerously close. The sauce + mozzarella combo is the key 🔥
Q: Can I make it spicy?
A:
Yes 😈
Try:
Jalapeños
Hot taco seasoning
Chipotle powder in the sauce
Fire sauce drizzle at the end
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A:
Best fresh
Store components separately
Reheat assembled pizza in oven or air fryer (not microwave)
