Why You’ll Love this Mexican Pizza
There are five irresistible reasons why this Mexican Pizza will become your new favorite weeknight dinner.
First, it’s incredibly versatile—use whatever toppings your family loves.
Second, that crispy corn tortilla base provides the perfect crunch factor that’s missing from regular tacos.
Third, it’s ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for those hectic evenings when cooking feels impossible.
Fourth, kids absolutely devour these, no bribing necessary.
Finally, the layers of flavors—spicy beef, creamy beans, melty cheese, and fresh toppings—create a fiesta in your mouth that beats takeout any day of the week.
What Ingredients are in Mexican Pizza?
Making a delicious Mexican Pizza at home requires simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry or can easily find at any grocery store.
The beauty of this recipe is how it transforms basic taco night components into something that feels completely fresh and fun. The combination of crispy tortillas, savory meat, and fresh toppings creates layers of texture and flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy.
- 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 (6 inch) corn tortillas
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 Roma plum tomatoes, chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies, drained
- 1/2 avocado, diced
- 1 tablespoon black olives, sliced
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters for the best flavor. Look for corn tortillas rather than flour—they crisp up better and provide that authentic Mexican Pizza base.
Feel free to adjust the heat level by choosing mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning depending on your family’s preference.
And don’t skip the fresh toppings like tomatoes and avocado—they provide a bright contrast to the rich meat and beans that makes each bite perfectly balanced.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even substitute ground turkey for the beef or add a sprinkle of queso fresco instead of cheddar.
How to Make this Mexican Pizza
Making Mexican Pizza is wonderfully straightforward, bringing restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen table. Start by heating up 1 can (16 ounces) of refried beans in a small saucepan until they’re warm and spreadable.
Meanwhile, brown 1 pound of ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Once the meat is no longer pink, stir in that 1¼-ounce packet of taco seasoning mix until everything is well combined. The kitchen smells amazing already, doesn’t it?
Now comes the fun part—preparing those corn tortillas. Preheat your oven to 350°F while you add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to a clean skillet over medium heat. When it’s hot, add a corn tortilla and let it fry for about 15 seconds, then flip and fry the other side for another 15 seconds. This quick cooking makes them pliable but sturdy enough to hold all those toppings.
Repeat with all 4 tortillas, letting them drain on paper towels. Once they’ve had a moment to cool slightly, arrange them on a cookie sheet and layer each with those warm refried beans, seasoned beef, and a generous sprinkle from your 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese.
Pop the sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown at the edges.
When your Mexican Pizzas emerge from the oven, all golden and fragrant, slice them into wedges for easier eating—trust me, it’s much more civilized than trying to bite into a whole pizza and wearing half the toppings. For perfectly uniform slices, consider using a KitchenAid processor with its precise cutting attachments.
Arrange the wedges on plates or a serving platter, then comes the crowning glory: garnish with dollops of sour cream (8 tablespoons total), those chopped Roma tomatoes, sliced green onions, drained green chilies, diced avocado, and a few black olive slices.
The contrast between the hot, crispy base and the cool, fresh toppings? Simply divine. And the best part? You can customize each person’s pizza with exactly the toppings they love—no more family dinner negotiations!
For perfectly even chopping of your tomatoes and other toppings, a good premium food processor will save you valuable prep time.
Mexican Pizza Substitutions and Variations
Why limit yourself to the traditional Mexican Pizza recipe when countless delicious variations await? I love swapping ground beef for shredded chicken, turkey, or even plant-based meat for a vegetarian twist.
Don’t have corn tortillas? Flour works perfectly fine.
For cheese lovers, try mixing cheddar with pepper jack or Oaxaca cheese for that stretchy, melty goodness. You can also spice things up with jalapeños instead of green chilies, or cool it down with a cucumber pico de gallo topping.
For a breakfast version, add a fried egg on top. Trust me, that runny yolk creates magic when it breaks.
What to Serve with Mexican Pizza
A perfect Mexican Pizza deserves equally delightful companions on your plate.
I recommend serving it with a crisp Mexican street corn salad—you know, the kind with cotija cheese, lime, and a hint of chili powder.
A simple cilantro lime rice makes an excellent base, soaking up all those delicious flavors that might escape your pizza.
For drinks, nothing beats an ice-cold margarita or horchata. If you’re keeping it non-alcoholic, try agua fresca with fresh fruit.
Need something green? A side salad with avocado, jicama, and a tangy lime dressing ties everything together.
Trust me, these pairings elevate your Mexican Pizza from just a meal to a fiesta.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hosting a casual weeknight dinner or looking for something different on taco Tuesday, this Mexican Pizza recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.
I love how versatile it is—you can easily adjust toppings based on what you have on hand. Can’t find green chiles? No problem, just add extra jalapeños or skip them altogether. For a festive holiday gathering, consider pairing this with a hearty stuffing recipe that combines bread, meats, and classic aromatics for a complete meal experience.
What makes this recipe special is that perfect combination of crispy tortilla, savory beef, and melty cheese. The layers of textures and flavors create something that’s much more exciting than regular pizza or standard tacos.
Trust me, it’ll become a family favorite. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a classic ground beef meatloaf that makes a hearty and satisfying main dish alternative.
