Taco Pizza

Pizza night is a big thing in my house. My husband and I look forward to it every week, and my son does too.

But after eating the same type of pizza every week for a month, we (i.e. me) started to get tired of the same thing over and over again. So I decided to branch out and combine my two favorite things: tacos and pizza!

And this taco pizza was born. Here’s why I love it:

• It’s easy and hassle-free. This recipe can easily be made in under an hour if you use store-bought pizza dough. It’s super simple to make, not complicated, and is a really great dish to add to your dinner rotation to keep meals interesting and fun!
• A great pleasure for the public. My family loves pizza, and this recipe was no exception. My son had 2 slices, which is a big deal! This will definitely remain on the menu for next time. It’s a fun way to change up your usual pizza night or even Taco Tuesday.

ingredients

• Pizza dough: You can use your favorite store-bought pizza dough or make your own from scratch. I really like using homemade pizza dough from Sugar rush. It only requires proofing and uses the basic ingredients I always have in my pantry. It makes a great hand tossed pizza crust and I will definitely use it again!
• Refried beans and red sauce: They act like “pizza sauce” and add creaminess. I recommend using jarred red sauce instead of fresh. Fresh sauce contains much more water and can make the crust too soggy.
• Ground meat and seasonings: I used lean ground beef and seasoned it with my homemade taco seasoning, tomato paste, and a little water.
• Grated cheese: I used a blend of thick cut Monterey Jack and mild cheddar cheese. I recommend using pre-grated cheese in thick pieces or buying a block of cheese and shredding it yourself so it melts well.
• Condiments: Adding seasonings is a must! I used regular taco toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and green onion. Olives and sour cream are also a great addition.

How to prepare pizza with tacos

Prepare the pizza base. Prepare your pizza dough following its specific instructions. I used homemade pizza dough or you can use store-bought dough.

Cook the minced meat. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once heated, add the minced meat and cook by breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned, about 8-10 minutes. Remove excess fat.

Continuing on the heat, add the taco seasoning and stir to combine. Then add the tomato paste and water and stir until the paste is completely dissolved and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.

Preheat the oven and assemble the pizza. Preheat oven to 425°F. Assemble the taco pizza by placing the pizza dough on a 12-inch round baking pan or pizza stone. Depending on the type of pizza dough you use, you may or may not need to pre-cook it.

Spread the refried beans evenly over the pizza dough in one layer. Then, spread the sauce over the refried beans. Add the ground beef mixture on top of the sauce and sprinkle with shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese.

Baking in the middle rack of the oven for 13 to 15 minutes, or as specified in the pizza dough instructions, until the toppings are a light golden brown.

Add seasonings and serve. Once completely cooked, remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, green onions, olives and sour cream. Cut with a pizza cutter and serve.

Serving Tips

I topped my Taco Pizza with traditional taco toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, some green onions, and sour cream. Diced red onions, black olives, chopped cilantro, guacamole, and pickled jalapeños are also great options!

If you want it cheesier and more decadent, add a drizzle of queso blanco on top. Thank me later.

Recipe variations

• Use a different protein. You can easily replace the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even chorizo.
• Use a different cheese. You can use sharp cheddar, pepper jack, mozzarella, or any combination of your favorite shredded cheese you like.
• Want thin pizza? Roll out the dough to fit a 9×13-inch rectangular baking pan. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the ingredients and cooking time accordingly.

• Pizza pan. I used a 12 inch round pizza pan and it worked great! It cooks pizza crust evenly and is a great tool to have in your kitchen.
• pizza cutter. Indispensable for slicing pizza. It is also a great tool for slicing other types of pasta.

Storage and heating

To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

To reheat, place the pizza in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 350°F until heated through and the cheese is bubbling. You can also air fry the pizza at 350°F for 3-4 minutes or place it in the microwave on high for 2 minutes.

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