If you love Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza, you’re going to love making this homemade version! This Homemade Mexican Pizza is made with crispy golden flour tortillas layered with creamy refried beans, perfectly seasoned ground beef, flavorful enchilada sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. It’s finished with fresh diced tomatoes and green onions for a delicious meal the whole family can enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Mexican Pizza
- Crispy and cheesy: Golden fried tortillas give every bite that satisfying crunch, while two kinds of cheese melt together beautifully.
- Packed with flavor: Seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and enchilada sauce create delicious layers of flavor.
- Easy to customize: Add your favorite toppings, adjust the seasoning, or use store-bought taco seasoning to save time.
- Better than takeout: Enjoy a fresh, homemade version of the popular Taco Bell Mexican Pizza without leaving your kitchen.
- Family-friendly: This recipe makes three generously sized Mexican pizzas, perfect for sharing or serving as a satisfying dinner.
Watch How to Make This Recipe
Watch how to make this step-by-step in the video above.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This homemade Mexican pizza recipe uses everyday ingredients that come together to create something delicious.
For the Mexican Pizza
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef: The hearty, flavorful filling for the pizzas.
- ½ yellow onion, diced: Adds flavor to the seasoned ground beef.
- 6 flour tortillas: Fried until golden and crispy to create the pizza layers.
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded: Adds a rich, cheesy flavor.
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded: Melts beautifully and creates a delicious cheesy topping.
- 1 (16-ounce) can refried beans: Creates a creamy layer between the crispy tortillas and seasoned beef.
- 1 (19-ounce) can enchilada sauce: Adds moisture and flavor to each pizza.
- 3 green onions, chopped: Adds fresh onion flavor and color.
- 3 tomatoes, diced: Adds freshness to the finished pizzas.
- Oil for frying: Used to make the tortillas golden and crispy.
- Sour cream, optional: Perfect for serving on the side.
- Sliced black olives, optional: A delicious additional topping.
For the Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1¼ teaspoons salt
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup water
This homemade taco seasoning blend is designed to season 1½ pounds of ground beef.
Shortcut: Don’t feel like making homemade taco seasoning? You can substitute store-bought Taco Bell taco seasoning mix or your favorite taco seasoning. Follow the package directions for the amount needed to season 1½ pounds of ground beef, including any recommended water.
How to Make Homemade Mexican Pizza
Making Mexican pizza at home is easier than you might think! Follow these simple steps to create crispy, cheesy pizzas loaded with flavor.
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables and Cheese
Start by preparing all your fresh ingredients.
Dice the yellow onion and tomatoes, chop the green onions, and shred the sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
Place everything in separate bowls and set aside. Having your ingredients prepared ahead of time will make assembling the Mexican pizzas much easier.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the lean ground beef and diced yellow onion. Cook, breaking the beef apart with a spoon or spatula, until the meat is completely browned, the onion has softened, and no pink remains.
Carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Step 3: Season the Ground Beef
In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, flour, cumin, salt, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, and paprika.
Stir until all the seasonings are evenly combined.
Sprinkle the homemade taco seasoning over the browned ground beef. Pour in 1 cup of water and stir well to distribute the seasonings throughout the meat.
Reduce the heat to low and allow the ground beef to simmer for approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and the beef is coated in a flavorful, slightly thickened sauce.
If you prefer, substitute store-bought Taco Bell taco seasoning and prepare according to the package directions.
Step 4: Fry the Flour Tortillas
Add enough cooking oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet.
Heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot.
Carefully place one flour tortilla into the skillet and fry until the bottom is golden brown and crispy. Flip the tortilla and fry the other side until equally golden.
Remove the fried tortilla and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain excess oil.
Repeat until all six tortillas are fried.
Tip: Make sure the tortillas are crispy enough to support the fillings. Soft tortillas may become soggy once the beans, meat, and sauce are added.
Step 5: Heat the Refried Beans
Add the canned refried beans to a saucepan over medium-low heat.
Stir frequently until the beans are heated through, smooth, and creamy.
If the beans seem too thick to spread easily, add a small splash of water and stir until they reach your desired consistency.
Remove from the heat and set aside.
Step 6: Assemble the Mexican Pizzas
Now comes the fun part!
Place one crispy fried tortilla onto a baking sheet.
Spread a generous, even layer of warm refried beans over the tortilla, covering almost the entire surface.
Next, spoon a layer of seasoned ground beef over the refried beans.
Add a thin layer of enchilada sauce, followed by a layer of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
Carefully place a second crispy tortilla on top, creating a layered sandwich.
Spread another layer of enchilada sauce over the top tortilla.
Sprinkle generously with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, then finish with diced tomatoes and chopped green onions.
Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and fillings to make three Mexican pizzas.
Step 7: Bake Until the Cheese Is Melted
Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
Place the assembled Mexican pizzas on a baking sheet and transfer them to the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and the pizzas are heated through.
Keep an eye on the pizzas during the final few minutes to prevent the edges of the tortillas from becoming too dark.
Step 8: Slice and Serve
Carefully remove the Mexican pizzas from the oven and allow them to rest for 1–2 minutes.
Using a pizza cutter, slice each Mexican pizza into four pieces.
Serve warm with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream or sliced black olives.
Enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Homemade Mexican Pizza
1. Fry the tortillas until crispy.
One of the secrets to a great Mexican pizza is the crispy tortilla layers. Make sure both sides are golden brown before removing them from the skillet.
2. Drain excess grease from the ground beef.
Removing excess grease helps prevent the filling from becoming oily and keeps the tortillas from getting soggy.
3. Don’t add too much enchilada sauce.
A thin layer of sauce is all you need between the tortillas. Too much sauce can soften the crispy shells. You can be a little more generous with the sauce on top.
4. Shred your own cheese when possible.
Freshly shredded cheese generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking ingredients.
5. Keep the refried beans warm.
Warm refried beans are much easier to spread over the crispy tortillas without breaking them.
6. Assemble just before baking.
For the crispiest results, wait until you’re ready to bake before layering the tortillas with beans, meat, and sauce.
7. Adjust the toppings to your liking.
Feel free to add extra tomatoes, green onions, sour cream, black olives, or your other favorite taco toppings.
Easy Variations and Substitutions
One of the best things about making Mexican pizza at home is how easy it is to customize.
Use store-bought taco seasoning: If you’re short on time, use Taco Bell taco seasoning or another favorite taco seasoning blend instead of making your own.
Try different cheeses: A Mexican-style shredded cheese blend, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack would also work well.
Make it spicy: Add extra cayenne pepper to the homemade seasoning, use a spicy enchilada sauce, or top your pizza with sliced jalapeños.
Use ground turkey: Substitute lean ground turkey for the ground beef if preferred. Cook it thoroughly before adding the seasonings.
Add extra toppings: Black olives, diced jalapeños, sour cream, and additional green onions all make delicious additions.
What to Serve With Mexican Pizza
Homemade Mexican pizza is filling enough to enjoy on its own, but it also pairs well with several delicious side dishes.
- Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice
- Chips with salsa or homemade guacamole
- A fresh green salad
- Corn salad
- Extra refried beans
For a fun family dinner, set out bowls of your favorite toppings and let everyone customize their own Mexican pizza.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Mexican Pizza
Refrigerating
Allow leftover Mexican pizza to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Keep in mind that the tortillas will soften as they absorb moisture from the beans, meat, and sauce.
Reheating in the Oven
For the best texture, preheat your oven to 350°F.
Place the leftover Mexican pizza on a baking sheet and heat for approximately 8–12 minutes, or until heated through.
The oven helps restore some of the crispiness to the tortillas.
Reheating in the Air Fryer
Place the leftover Mexican pizza in an air fryer at 350°F for approximately 3–5 minutes, or until heated through.
Check frequently to prevent the tortilla edges from burning.
Can You Freeze Mexican Pizza?
You can freeze assembled Mexican pizzas, although the texture may change once thawed and reheated.
For better results, freeze the cooked, seasoned ground beef separately and prepare fresh tortillas when you’re ready to make another batch.
The seasoned ground beef can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months for best quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Mexican pizza the same as Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza?
This recipe is inspired by the popular Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, but it’s a homemade version with its own seasoning blend, generous layers of seasoned beef, creamy refried beans, enchilada sauce, and two kinds of cheese.
It isn’t an exact copycat recipe, but it delivers those familiar crispy, cheesy, savory flavors.
Can I use Taco Bell taco seasoning instead of homemade seasoning?
Absolutely! You can use store-bought Taco Bell taco seasoning or another favorite taco seasoning mix.
Simply follow the package directions and use the amount recommended for 1½ pounds of ground beef.
Do I have to fry the tortillas?
Frying the flour tortillas gives this recipe its signature crispy texture.
You can bake or air-fry the tortillas as an alternative, but the texture may be slightly different.
Can I make Mexican pizza ahead of time?
You can prepare the seasoned ground beef, shred the cheese, and chop the vegetables ahead of time.
For the best results, fry the tortillas and assemble the pizzas shortly before baking so they stay crispy.
Homemade Mexican Pizza (Better Than Taco Bell!)
Ingredients
Method
- Dice the yellow onion and tomatoes, chop the green onions, and shred the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Set aside.
- Brown the ground beef.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced yellow onion until the meat is fully browned and the onion has softened. Break the meat apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
- In a small bowl, combine chili powder, flour, cumin, salt, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, and paprika. Mix well.
- Season and simmer the beef.
- Add the homemade seasoning blend to the browned ground beef along with 1 cup of water. Stir until combined. Reduce heat to low and simmer for approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Alternatively, use store-bought taco seasoning according to package directions.
- Add enough oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Fry each flour tortilla on both sides until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels or a wire rack. Repeat with all six tortillas.
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the refried beans until creamy and easy to spread, stirring frequently. Add a small splash of water if needed.
- Place one fried tortilla on a baking sheet. Spread with refried beans, followed by seasoned ground beef, a thin layer of enchilada sauce, and shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Top with a second fried tortilla.
- Add the toppings.
- Spread enchilada sauce over the top tortilla. Sprinkle with additional cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped green onions. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and ingredients to make three pizzas.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake the assembled Mexican pizzas for approximately 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pizzas are heated through.
- Slice and serve.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 1–2 minutes. Slice each pizza into four pieces using a pizza cutter. Serve warm with optional sour cream or sliced black olives.
Video
Notes
- Homemade taco seasoning: This seasoning blend is designed for 1½ pounds of ground beef.
- Store-bought seasoning: You may substitute Taco Bell taco seasoning or another store-bought taco seasoning. Follow package directions for the correct amount of seasoning and water.
- Extra ingredients: Depending on how much filling you use, you may have leftover ground beef, refried beans, enchilada sauce, or cheese. Feel free to make additional pizzas with extra tortillas.
- Crispy tortillas: Fry the tortillas until golden and crisp on both sides to help prevent sogginess.
- Enchilada sauce: Use a thin layer between the tortillas to avoid making the bottom layer too soft.
- Cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar and mozzarella melt beautifully.
- Optional toppings: Sour cream, black olives, jalapeños, or additional diced tomatoes and green onions.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven for approximately 8–12 minutes or until heated through.
More Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this delicious recipe, here are a few more easy recipes you might love:
Did you make this Mexican pizza? Leave a star rating below!