The Perfect Taco Pizza Recipe: Two Favorites In One Tasty Bite
Crafting a delightful taco pizza blends two beloved culinary worlds into one mouthwatering creation.
Mexican-inspired flavors dance across a crispy crust, promising an exciting meal.
Layers of seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty salsa bring unexpected excitement to traditional pizza.
Crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes add vibrant color and crunch to each slice.
Unexpected combinations make dinner feel like a festive celebration of comfort food.
Spice lovers will appreciate the bold kick of jalapeños scattered across the surface.
You can transform an ordinary evening into a delicious adventure with this simple yet spectacular recipe.
What Makes Taco Pizza A Fun Favorite
What You’ll Use For Taco Pizza
For the Crust:For the Protein:For the Cheese:For the Taco Seasoning:For the Toppings:For the Garnish and Serving:For the Preparation:How To Make Taco Pizza In Simple Steps
Step 1: Fire Up the Oven
Crank the oven to a sizzling 425°F and give your pizza pan or baking sheet a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent any sticky situations.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Toss ground beef into a hot skillet, breaking it down into tiny pieces. Cook until the meat is completely done with zero traces of pink, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Step 3: Season the Meat
Drain off any extra grease from the beef, then sprinkle taco seasoning over the meat. Mix thoroughly so every bit gets coated with zesty flavor.
Step 4: Stretch the Dough
Spread out your pizza dough on the prepared pan, working it to create a thin, even base that reaches all the way to the edges.
Step 5: Create Cheese Base
Generously cover the entire dough surface with a blend of:This creates a gooey, melty foundation for your pizza.
Step 6: Add Seasoned Beef
Distribute the taco-seasoned ground beef evenly across the cheese layer, making sure every slice will have a perfect beef-to-cheese ratio.
Step 7: Load Up Toppings
Sprinkle an exciting mix of toppings across the pizza:Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Slide the pizza into the hot oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. Look for a golden-brown crust and cheese that’s bubbly and slightly crispy.
Step 9: Cool and Set
Pull the pizza out and let it rest for 2-3 minutes. This helps the cheese settle and makes slicing easier.
Step 10: Finish and Serve
Add the final flourishes:Tips To Make Taco Pizza Just Right
Creative Ways To Switch Up Taco Pizza
What To Serve With Taco Pizza
How To Store Taco Pizza For Later
FAQs About Taco Pizza
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a lean alternative that works perfectly in this taco pizza recipe and provides similar robust flavors.
No special equipment is needed. A standard pizza pan, baking sheet, and skillet are all you’ll require to create this delicious meal.
The heat level depends on your jalapeño and taco seasoning choices. You can easily adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer jalapeños or selecting a mild taco seasoning blend.
Replace ground beef with black beans, refried beans, or plant-based meat alternatives to maintain the protein content and taco-inspired flavor profile.
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Taco Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Crispy pizza crusts meet Mexican-inspired flavors in this mouthwatering Taco Pizza, blending classic Italian and Southwestern cuisine. Melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and zesty toppings create a delicious fusion that satisfies cravings and brings exciting new dimensions to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pizza dough
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Toppings:
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced onions
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup jalapeños (optional)
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1/4 cup salsa
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and lightly grease a pizza pan or baking sheet to ensure the pizza doesn’t stick.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles and stirring occasionally until fully cooked and no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the beef and sprinkle taco seasoning over the meat, stirring to coat evenly and infuse robust flavors.
- Roll out the pizza dough on the prepared pan, stretching it to create an even, thin base that reaches the edges.
- Spread a layer of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses across the entire surface of the dough, creating a melty foundation.
- Distribute the seasoned ground beef uniformly over the cheese layer, ensuring even coverage.
- Scatter diced tomatoes, onions, black olives, and jalapeños (if using) across the pizza, creating a vibrant and colorful topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese becomes bubbly and slightly crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to set slightly.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, dollop sour cream in the center, and serve with salsa on the side for an extra flavor kick.
Notes
- Always drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a soggy pizza crust and ensure a crispy base.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or queso fresco for a unique flavor profile.
- Customize toppings by adding black beans, corn, or swapping ground beef with shredded chicken for dietary variations.
- Let the pizza rest briefly after baking to allow cheese to set and prevent burning your mouth when serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Olivia Brooks
Contributing Writer
Expertise
Education
Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique
Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.