This Mexican pizza is layered with seasoned taco meat, refried beans, enchilada sauce, and lots of cheese, then loaded with your favorite toppings, so good!
Mexican Pizza Recipe
Are you a fan of Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas? I grew up on them. My mother used to take us to Taco Bell® when we were kids, and they were my favorite.
I've always had a soft spot for them, the tasty Mexican pizza sauce, the layers of refried beans, the crispy shells, the cheese, just so good!
What You'll Love About This Recipe
- This Mexican pizza is loaded with seasoned taco meat, creamy refried beans, zesty enchilada sauce, and lots of melted cheese - it's so good, you'll never need the drive through or takeout again.
- I make mine with with crispy fried corn tortillas, but I also offer lighter alternatives in the Recipe Notes to you can adjust to your taste and dietary needs.
- You can easily personalize each Mexican pizza with any and all of your favorite toppings! Make it you, my friends!
I don't eat fast food very much, but I still love my Mexican pizzas, so now I make them at home and have been for years. And so can you!
These are easy to make with simple ingredients. If you know how to make tacos, you can make these. It's basically a Taco Bell copycat recipe, though easily customizable.
Let's talk about how to make Mexican pizzas, shall we?
Featured Reader Comment
"Made them one night when I had left over taco meat, the best tasting Mexican pizza ever! Better than Taco Bell!!! My husband loves them also. Easy to make and quick weekday dinner. I didn't change a thing." -- Sharon
Mexican Pizza Ingredients
The full ingredients list with measurements is listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- FOR THE TORTILLAS
- Corn Tortillas. You can use flour tortillas as well.
- Oil. For frying.
- FOR THE MEXICAN PIZZAS
- Refried Beans. Try my homemade refried beans recipe, or use your favorite brand.
- Vegetable Oil.
- Ground Beef. You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version.
- Taco Seasoning.
- Enchilada Sauce. Try my homemade enchilada sauce recipe, or this taco sauce recipe, or use your favorite brand.
- Cheddar Cheese. Or use your favorite 3-cheese blend of melty cheeses, like pepper jack, Monterrey jack, Colby, mozzarella, or others.
- Toppings. Diced tomato, sliced black olives, green onion, hot sauce, or use your favorites!
- Salt to taste
How to Make Mexican Pizzas - the Recipe Method
First, lightly fry the corn tortillas (or flour tortillas) in oil over medium heat a couple minutes per side, until they turn golden and crispy.
Hit them with some salt and drain them of excess oil in paper towels.
You can also use store bought tostada shells.
Next, cook the ground beef and simmer it with taco seasonings.
To assembly the Mexican pizzas, spread enchilada sauce, refried beans, and seasoned ground beef over 8 tortillas. Then, top the with the remaining tortillas, extra enchilada sauce, and shredded cheese.
Preheat oven, bake them until the cheese is melted, then add your favorite Mexican pizza toppings. These are more like Mexican pizzas from Taco Bell, topped with chopped tomato, though I enjoy black olives and green onions, too.
Don't forget the hot sauce! Use a bit of sour cream to quell any spiciness.
Boom! Done! Your Mexican pizzas are ready to serve. These are so good! A lot like the Taco Bell version. Nice and cheesy, with lots of taco meat and refried beans. I can eat these any day of the week.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- If you prefer to avoid frying, you can air fry the tortillas (corn or flour) in an air fryer with a light coating of spray oil for 6-8 minutes, or bake them at 350 degrees F (175 C) on a baking sheet for 6-8 minutes, until golden. Flip them once if needed to cook more evenly.
- All of the ingredient amounts are adjustable, so if you want more taco meat or cheese, go for it. This recipe is very forgiving.
Storage & Leftovers
Leftover Mexican pizzas will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. They are much better fresh out of the oven, but can be reheated gently in the oven.
It is better to store leftover ingredients individually so you can assemble more Mexican pizzas later in the week.
I do not recommend freezing them as freezing can affect the texture.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this Mexican pizza recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Have fun!
Cookbook Recommendation
If you enjoy spicy cooking, I hope you'll check out my cookbook! 75 easy recipes with big, bold flavor.
- The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook, by Mike Hultquist (affiliate link, my friends!)
Amazon Affiliate links, my friends! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Mexican Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
FOR THE TORTILLAS
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (Use 1-2 tablespoons for a lighter fry)
- 16 corn tortillas (6-inch)
FOR THE MEXICAN PIZZAS
- 2 cups refried beans warmed (16 ounce can)
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 cups enchilada sauce (or use taco sauce)
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
- Toppings: Diced tomato, sliced black olives, green onion, hot sauce
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- To make the crispy tortillas, heat the vegetable oil in a pan to medium heat. Add the tortillas, 1-2 at a time, and lightly fry each side 2-3 minutes, or until the corn tortillas turn golden brown and begin to crisp up.
- Set onto paper towels to drain excess oil. Season lightly with salt.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
- Next, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan to medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, 6-7 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Stir in the taco seasoning along with 1/4 cup water. Simmer 10 minutes to let the flavors develop.
- Assemble your Mexican pizzas by setting 8 tortilla shells on a baking sheet.
- Top each with enchilada sauce, refried beans, and taco meat.
- Layer them with the remaining crispy tortillas, then add more enchilada sauce and shredded cheese
- Bake the pizzas for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Top with your favorite toppings and serve.
Video
Notes
- Instead of frying the tortillas, you can lightly coat the with oil and air fry them 6-8 minutes, or until crispy.
- You can also use only 1-2 tablespoon vegetable oil for lighter pan frying. Simply heat the oil in the pan, then add the tortillas and cook 1-2 minutes per side, or until they turn golden and crispy.
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 4/4/25 to include new information, photos, and video. It was originally published on 3/1/24.
Darlene says
I was craving Mexican Pizza but didn’t want TB. So Pinterest to the rescue!! My third time making this recipe. You should see my husbands eyes light up when I mention making these. They are awesome. Perfect recipe!! The only thing I changed was to air fry the tortillas
Mike H. says
I am happy you guys have enjoyed it! Thank you =)
Victoria says
I made this tonight and we loved it! I substituted my homemade refried black beans.
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome! Thanks, Victoria!
Meg says
I didn't see the note about sour cream. otherwise, I LOVE the recipre. I used large flour tortillas. I only assembled 2 pizzas. I put all the leftovers in cintainers and will cook the tortillas when I'm ready. What size tortillas do you use?
Mike Hultquist says
Great! Thanks, Meg. I used 6-inch corn tortillas for mine. Glad you love the recipe!
Rick G says
Another amazing recipe. Mike you knocked it out of the park with the Mexican pizza. A few added variations for me like Jalapeños in the refried beans. Spicy hot enchilada sauce and taco seasoning made it just right. Keep those awesome Mexican and Cajun recipes coming.
Mike Hultquist says
I love to hear it! Thanks, Rick!
Nancy Jalowitz says
Great recipe I have made it before with flour tortillas and it was delicious.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Nancy!
Gloria says
Dude!! Received this recipe in my email this morning at 10:22. Just finished making it [it's 1:30],wanted to try it before the Super Bowl to make sure everything goes smoothly. It was easy to make and it's freaking delish! So good. I'll prob make the nachos and the wings from that email, too. Thanks, Mike. Your recipes NEVER disappoint.
Mike Hultquist says
BOOM!! Nice! I love to hear it, Gloria. Glad to help! I hope you love the other dishes, too! =)
Jérémie says
I didn't know about Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas, so this was a real discovery: very interesting and delicious recipe!
A great way to use all these classic ingredients differently!
Thanks for this great discovery, Mike!
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Jérémie! These are much better, believe me. Glad you liked it!
Akdon says
How many tortillas can you put in the air fryer at once?
Mike H. says
Akdon, really depends on the air fryer size - from 1 in a small one to 2-3 in a big one.
Peg says
Great recipe, Mike!
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Peg! Glad you like it!