Taco Pizza blends Mexican and Italian flavors for a fun, family-friendly dinner. A pizza crust is layered with refried beans, salsa, seasoned beef, and lots of melty cheese, then finished with classic taco toppings. It’s an easy way to shake up Taco Tuesday or pizza night.
Taco Pizza Overview
Taco Pizza takes familiar taco ingredients and turns them into a comforting, shareable pie. The base is pizza dough, topped with a thin layer of refried beans mixed with salsa to act as the “sauce,” then seasoned ground beef, shredded cheddar (or a Mexican cheese blend), and any toppings you love. After a short bake to melt the cheese, finish with fresh tomatoes, sliced green onions, a dollop of sour cream, and taco sauce if desired.
Why You’ll Love It
- Quick to prepare and kid-friendly.
- Customizable—swap toppings to suit picky eaters.
- A fun mash-up that’s perfect for weeknights or casual entertaining.
Notes and Tips
You can use homemade pizza dough or buy premade dough from a bakery or grocery store. Typical dough balls range from 12 to 16 ounces: use a 12″ pan for a thicker crust or a 14″–16″ pan for a thinner crust. A 9×13 pan also works for a flatter, rectangular pizza. For the “sauce,” combine refried beans with a few tablespoons of salsa and spread a thin layer over the crust—use less on a smaller pan and more on larger pans.
If you prefer convenience, some people use crescent roll dough, but pizza dough gives the best texture. For a crispier crust bake on a pizza stone or a perforated pizza pan.
Do You Need a Pizza Oven?
You don’t need a specialized pizza oven to make a great Taco Pizza. A conventional oven works well—preheat to 400°F and bake on a pizza pan or stone for best results. If you do have an outdoor pizza oven you enjoy, feel free to use it, but it’s not required.
Ingredients
- 1 ball pizza dough (12–16 ounces, depending on crust thickness)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 ounce)
- 1 (15 ounce) can refried beans
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- About 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- Toppings: diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, sour cream, taco sauce
Equipment
- Large skillet for browning the beef
- Pizza pan, pizza stone, or 9×13 pan
- Small bowl for mixing beans and salsa
Instructions
- Let the pizza dough rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
- While the dough rests, brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Add the taco seasoning and the water called for on the seasoning packet, then cook according to the packet instructions. Set the seasoned beef aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Press or roll the dough onto a prepared 12-inch pizza pan, pizza stone, or larger pan. Bake the crust for about 8 minutes, then remove from the oven.
- In a small bowl, stir together the refried beans and salsa until combined. Spread a thin layer of the bean mixture over the par-baked crust. (A 12-inch pan may not require all the mixture; use more for larger pans.)
- Top with the seasoned beef, shredded cheese, and olives if using. Return the pizza to the oven and bake about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and top with diced tomatoes and sliced green onions. Add a dollop of sour cream to the center or let everyone add their own, and drizzle taco sauce if desired.
Serving and Variations
Serve Taco Pizza hot, cut into wedges. Offer additional toppings like shredded lettuce, pickled jalapeños, chopped cilantro, or guacamole to let guests customize their slices. For a lighter version, use lean ground turkey or skip the olives and add more fresh vegetables after baking.
Other Pizza Ideas
- Taco Pizza Rolls
- Pizza Rolls
- Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza
- Pizza Stuffed Shells
- Pizza Chili
- Apple Crisp Pizza
- Stuffed Pizza Rolls
- Pizza Monkey Bread
Taco Pizza is an easy, crowd-pleasing mash-up of taco flavors and pizza. It’s versatile, simple to prepare, and perfect for families who enjoy hands-on, customizable meals.
