The Ultimate Homemade Taco Pizza Recipe: A Family-Favorite Fusion Feast
Taco Pizza – a wonderfully unique and incredibly easy pizza recipe that brings all the beloved flavors of taco night to your dinner table! This exciting fusion dish is sure to become a fun and flavorful favorite for the entire family.
During my years living in Iowa, I discovered a culinary delight that instantly captured my heart: Happy Joe’s Taco Pizza. It was a revelation! While some in my family might argue that “taco pizza isn’t really pizza,” I wholeheartedly disagree. For me, it’s a brilliant mashup of two of the best comfort foods, and honestly, anything with Mexican-inspired flavors usually wins me over.
I’ve always been an enthusiast for unconventional pizzas. Beyond this incredible taco pizza, another personal favorite is my Roasted Garlic, Chicken & Herb White Pizza, which offers a completely different, yet equally delicious, experience.
Crafting Your Own Happy Joe’s Inspired Taco Pizza at Home
Today, I’m thrilled to share my homemade version of the iconic Happy Joe’s taco pizza! This recipe features a robust base of seasoned refried beans and zesty taco sauce, piled high with savory taco meat, a generous blend of melted cheeses, and, of course, a fresh, crunchy crown of crisp lettuce, juicy diced tomatoes, and irresistible crushed tortilla chips. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that truly can’t be beat.
What sets this taco pizza apart from a traditional pizza is its distinctive “sauce.” Instead of marinara or a creamy white sauce, we create a flavorful foundation by mixing refried beans with taco sauce. This blend not only infuses the pizza with authentic taco flavor but also thins the beans just enough to spread smoothly over the pizza crust, ensuring every bite is rich and satisfying. It’s this unique base that truly defines the taco pizza experience.
Essential Tips for the Best Homemade Taco Pizza
Achieving restaurant-quality pizza at home, even with a creative twist like taco pizza, is easier than you think. Here are some indispensable tips to ensure your homemade taco pizza turns out perfectly crispy, flavorful, and utterly delicious every time:
- Utilize a Baking Stone or Steel: If you own a baking stone or steel, this is the ideal time to use it. Preheating it in your oven helps to mimic the intense heat of a professional pizza oven, resulting in an exceptionally crispy pizza crust that you typically only find at pizzerias.
- Pre-Bake Your Crust for Perfection: Don’t skip this crucial step! I always recommend pre-baking your pizza crust for about 8 minutes before adding any toppings. This simple act creates a barrier, preventing the crust from becoming soggy under the weight and moisture of your taco toppings. It ensures a firm, golden-brown base.
- Prick the Dough with a Fork: Before placing your dough in the oven for its initial pre-bake, use a fork to gently prick holes across its surface. This allows steam to escape during baking, preventing the dough from puffing up unevenly and ensuring a uniformly crispy crust.
- Source Quality Pizza Dough: While making your own dough is rewarding, sometimes convenience is key. Many local pizza restaurants are happy to sell fresh pizza dough for a very reasonable price. It’s a fantastic shortcut that guarantees fresh, delicious dough without the extra effort. Alternatively, this No-Knead Pizza Dough recipe is incredibly simple and takes minimal effort to prepare.
- Don’t Overload the Toppings: While it’s tempting to pile on all the delicious taco fixings, too many toppings can make the crust soggy and prevent even cooking. Stick to the recommended amounts for the best balance of flavor and texture.
- Freshness is Key for Toppings: The magic of taco pizza truly comes alive with fresh, crisp toppings. Ensure your lettuce is finely shredded and your tomatoes are diced just before serving to maximize their refreshing crunch and vibrant flavor.
Why This Taco Pizza Recipe is a Staple
This taco pizza recipe holds a special place in my culinary repertoire. Originating from the Midwest, taco pizza is a beloved regional specialty that instantly transports me back to my days living there. It’s a wonderful nostalgia trip, and the best part is that it’s an incredibly easy homemade pizza that I can whip up whenever a craving strikes!
If you’re as big a fan of Mexican flavors as I am, you absolutely must try these Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas. They’re another super easy and fun copycat recipe that the whole family adores, offering yet another delicious way to enjoy those vibrant flavors in a pizza format.
Variations and Customizations for Your Taco Pizza
One of the best things about taco pizza is its versatility. Feel free to get creative and adapt this recipe to your family’s preferences:
- Protein Power-Ups: While ground beef is classic, you can easily substitute it with ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based crumble for a vegetarian option. For extra flavor, season any alternative meat generously with taco seasoning.
- Cheese Combos: A mix of mozzarella and cheddar provides a great melt and flavor, but don’t hesitate to experiment with Monterey Jack, Colby, or a pre-shredded Mexican blend.
- Amp Up the Heat: For those who love a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños (fresh or pickled) to the pizza before baking, or drizzle with your favorite hot sauce after it comes out of the oven.
- Extra Veggies: Black olives, corn, finely diced red onion, or green chilies can be added before baking for extra flavor and texture.
- Creative Crunch: While Doritos are a popular choice, feel free to use other crushed tortilla chips like Fritos or even plain corn tortilla chips for that essential crunchy finish.
- Creamy Drizzles: A swirl of sour cream, a dollop of guacamole, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro can add a beautiful finish and extra layer of flavor right before serving.
Serving Suggestions for a Complete Taco Pizza Meal
Taco pizza is quite substantial on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides to create a well-rounded meal:
- Fresh Green Salad: A light, crisp salad with a zesty vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the pizza.
- Mexican Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice: These traditional sides complement the taco flavors perfectly.
- Corn on the Cob or Elote: Sweet corn, especially when grilled or prepared Mexican street corn style, makes a fantastic accompaniment.
- Black Bean Salad: A simple salad made with black beans, corn, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice is a healthy and flavorful side.
Storing and Reheating Your Taco Pizza
Leftover taco pizza is just as delicious! To store, place any remaining slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
For reheating, the best methods to retain crispiness are:
- Oven or Toaster Oven: Place slices directly on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the crust is crispy.
- Skillet: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Place pizza slices in the skillet, cover, and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the bottom is crispy and cheese is melted. The lid helps to heat the toppings evenly.
- Air Fryer: Place slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until hot and crispy.
Avoid microwaving if possible, as it tends to make the crust soggy.
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Taco Pizza
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
8
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Ingredients
-
Pizza Dough, homemade or store bought -
1 pound ground beef -
1 packet taco seasoning -
2/3 cup water -
1 can, 15 oz refried beans -
1/4 cup Taco Sauce -
1 cup Mozzarella cheese -
1 cup Cheddar Cheese -
1 1/2 cup Lettuce, chopped -
1 Tomato, chopped -
1 cup Doritos, crushed
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
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In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Continue to cook until all the water has been absorbed, creating flavorful taco meat.
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Roll your pizza dough out onto a greased baking tray or a preheated pizza stone. Using a fork, pierce the dough several times across its surface. Bake the crust for about 8 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven.
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In a medium bowl, combine the refried beans and taco sauce. Mix until well blended and smooth. Spread this flavorful bean mixture evenly over the pre-baked pizza dough.
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Next, spread the prepared taco meat evenly over the refried bean mixture.
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Generously sprinkle both the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the taco meat layer. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for another 6-8 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.
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Once baked, remove the taco pizza from the oven. Immediately top with the chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and crushed tortilla chips (such as Doritos) for that essential fresh crunch and pop of color. Slice and serve hot!
Notes
Looking to make your own dough? Click here for our easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe.
Nutrition
Serving:
1
g
|
Calories:
464
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
30
g
|
Protein:
26
g
|
Fat:
26
g
|
Saturated Fat:
10
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
14
g
|
Trans Fat:
1
g
|
Cholesterol:
77
mg
|
Sodium:
876
mg
|
Fiber:
4
g
|
Sugar:
5
g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
Dinner Recipes
American
8
464
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