Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Mexican Pizza and Homemade Taco Seasoning

My apologies to Babette of Babette Feasts who chose this week's Tuesdays with Dorie (TWD) recipe (Tartest Lemon Tart). I would have loved to have tried it, but I just got back from my trip and I was so jet lagged. So instead of a tart this week, I bring you a super simple dinner idea - the Mexican Pizza.


I grew up in southern California and I'll admit, I used to go to Taco Bell. I almost always ordered the same thing whenever I went there - "Mexican Pizza with extra tomatoes, hold the olives please."

I haven't been to Taco Bell in years, and prefer to avoid fast food establishments in general now. So when I got a craving for a mexican pizza, I decided I could just as easily make them at home. Unlike most restaurants, there aren't many things on the Taco Bell menu that you couldn't make at home.


It was relatively easy to create the copycat Mexican Pizza recipe. Each component is simple to make, and this is actually a great weeknight meal because it comes together in no time. I don't like deep frying things, so I baked my tortillas instead. In our house, we buy the 10-inch tortillas in bulk, so that's what I used for this recipe. I then cut them into "slices" for serving. You can easily use smaller tortillas if you want to make individually sized servings instead. You can either use store bought taco seasoning, or you can just as easily make your own to cut back on the sodium (I've included a recipe below).


These are delicious, and a nice change from plain old tacos. I love that I can make my own mexican pizzas at home now, because I can customize them to suit my tastes - with extra tomatoes and no olives :) Give these a try - I think you'll enjoy them!

Mexican Pizza
from Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats

1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp taco seasoning, recipe below
1/4 cup water
4 flour tortillas (10 inch)
cooking spray
2 tbsp chopped green onions (scallions)
1/2 can (8 ounces) refried beans
1 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 cup taco sauce
1 cup shredded cheese (I used a Mexican Blend)
sliced black olives, optional


Preheat oven to 350F.

Cook the ground beef over medium heat until brown, then drain. Return the meat to the pan and add the taco seasoning and water. Continue to cook over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring often.

Spray both sides of each tortilla with cooking spray and then place them on the middle rack of your oven. Bake for approximately 6 minutes, turning them half way through. The tortillas should be golden brown and crispy, but watch them closely because they will go from golden to burnt in a matter of seconds. (They may puff up slightly in the oven - you can prevent this by poking them a few times with a knife every few minutes in the oven.) After you remove the tortillas from the oven, increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.

Place the refried beans in a small bowl and heat them for 30-60 seconds in the microwave.

Assembling the pizzas:
Spread 1/2 cup beans, then 1 cup of seasoned ground beef on the first tortilla. Top with the second tortilla.

Top the second tortilla with 1/4 cup taco sauce. Layer with 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, then 1/2 cup cheese and 1 tablespoon scallions.

Bake for 5 minutes. Cut each pizza into four "slices" using a knife or kitchen scissors.

Yield: 3-4 Servings

Taco Seasoning
from Amber's Delectable Delights

1 Tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper

Mix together all ingredients and store in airtight container.
Use within 6 months for best flavor.

Yield: 2 2/3 tablespoons (2 tbsp + 2 tsp)

26 comments:

  1. That would make me a very happy diner!

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  2. I like how fast and easy this is to make. Looks like a great dinner.

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  3. What an awesome looking pizza. Thumbs up!

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  4. This looks awesome! Great colorful pics!

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  5. THis is simply delicious Jaime. I love the vibrant color of this Mexican pizza. Wonderful!

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  6. So simple and easy and utterly delicious looking!

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  7. I have to tell you, I have been thinking and thinking about taco pizza for the past week. I am so glad to see someone else likes it! Our Pizza Hut when I was growing up made it and it was always a surprising favorite. I can tell I am going to have to make some soon! Yours looks so good!!

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  8. Nice! I love mexican and this variation is awesome. Thanks

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  9. I confess to still loving Taco Bell. It is the one fast food establishment where I still eat. This looks tasty so I'll have to give it a shot!

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  10. That's a great dinner idea. And I am trying that taco seasoning!

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  11. Yum- I am seriously so excited to try this one out! My kids love pizza and tacos (a perfect combo!) and this looks amazing! Half of food for me is how delicious it can look- I love the complimentary thing going on with the red and green in this one!

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  12. I love this, I also like the homemade taco seasoning, thanks Jaime!

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  13. I do try to avoid fast food as well, but I must admit, I ♥ Taco Bell! :) I'll have to try this.

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  14. We loved the Mexican Pizzas when we were in America so I'll certainly be trying these out. Thanks for sharing the recipe :)

    Katie xox

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  15. i can't even begin to describe how superior i find a homemade mexican pizza to be to the stuff from taco bell. and excellent seasoning recipe--no preservatives to be found! :)

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  16. I love this - looks simple, easy, and healthy too!

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  17. I HAVE to try this. Bookmarked.

    You think tofu can replace beef?

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  18. I need to try a Mexican version. Looks so good!

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  19. OH. MY. Absolutely beautiful! :) Now I want taco pizza...

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  20. OMG this looks SO good! I will be making this next week!

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  21. I'm going to admit that I don't really eat much fastfood, but I do adore the Taco bell Mexican pizza. I don't think I've had it in years, but I still remember how great it tasted! I can't wait to make this for myself at home! Thanks for posting this. Sorry I've been away from blogging/commenting for so long. I just finished up with my exams and am finally getting around to my google reader :) Everything looks delicious!

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  22. Love it! And I'm laughing because I used to get this at Taco Bell too.

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  23. cant wait to try this fabulous delecious looking pizza. m sure my kids gonna love this one. way to go jammie! :)

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  24. My son has been on a Mexican food kick lately, and this would totally fit the bill - looks delicious!

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  25. Me again! I just posted this - sooo good!

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  26. That pizza looks good. I like all of the fresh tomatoes on it!

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