- Ready in just 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients
- Tastes even better than the original with fresher ingredients
- Saves money without sacrificing that iconic flavor you crave
- Customizable toppings to suit your dietary needs and preferences
Craving Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza? Make It Better At Home!
Who doesn’t miss that moment when Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza hits your table? The crispy shells, savory beef, and melty cheese create a flavor explosion that keeps us coming back. But what if you could make a Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza at home that tastes even better than the original?
This homemade version of the Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza uses fresher ingredients and lets you control exactly what goes into your meal. Our recipe serves four people perfectly, making it ideal for family dinner or when friends come over. Best of all, you’ll save money while enjoying this beloved fast-food classic right in your kitchen.
Let’s create restaurant-quality Mexican Pizza without leaving home!
Nutrition Comparison: Homemade vs. Taco Bell
| Nutrient | Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza (Per Serving) | Taco Bell Original (Per Serving) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 420 | 540 |
| Fat | 24g | 30g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 10g |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 48g |
| Protein | 18g | 20g |
| Sodium | 680mg | 1080mg |
| Fiber | 5g | 6g |
| Sugar | 4g | 6g |
What You’ll Need For Your Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Ingredients List
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Flour tortillas (6-inch) | 8 | Crispy shells |
| Ground beef | 1 pound | Meat filling |
| Refried beans | 1 (16 oz) can | Base layer |
| Taco seasoning | 2 tablespoons | Flavor for beef |
| Tomato sauce | 1 (8 oz) can | Sauce for beef |
| Vegetable oil | ¼ cup | For frying tortillas |
| Diced tomatoes | 1 cup | Topping |
| Shredded cheddar cheese | 2 cups | Topping |
| Green onions | 4, sliced | Garnish |
| Black olives, sliced | ¼ cup | Garnish (optional) |
| Sour cream | ½ cup | Serving |
| Hot sauce | To taste | Serving |
Kitchen Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Large skillet | Cooking beef and frying tortillas |
| Spatula | Flipping tortillas |
| Mixing bowl | Preparing ingredients |
| Measuring cups and spoons | Accurate measurements |
| Baking sheet | Assembling and heating pizzas |
| Paper towels | Draining excess oil |
| Cutting board | Preparing ingredients |
| Sharp knife | Chopping vegetables |
| Meat thermometer | Checking beef temperature |
| Timer | Tracking cooking time |
Possible Substitutions
- Ground turkey can replace beef for a lighter option
- Black beans can substitute for refried beans
- Corn tortillas work instead of flour (may need different cooking time)
- Dairy-free cheese for a lactose-free version
- Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a protein boost
Detailed Beginner-Friendly Instructions for Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 (2 mini pizzas per person)
Preparation Phase (15 minutes)
- Organize your ingredients and tools
- Take all ingredients out of the refrigerator and pantry
- Set up your workstation with all needed tools
- Read through the entire recipe once before starting
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- Prep your vegetables
- Wash all fresh produce under cool running water
- Place tomatoes on cutting board and dice into small ¼-inch cubes (you need 1 cup total)
- Trim ends off green onions, then slice thinly (both white and green parts)
- If using olives, drain and slice if not pre-sliced
- Prepare your workspace
- Line one baking sheet with several layers of paper towels (for draining fried tortillas)
- Have a second baking sheet ready for final assembly
- Set up a safe area away from water for frying tortillas
Cooking Phase – Detailed Steps
Step 1: Crisp the Tortillas (8-10 minutes)
- Pour ¼ cup vegetable oil into a large skillet.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat for approximately 2-3 minutes until hot but not smoking.
- Beginner Tip: Test if oil is ready by dropping a tiny piece of tortilla in—it should bubble immediately but not burn.
- Carefully place one tortilla into the hot oil using tongs or a spatula.
- Safety Warning: Stand back slightly to avoid oil splatter.
- Fry the tortilla for exactly 30-45 seconds on the first side.
- Watch for the edges to turn golden and small bubbles to form.
- Beginner Tip: Set a timer to avoid burning.
- Using a spatula or tongs, carefully flip the tortilla to fry the second side.
- Technique Tip: Slide the spatula completely under the tortilla before lifting to prevent tearing.
- Fry second side for 30 seconds until golden brown and crispy.
- The tortilla should be rigid but not deeply browned or burnt.
- Carefully remove the fried tortilla and place on paper towel-lined baking sheet.
- Allow excess oil to drain while you continue with remaining tortillas.
- Repeat steps 3-7 with all 8 tortillas.
- Beginner Tip: You may need to adjust heat if tortillas start cooking too quickly or slowly.
- If oil starts smoking, lower heat and wait a minute before continuing.
Step 2: Prepare the Beef Filling (10 minutes)
- If necessary, drain all but 1 tablespoon of oil from the skillet used for tortillas.
- Safety Tip: Let oil cool slightly and pour carefully into a heat-safe container, not down the drain.
- Return skillet to stove and set heat to medium.
- Add 1 pound of ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula into small pieces.
- Technique Tip: Use the edge of the spatula to break meat into very small crumbles.
- Cook beef for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until no pink color remains.
- Safety Tip: Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Tilt the skillet slightly and use the spatula to push meat to one side, allowing excess fat to pool.
- Carefully spoon out excess fat, leaving the seasoned meat behind.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning evenly over the beef.
- Stir continuously for 30 seconds to coat all meat pieces.
- Pour in the entire 8 oz can of tomato sauce plus ¼ cup water.
- Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- The sauce should thicken slightly but remain moist.
- Beginner Tip: If mixture becomes too dry, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time.
- Once thickened, remove from heat and set aside.
- Timing Tip: This is a good time to heat your refried beans.
Step 3: Heat the Refried Beans (3-4 minutes)
- Open the can of refried beans and transfer to a microwave-safe bowl.
- Technique Tip: Use a rubber spatula to get all beans from the can.
- Heat beans using one of these methods:
- Microwave Method: Cover loosely and heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stopping halfway to stir.
- Stovetop Method: Heat in a small saucepan over low heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir the heated beans to create a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Beginner Tip: If beans are too thick, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of water.
Assembly Phase of Your Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza (5 minutes)
- Arrange four fried tortillas on your clean baking sheet, leaving space between each.
- Placement Tip: Ensure the flatter side is facing up for easier spreading.
- Using a tablespoon, place 3 tablespoons of warm refried beans onto the center of each tortilla.
- Technique Tip: Use the back of the spoon to spread beans in a circular motion.
- Spread beans outward toward the edges, leaving a ¼-inch border around the perimeter.
- Beginner Tip: This border helps prevent spillage during baking.
- Add approximately ¼ cup of the prepared seasoned beef on top of the beans on each tortilla.
- Spread the beef evenly, keeping within the bean layer.
- Carefully place a second fried tortilla on top of each prepared base.
- Handling Tip: Hold tortilla with both hands and lower gently to avoid breaking.
- Spread 2 tablespoons of the remaining beef mixture onto each top tortilla.
- Create a thin, even layer that will help cheese stick.
- Sprinkle each assembled pizza with ½ cup of shredded cheese, covering the entire surface.
- Distribution Tip: Start from the center and work outward for even coverage.
- Distribute the diced tomatoes evenly across all four pizzas (about 2 tablespoons each).
- Arrangement Tip: Space them evenly for balanced flavor in every bite.
- Finish with sliced green onions and black olives (if using).
- Visual Tip: These colorful toppings should be visible in each quarter of the pizza.
Final Cooking Phase (5-7 minutes)
- Place the baking sheet with assembled Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas into your preheated 350°F oven.
- Positioning Tip: Center the baking sheet on the middle rack for even heating.
- Bake for exactly 5-7 minutes, watching carefully.
- Visual Cue: Pizzas are ready when cheese is completely melted and edges begin to crisp slightly.
- Remove baking sheet from oven using oven mitts.
- Safety Tip: Place hot baking sheet on a heat-safe surface.
- Allow pizzas to rest for 1-2 minutes before cutting.
- Patience Tip: This brief rest helps ingredients set and makes cutting easier.
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice each pizza into quarters.
- Cutting Tip: Use firm, decisive cuts to prevent tortillas from shattering.
- Carefully transfer to serving plates using a spatula.
- Serving Tip: Slide spatula completely under each piece to maintain structure.
- Serve immediately with small bowls of sour cream and hot sauce on the side.
- Presentation Tip: A sprinkle of extra green onions on top adds a fresh finishing touch.
Troubleshooting Your Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Soggy tortillas | Not fried long enough or oil not hot enough | Ensure oil is properly heated; fry until golden and crisp (30-45 seconds per side) |
| Too greasy | Excess oil not properly drained | Drain thoroughly on multiple layers of paper towels for at least 1 minute |
| Filling falls out when cutting | Overfilled or cut too soon | Use recommended amounts; let rest 1-2 minutes before cutting |
| Beans too thick to spread | Cold beans or beans not stirred | Heat thoroughly and stir well; add 1-2 tablespoons water if needed |
| Burnt tortillas | Oil too hot or fried too long | Watch closely; reduce heat if tortillas brown in less than 20 seconds |
| Cheese not fully melted | Not enough baking time | Return to oven for 1-2 additional minutes, watching carefully |
Variations & Substitutions for Your Copycat Mexican Pizza
Vegetarian Version
Replace ground beef with:
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms and 1 cup crumbled tofu, seasoned with taco seasoning
- 1 package meat substitute crumbles cooked according to package directions
- 2 cups black beans, drained and seasoned with 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
Spicy Upgrade
Add these ingredients for heat lovers:
- 2 tablespoons diced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce mixed into beef
- Substitute pepper jack cheese for cheddar
- Add a dash of cayenne pepper to the meat mixture
Healthier Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Try these swaps for a lighter meal:
- Bake tortillas instead of frying (brush with 1 teaspoon oil per tortilla and bake at 400°F for 5 minutes per side)
- Use 93% lean ground chicken or turkey with reduced-fat cheese
- Add extra vegetables like ¼ cup diced bell peppers or ¼ cup corn kernels to the meat mixture
If you love unique pizza variations, check out these pizza pot pies for another fun twist on traditional recipes.
Storage & Reheating Your Mexican Pizza
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store assembled but unbaked pizzas wrapped in aluminum foil for up to 2 days
- Components: Store cooked meat, beans, and toppings in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Freeze cooked meat mixture in airtight containers for up to 3 months
- Prepared Tortillas: Fried tortillas can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days
Reheating Methods
- Oven (Best Method):
- Preheat to 350°F
- Place on baking sheet
- Heat for 7-10 minutes until hot throughout
- Tip: Cover loosely with foil if top is browning too quickly
- Microwave (Quick Option):
- Place on microwave-safe plate
- Heat 30-45 seconds on 70% power
- Note: Tortillas won’t be as crispy with this method
- Skillet Method:
- Heat on medium-low with lid
- Add 1 teaspoon water to pan (creates steam)
- Cook 2-3 minutes until warmed through
- Tip: This helps maintain crispness better than microwave
Safety Notes & Tips for Perfect Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Food Safety
- Cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (use a meat thermometer)
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking
- Don’t reuse oil used for frying raw meat
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meat
- Keep hot ingredients hot (above 140°F) and cold ingredients cold (below 40°F)
Preparation Tips
- Prep ahead: Fry tortillas and prepare filling the day before for quick assembly
- Assembly line: Set up all components in order for efficient preparation
- Hot oil safety: Use long utensils and be careful of splatter when frying tortillas
- Time management: Start heating beans while beef is cooking to streamline preparation
Serving Suggestions
- Create a toppings bar for guests to customize their own Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas
- Pair with a simple side salad for a complete meal
- Serve with Mexican rice for a heartier dinner option
- Add a side of guacamole or pico de gallo for extra flavor
Looking for more creative pizza ideas? Try these quick 2-ingredient pizza chips for a fun appetizer before serving your Mexican pizzas.
Make It A Fiesta Night!
This Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza is just the beginning of your homemade Mexican feast. Round out your menu with homemade guacamole, Spanish rice, or a refreshing pitcher of horchata.
With this recipe mastered, you might find yourself exploring more pizza recipes to add to your cooking repertoire. The combination of Mexican flavors with the pizza format opens up endless creative possibilities!
Whether you’re making these for a family dinner or a weekend gathering with friends, these homemade Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas are sure to become a requested favorite that beats the drive-thru version every time.
