Best Mexican Pizza

Mexican pizza is a crispy, layered tortilla pizza loaded with seasoned beef, enchilada sauce and melted cheese, made famous by Taco Bell. This homemade version uses baked tortillas for crunch and comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients.

hand taking slice of tortilla pizza


 

Why This Mexican Pizza Works

Taco Bell knew what it was doing when it made the Mexican pizza. And here is why.

  • Double tortilla = structure + crunch – Because we use two tortillas, there is more structure and crunch for stability.
  • Thin cheese layer acts as “glue” – What is cheese good for besides being delicious? Sticking two tortillas together of course!
  • Baking before topping prevents sogginess – No soggy pizzas here! We bake them first to provide structure for the toppings.
close up of sliced mexican pizza on plate

What You’ll Need

One of the best things about this easy mexican pizza recipe is that it is totally customizable! A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.

  • Flour tortillas – I much prefer to use flour tortillas for this recipe. But if all you have is corn (or if you prefer corn) go ahead and use those. They will just get slightly crunchier.
  • Enchilada sauce – Instead of tomato sauce, we smother each tortilla with zesty enchilada sauce, fresh vegetables and gooey cheese. You can even use a green enchilada sauce! This serves as the “pizza sauce” instead of traditional tomato mixture.
  • Ground cumin
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Vegetable oil
  • Ground beef
  • Taco seasoning
  • Cotija cheese
  • Crema mexicana
  • Pico de gallo
  • Guacamole
  • Cilantro
overhead shot of mexican pizza ingredients

How to Make Mexican Pizzas (Step-by-Step)

Forget taco night, these pizzas are so easy that they might be your new go to.

  1. Baste tortillas with seasoning and bake. Using two baking sheets, place 3 tortillas on each. Mix together the vegetable oil with the ground cumin. Baste half of the mixture over each tortilla, reserving the remaining. Bake for 5 minutes.
  2. Add cheese and remaining tortillas. Bake. Remove and evenly divide the cheddar cheese between the tortillas, it will be thin- it is just the glue to hold both layers together. Top with the remaining tortillas and baste them with the remaining oil. Bake until the top tortilla is a little crispy.
  3. Cook taco meat. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef , breaking up as you cook. Allow it to brown well. Add the taco seasoning and toss until mixed. Remove from the heat.
  4. Top with sauce, beef and cheese. Spoon a thin layer of the enchilada Sauce on each flour tortilla. Evenly spoon the cooked ground beef mixture on the 6 pizzas. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and cotija cheese.
  5. Bake again until cheese melts. Bake again until the cheese melts and edges are lightly browned.
  6. Add toppings. Top with a drizzle of cream Mexicana, fresh cilantro, pico de gallo or guacamole.
overhead shot of ground beef and taco sauce on tortillas

Toppings and Variations

There are plenty of ways for you to make these mexican pizzas your own. Here are a few ideas as well as more topping suggestions.

  • Tortillas – Instead of flour tortillas, swap them out for corn tortillas instead. You can also use the carb conscious ones.
  • Cheese – You don’t have to use the cheeses I used. Swap them out for pepper jack, montery jack, mozzarella or anything else that tickles your fancy.
  • green onions (scallions)
  • black beans
  • red onion
  • black olives
  • tomato
  • jalapeno
  • pico de gallo
  • crushed red pepper
  • peppadew
  • bacon
  • chile powder
overhead shot of three mexican pizzas on wooden board

Make it A Meal

You can serve your Mexican pizzas with just about anything you’d like to. I like to serve mine with a side of refried beans and spanish rice. But something like Mexican street corn salad would be great too.

If you’re like me, you’re a sucker for chips and salsa. That and some fresh guacamole is always a great starter to this meal.

spoon adding pico de gallo to mexican pizza

More Mexican Inspired Dishes

Mexican night is always a winner at our house! Here are some of our favorites.

hand taking slice of tortilla pizza

Mexican Pizza Recipe

5 from 10 votes
This homemade Mexican pizza recipe uses crispy tortillas, seasoned beef, enchilada sauce, and melty cheese. Ready in minutes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Tortillas:

Topping:

Garnish:

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F degrees. Using two baking sheets, place 3 tortillas on each. Mix together the 2 tablespoons vegetable oil with 1 teaspoon ground cumin . Baste half of the mixture over each tortilla, reserving the remaining. Bake for 5 minutes.
  • Remove and evenly divide the shredded 1/2 cup cheddar cheese between the tortillas, it will be thin- it is just the glue to hold both layers together. Top with the remaining 6 tortillas and baste them with the remaining oil. Bake for another 5 minutes, or until the top tortilla is a little crispy.

Pizza Toppings:

  • Heat the 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 1/2 pound ground beef , breaking up as you cook. Allow it to brown well. Add the 1 tablespoon taco seasoning and toss until mixed. Remove from the heat.
  • Spoon a thin layer of the 1 cup enchilada Sauce on each flour tortilla. Evenly spoon the cooked ground beef mixture on the 6 pizzas. Sprinkle the shredded 1 cup cheddar cheese and 1 cup cotija cheese.
  • Bake again for 5 minutes until the cheese melts and edges are lightly browned.
  • Top with a drizzle of cream Mexicana, fresh cilantro, pico de gallo or guacamole.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Notes

If you want to make double decker pizzas, simply put a layer of sauce and cheese on the first tortilla and top it with a second. Continue the instructions as stated.
Storage: Store any unbaked pizzas in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Store any baked leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Freezing: Wrap your pizzas tightly in plastic wrap and add to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 532 kcal, Carbohydrates: 35 g, Protein: 22 g, Fat: 33 g, Saturated Fat: 14 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 77 mg, Sodium: 1318 mg, Potassium: 220 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 5 g, Vitamin A: 699 IU, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 420 mg, Iron: 4 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Formicola
Calories: 532
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: copycat taco bell mexican pizza, mexican pizza, mexican tortilla pizza, taco bell mexican pizza, taco pizza, tortilla pizza
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
collage of mexican pizza
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

5 from 10 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    What a great way to use tortillas. We had fun making this with our kids and I love that everyone could customise their toppings. Great recipe!

  2. 5 stars
    I would always have to drive down to our local taco bell for this – but thanks to you, now I can make these mexican pizzas at home! Thanks!

  3. 5 stars
    My daughter and I had such a fun time making these for dinner. She loved being able to personalize hers and I loved having a quick and easy meal to make with her as part of our “girl’s night”. Thanks!

  4. 5 stars
    This is such a fantastic idea!! I will be using it for our next Tn Vols football party! I know that everyone is going to love it and I’m going to love how easy it is!