Taco Pizza: The Ultimate Fusion for Your Next Meal

Can’t decide between savory tacos and classic pizza? Why choose when you can have the best of both worlds with this incredible Taco Pizza! This flavorful and fun dish masterfully combines all your beloved taco ingredients – think perfectly seasoned ground beef, vibrant pico de gallo, crisp lettuce, and gooey cheese – all atop a deliciously crispy pizza crust. It’s the ideal culinary creation for a lively family dinner, a casual game night with friends, or any occasion that calls for a truly unforgettable meal. Get ready to elevate your pizza game to a whole new level of deliciousness!

Why Taco Pizza is a Must-Try

Here at our house, we are absolutely obsessed with reinventing pizza night. While classic pepperoni and supreme pizzas have their place, there’s something undeniably exciting about stepping outside the box. We’ve had a blast experimenting with creative combinations like our satisfying Meatball Pizza, the indulgent Cheeseburger Pizza, and the tangy BBQ Chicken Pizza. But when it comes to truly innovative and crowd-pleasing meals, the Taco Pizza stands out as a brilliant culinary mashup.

The inspiration for this recipe stems from a simple truth: tacos are life. Seriously, if it were up to me, every night would be taco night! It’s a dish deeply ingrained in my personal history; tacos were the very first meal my husband and I cooked together when we started dating. This tradition of enjoying flavorful, customizable meals continued into our family life, where pizza also holds a special place. We make pizza often, experimenting with toppings and crusts to keep things fresh and exciting.

So, when two of our all-time favorite foods converged in my mind – the vibrant, spicy goodness of tacos and the comforting, cheesy embrace of pizza – I knew I had to bring them together. The result? A match made in heaven! This Taco Pizza is more than just a novelty; it’s a genuinely delicious dish that brings together the best textures and tastes from both culinary worlds. It’s a testament to how wonderful food fusion can be, and it might just inspire you to combine more of your favorite dishes.

Essential Ingredients for Your Taco Pizza

Creating the perfect Taco Pizza starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and some tips for each:

• Pizza Dough: The foundation of any great pizza is its crust. While you can certainly opt for convenience with store-bought pizza dough, I highly recommend trying my homemade pizza dough recipe. It truly elevates the flavor and texture of this pizza, providing a superior crispy base. If using store-bought, make sure to let it come to room temperature for easier handling.
• Ground Beef: This is the classic choice for a hearty taco filling, and it works wonderfully on pizza. However, feel free to substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer a leaner option. For a vegetarian twist, seasoned plant-based ground crumbles are an excellent alternative. Always ensure your meat is fully cooked and drained of excess fat before adding it to the pizza.
• Taco Seasoning: A good taco seasoning is crucial for infusing that authentic Tex-Mex flavor. You can use your favorite homemade taco seasoning blend, which often allows for better control over salt and spice levels, or grab a reliable store-bought packet for ease.
• Refried Beans: These creamy, savory beans act as a flavorful base, adding moisture and depth to the pizza. Just like the taco seasoning, you have the choice between homemade refried beans or a good quality canned version. Whichever you choose, ensure they are warmed slightly so they spread easily over the dough.
• Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese is my go-to for Taco Pizza, as it’s a staple for traditional ground beef tacos. However, don’t hesitate to experiment! A Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or even a pepper jack for a little kick would be fantastic. The goal is gooey, melted perfection.
• Toppings: This is where you can truly unleash your creativity! I love adding a generous amount of fresh shredded lettuce, bright pico de gallo, cool sour cream, and creamy guacamole once the pizza is out of the oven. Other fantastic options include diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, pickled jalapeños, thinly sliced red onion, fresh cilantro, or even a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce. Set them out buffet-style and let everyone customize their slice!

Crafting Your Delicious Taco Pizza: Step-by-Step Guide

Making Taco Pizza is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. Follow these simple steps for a truly fantastic meal:

1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare for Baking: Begin by preheating your oven to a robust 450ºF (230ºC). If you’re using a pizza stone, place it in the oven during preheating and allow it to heat for at least 30 minutes to ensure a perfectly crispy crust. This step is crucial for achieving that desired pizzeria-quality texture.
2. Prepare the Taco Meat: While the oven is heating, place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef (or chosen substitute) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s almost entirely browned with just a hint of pink remaining. At this point, sprinkle in your taco seasoning and stir well to combine. Continue to cook until the beef is fully cooked through and the seasoning is well integrated. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to prevent a greasy pizza.
3. Warm the Refried Beans: Transfer the refried beans to a small pot or microwave-safe bowl. Heat them gently over medium heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until they are warm and have a smooth, spreadable consistency. Alternatively, microwave them in short intervals, stirring between each, until heated through.
4. Prepare the Pizza Dough: On a lightly floured surface or a piece of parchment paper (which is my personal secret for easy transfer!), stretch or roll your pizza dough out into a 12-inch circle. Aim for an even thickness, especially if you like a consistent crispness throughout.
5. Assemble Your Pizza: Once your dough is ready, spread the warmed refried beans evenly over the surface, leaving a small border for the crust. Next, spoon the seasoned ground beef mixture over the beans. Finally, generously sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese (or your cheese blend) over the taco meat.
6. Bake to Perfection: Carefully transfer your assembled pizza to the preheated oven. If using a pizza stone, slide it directly onto the hot stone. Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until the pizza crust is golden brown and the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on it, as oven temperatures can vary.
7. Add Fresh Toppings and Serve: Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven. Let it cool for a minute or two, then generously top with your desired fresh ingredients like shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole. Slice, serve immediately, and enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Expert Tips for a Flawless Taco Pizza

Achieving a truly outstanding Taco Pizza goes beyond just following the steps. Here are some of my go-to tips and tricks to ensure your pizza is a resounding success every time:

• Embrace the Pizza Stone: I am a huge believer in using a pizza stone. While not strictly necessary, they are relatively inexpensive and make a monumental difference in achieving an incredibly crispy crust. The stone absorbs and radiates heat evenly, mimicking a professional pizza oven. Remember to place it in the oven during preheating for at least 30 minutes so it gets piping hot. If you don’t have a pizza stone, a heavy-duty baking sheet will work, but you won’t need to preheat it for the full 30 minutes; 10-15 minutes should suffice.
• Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Transferring raw pizza dough from a peel to a hot oven can be tricky, even for seasoned home cooks. That’s why I like to use parchment paper when baking my pizza. Simply build your pizza on a piece of parchment paper cut to size, and then slide the entire thing, parchment and all, onto your preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. It’s a lifesaver for easy, stress-free transfers!
• For an Extra Crispy Crust: If you’re a fan of a super crispy crust, consider par-baking it. After rolling out your dough, bake it plain for 3-5 minutes before adding any toppings. This gives the dough a head start and helps prevent a soggy center, especially with wetter toppings like refried beans.
• Customize Your Toppings: The beauty of Taco Pizza lies in its versatility. You can add all the fresh toppings to the entire pizza before serving, or you can set up a topping bar. Letting each person add their own desired toppings allows for endless customization and caters to individual preferences, making it an interactive and fun meal for everyone.
• Think Mini Pizzas: The first time I made this recipe, I actually made four mini pizzas from the dough instead of one large one. The kids absolutely adored them! Mini Taco Pizzas are perfect for smaller appetites, parties, or as appetizers. Plus, they cook a little faster.
• Storing Leftovers: If you have any glorious slices left over (a rare occurrence, I assure you!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer for best results, ensuring the crust crisps up again.
• Make Ahead Option: You can prepare the seasoned ground beef and warm the refried beans a day in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to make the pizza, simply warm them up and proceed with assembling and baking. This is a great time-saver for busy weeknights.

More Taco-Inspired Culinary Adventures

If you’re as passionate about the flavors of tacos as we are, then you’ll love exploring these other taco-inspired recipes that transform classic dishes into something wonderfully new and exciting. These recipes take the beloved components of tacos and creatively incorporate them into comforting meals:

• Taco Pie: A fantastic way to enjoy taco flavors in a savory pie form, perfect for potlucks.
• Taco Salad: All the deliciousness of tacos in a fresh, vibrant salad.
• Taco Mac and Cheese: A cheesy, comforting twist on a family favorite with a taco kick.
• Taco Casserole: An easy, layered dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
• Taco Skillet: A quick and flavorful one-pan meal for busy weeknights.
• Taco Burgers: Juicy burgers infused with taco seasoning, served with your favorite fixings.

Taco Pizza Recipe

Can’t decide between tacos and pizza? Then combine them with this Taco Pizza! This flavorful dish combines all your favorite taco ingredients, like seasoned ground beef, pico de gallo, lettuce, and cheese, with a crispy pizza crust. Perfect for a fun family dinner or game night with friends.

Taco Pizza

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 8 slices

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

• 1 pound pizza dough*
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 1/2 teaspoons taco seasoning
• 1 cup refried beans
• 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• Optional toppings – shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, or guacamole

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450ºF (230ºC). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven and preheat for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook until almost no pink remains, and sprinkle in the taco seasoning. Continue to cook until the beef is cooked through.
3. Place the refried beans in a small pot and cook over medium heat until warmed through.
4. Stretch or roll the pizza dough out into a 12” circle. Top the dough with the refried beans, followed by the taco meat. Then top with the cheese.
5. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and top with your desired toppings before serving.

Recipe Notes:

*I like my pizza crust a little thinner, so I will use about 12 oz of dough per pizza instead of 1 pound.

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide. Nutrition information is calculated using 1 pound of pizza dough. Optional toppings are not included in nutritional information.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 slice, Calories: 302kcal (15%), Carbohydrates: 30g (10%), Protein: 15g (30%), Fat: 12g (18%), Saturated Fat: 5g (31%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 39mg (13%), Sodium: 519mg (23%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 3g (3%)

Keywords: taco pizza