Two crispy shells, a layer of beans and beef, a smear of tangy red sauce, melted cheese on top. That’s the whole idea behind Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza, and it’s the reason people kept a Change.org petition alive until the chain finally put it back on the menu for good. You don’t need a drive-thru to get one anymore. A skillet, an oven, and about 30 minutes will get you there, and the homemade version holds up better than the original because you control how much cheese goes on.
This recipe walks through the copycat version from scratch, plus a few shortcuts using tostada shells or an oven-only method if you’d rather skip the stovetop frying. There’s also a breakdown of what’s actually in Taco Bell’s sauce, swaps for vegetarians, and answers to the questions people search for most about this dish.
Mexican Pizza: Recipe At a Glance
What You’ll Need for Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Before you start cooking, it helps to have everything measured and within reach. This recipe comes together fast once the pan is hot, and Mexican Pizza isn’t a dish where you want to be chopping onions mid-assembly.
Ingredients for the Refried Beans
You can use canned refried beans straight out of the can, but a few additions make them taste closer to what Taco Bell serves.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Canned refried beans | 1 (16 oz) can |
| Garlic powder | ½ tsp |
| Cumin | ¼ tsp |
| Water (to loosen, if needed) | 1–2 tbsp |
Ingredients for the Mexican Pizza
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Flour tortillas (taco size, 6-inch) | 8 |
| Vegetable oil (for frying) | ½ cup |
| Shredded Mexican cheese blend | 2 cups |
| Roma tomato, diced | 1 |
| Sliced green onion (optional) | 2 tbsp |
Corn tortillas work as a substitute if you’d rather skip flour, and that swap is covered later in this guide.
How to Make Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Once your ingredients are prepped, the process breaks into five short stages: beans, beef, tortillas, sauce, and assembly. None of these steps takes longer than 10 minutes.
Make the Refried Beans
Warm the canned refried beans in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the garlic powder and cumin. If the beans look thick or gluey, add a splash of water until they reach a spreadable consistency, similar to hummus. Keep them warm on low heat while you work on the beef.
Cook the Ground Beef
Brown 1 pound of ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Once no pink remains, drain the excess fat. Add taco seasoning and ⅔ cup of water, then simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the liquid mostly absorbs and the meat looks glossy rather than wet.
Prepare the Tortillas
Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry each tortilla for about 45 seconds per side, until it turns golden and firms up but doesn’t go fully crisp like a chip. Set the fried shells on a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. You’ll need two shells per pizza.
Make the Mexican Pizza Sauce
Whisk together ½ cup of red enchilada sauce, 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce, and a pinch of chili powder in a small bowl. Warm it gently in a saucepan for a minute or two. This mimics the tangy, slightly sweet sauce Taco Bell spreads on top rather than a straight enchilada sauce, which tends to taste sharper on its own.
Assemble and Cook the Mexican Pizzas
- Spread a layer of refried beans over one fried tortilla.
- Top with a spoonful of seasoned beef, spread evenly to the edges.
- Place a second fried tortilla on top, pressing down lightly.
- Spread the pizza sauce over the top shell.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese generously over the sauce.
- Bake at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely.
- Top with diced tomato and green onion, then slice into quarters like a pizza.
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Can You Make Mexican Pizza in the Oven?
Yes, and it’s actually the easier route if you’d rather avoid pan-frying. Brush both sides of each tortilla lightly with oil, then bake them on a sheet pan at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway, until they’re firm and lightly browned. From there, follow the same assembly steps: beans, beef, second shell, sauce, cheese, and a final bake until melted. The texture ends up slightly less crisp than frying, but it’s a fair trade for a lighter, less messy process, especially if you’re making several pizzas at once for a family dinner.
How to Make Mexican Pizza With Tostadas
Store-bought tostada shells are a genuine time-saver here, since they’re already fried and crisp. Skip the tortilla-frying step entirely and use two tostada shells per pizza instead. Spread beans on one, add beef, stack the second tostada on top, then finish with sauce, cheese, and toppings before a quick 5-minute bake to melt everything. Because tostadas are sturdier than fried tortillas, this version holds up well for meal prep or for kids who want to build their own at the table.
What Sauce Does Taco Bell Use on Mexican Pizza?
Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza sauce is a red, tomato-based sauce with a mild, slightly tangy flavor, closer to a thinned enchilada sauce than a marinara or pizza sauce. It isn’t sold separately at retail, so copycat versions rely on blending red enchilada sauce with a small amount of tomato sauce and seasoning to approximate the flavor and consistency. Some cooks add a touch of sugar or smoked paprika to round it out further.
Easy Substitutions for Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
This recipe adapts well to what’s already in your kitchen or to dietary needs, without losing the flavor that makes it recognizable.
Using Flour or Corn Tortillas
Flour tortillas match Taco Bell’s current texture most closely, but corn tortillas are a solid substitute if you want a slightly crunchier, more traditional Mexican pizza. Corn tortillas fry up firmer and hold their shape a bit better, though they’re more prone to cracking when you stack and slice the finished pizza.
Making It Vegetarian
Skip the beef entirely and double the refried beans, or use a plant-based ground meat substitute in its place. Season it the same way with taco seasoning so the flavor profile stays consistent with the original.
Making It Without Ground Beef
Shredded rotisserie chicken tossed in taco seasoning works well as a swap, as does ground turkey if you want a leaner option without changing the overall structure of the pizza. Both hold up fine under the sauce and cheese without making the layers soggy.
Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Copycat Recipe
Here’s the full recipe in one place, with exact measurements for four pizzas.
Ingredients
For the Refried Beans
- 1 (16 oz) can refried beans
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cumin
For the Beef
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ⅔ cup water
For the Pizza Sauce
- ½ cup red enchilada sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce
- Pinch of chili powder
For the Toppings
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 Roma tomato, diced
- 2 tbsp sliced green onion
- 8 flour tortillas (6-inch)
- ½ cup vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Warm the refried beans with garlic powder and cumin in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet, drain the fat, then stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer until thickened.
- Heat oil in a separate skillet and fry each tortilla for about 45 seconds per side until golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Whisk the enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, and chili powder together in a bowl.
- Spread beans on one fried tortilla, top with beef, then stack a second tortilla on top.
- Spread sauce over the top shell and sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Top with diced tomato and green onion, then cut each pizza into quarters and serve immediately.
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Tips for Making the Best Mexican Pizza at Home
- Fry the tortillas just until firm, not fully crisp, since they’ll bake again once assembled.
- Drain the beef well so the layers don’t turn soggy under the sauce.
- Warm the refried beans before spreading them, since cold beans tear the tortilla.
- Use a Mexican cheese blend rather than a single cheese for better melt and flavor.
- Assemble the pizzas right before baking rather than ahead of time, since the shells soften as they sit.
- Let the finished pizza rest for two minutes before slicing so the layers hold together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Made Of?
Two fried flour tortillas layered with refried beans and seasoned beef, topped with red pizza sauce, melted cheese, and diced tomatoes.
How Do You Make Taco Bell Mexican Pizza at Home?
Fry or bake two tortillas per pizza, layer beans and beef between them, top with sauce and cheese, then bake until melted.
Does Taco Bell Use Flour or Corn Tortillas for Mexican Pizza?
Taco Bell currently uses flour tortillas for its Mexican Pizza, though earlier versions of the item have varied slightly over the years.
What Is the Red Sauce on Taco Bell Mexican Pizza?
It’s a mild, tomato-based pizza sauce similar to a thinned enchilada sauce, not a standard marinara or pizza sauce.
Can You Make Taco Bell Mexican Pizza With Ground Beef?
Yes, ground beef is the traditional filling, seasoned with taco seasoning and simmered until thickened before layering.
Can You Make Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Without Meat?
Yes, extra refried beans or a plant-based ground meat substitute work well in place of the beef for a vegetarian version.