Taco pizza combines two favorites—cheesy pizzas and flavorful tacos—into one delicious slice. It’s bold, cheesy, and packed with the best taco toppings, all baked on a golden pizza crust. With layers of refried beans, seasoned ground beef, salsa, and loads of melted cheese, every bite delivers that classic taco flavor in pizza form.
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This one is always a hit in my kitchen. It’s the kind of recipe I turn to when I want something quick, hearty, and guaranteed to please hungry mouths. The flavor is rich, the texture is layered, and you can adjust the heat or toppings to fit your mood. Whether it’s game night, a chill weekend lunch, or just one of those weeknights where dinner needs to be fun and fast, this recipe never lets me down.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Taco Pizza
I love how simple this pizza recipe is. You only need a few basic ingredients and one pan to pull it all together. Here’s how to make it step by step.
Prep the crust
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll or press the pizza dough onto a greased pizza pan or baking sheet. I like to stretch it out to the edges so there’s more room for toppings. Par-bake the crust for 8 minutes so it holds up well under all those layers.
If you have a pizza stone, this is a good time to pull it out—it gives you that perfectly crisp underside. No pizza stone? A nonstick perforated pizza pan works great too and makes cleanup way easier. And if you’re cooking outside, I use a gas-powered pizza oven, which turns out fire-blistered crusts in minutes.
Cook the taco meat
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. I swear by this meat chopper tool for that; it makes it so much easier to get those evenly sized crumbles without wrecking your spatula.
Drain off any extra fat. Stir in the taco seasoning and a splash of water if needed (check the seasoning packet), then let it simmer for a minute or two so the flavor really soaks in. I use my cast iron skillet for this—it heats evenly, gives great browning, and basically lives on my stove.
Build your pizza
Spread the refried beans across the warm crust. The beans are easier to work with if you heat them slightly first. I warm mine in one of these microwave-safe glass bowls with lids—they go from microwave to fridge without any extra dishes.
Spoon salsa evenly over the beans—this adds a little kick and moisture. Then add your seasoned ground beef on top, spreading it out so you get some in every bite.
Add the cheese and olives
Sprinkle your Mexican blend cheese generously over the meat. A mix of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella is great for that gooey, stretchy goodness. Add sliced black olives for a salty bite that pops.
I always grate the cheese fresh using this box grater with a container; it makes a noticeable difference, catches all the cheese, and it doesn’t slide around the counter like some others do.
Bake again
Pop the pizza back into the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden-brown. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overcook—you’re aiming for melty and crisp, not crunchy.
Finish with toppings
Once it’s out of the oven, it’s time for the fun part: toppings. I like adding diced tomatoes, chopped red onion, fresh cilantro, sour cream, and avocado slices. You can even crush some tortilla chips or Doritos on top for extra crunch.
For the avocado, I use this 3-in-1 slicer, no more slippery pits or weird slices. And to cut the finished pizza cleanly without dragging cheese and toppings everywhere, I reach for this rocker-style pizza cutter, way easier than those little wheels.
Taco Pizza
Add Preferred SourceEquipment
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup refried beans
- ¼ cup salsa
- 2 cups Mexican blend cheese
- ¼ cup olives sliced
Optional toppings:
- Diced tomatoes
- Fresh cilantro
- Sour cream
- Avocado
- Red onions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll or press the pizza dough onto a greased pizza pan or baking sheet. Par-bake for 8 minutes, then remove from the oven.1 pizza dough
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for 1–2 more minutes until fully combined.1 pound ground beef, 1 packet taco seasoning
- Spread a layer of refried beans over the pre-baked crust. Spoon salsa evenly over the beans. Add the seasoned beef on top, then sprinkle with shredded cheese and sliced olives.1 cup refried beans, ¼ cup salsa, 2 cups Mexican blend cheese, ¼ cup olives
- Return the pizza to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden.
- Remove from the oven and finish with your favorite taco toppings—like fresh tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, sour cream, or onions.Diced tomatoes, Fresh cilantro, Sour cream, Avocado, Red onions
Video
Notes
- Taco Meat: You can swap ground beef with ground turkey or shredded chicken. Just add taco seasoning and cook as usual.
- Cheese: A blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack works great. Use what you love!
- Crispier Crust: For extra crunch, bake your pizza on the lowest oven rack.
- Spice It Up: Add jalapeños or a sprinkle of chili powder if you like heat.
- Refried Beans Spread: Warm the beans slightly in a small bowl before spreading so they go on smooth and don’t tear the crust.
- More Toppings: Feel free to add bell peppers, jalapeños, green onions, or crushed tortilla chips. Even a drizzle of hot sauce works!
- Sauce Swap: No salsa? Use a little pizza sauce mixed with taco seasoning as a quick fix.
- Party Style: Cut into small squares and serve as an appetizer or game day snack.
- Make Ahead: You can prep the crust and cook the taco meat ahead, then assemble and bake when you’re ready to eat.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Fridge: Let the pizza cool completely, then wrap slices in foil or place them in an airtight container. Pop them in the fridge and they’ll stay tasty for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: You can also freeze it after baking. Let it cool, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: To reheat, use the oven or a skillet on medium heat to bring back that crispy crust—microwaving works too, but the crust will be softer.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Tips
I’ve made this taco pizza every way you can think of, and here are a few notes to make it even better:
- Taco Meat: You can swap ground beef with ground turkey or shredded chicken. Just add taco seasoning and cook as usual.
- Cheese: A blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack works great. Use what you love!
- Crispier Crust: For extra crunch, bake your pizza on the lowest oven rack.
- Spice It Up: Add jalapeños or a sprinkle of chili powder if you like heat.
- Refried Beans Spread: Warm the beans slightly in a small bowl before spreading so they go on smooth and don’t tear the crust.
- More Toppings: Feel free to add bell peppers, jalapeños, green onions, or crushed tortilla chips. Even a drizzle of hot sauce works!
- Sauce Swap: No salsa? Use a little pizza sauce mixed with taco seasoning as a quick fix.
- Party Style: Cut into small squares and serve as an appetizer or game day snack.
- Make Ahead: You can prep the crust and cook the taco meat ahead, then assemble and bake when you’re ready to eat.
How to Store Leftover Taco Pizza
Leftover taco pizza stores really well. Let the pizza cool completely, then wrap slices in foil or place them in an airtight container. Pop them in the fridge and they’ll stay tasty for up to 3 days.
You can also freeze it after baking. Let it cool, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, use the oven or a skillet on medium heat to bring back that crispy crust—microwaving works too, but the crust will be softer.
What to Serve With Taco Pizza
Taco pizza is pretty filling on its own, but it’s even better with a simple side. A Mexican street corn salad or some Buffalo chicken nachos work great.
You could also serve it with tortilla chips and guacamole or a queso dip for a full-on taco night dinner.
More Mexican Recipes You Will Love
If you liked this taco pizza, I’ve got a few more easy and tasty ideas you’ll want to try:
