Introduction
Craving the tantalizing flavors of Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza, but prefer a homemade touch? Look no further! This recipe guide will take you through creating your own Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas, blending the convenience of fast food with the charm of home cooking. Perfect for family dinners or a fun cooking project with friends, these Mexican pizzas are sure to be a hit. Plus, they offer the added bonus of tweaking the recipe to suit your taste buds – spicier, cheesier, or even with a vegetarian twist. Let’s embark on this culinary journey to recreate a fast-food favorite right in your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Mexican Pizza:
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup diced green chilies (optional)
- Cooking oil for frying
For the Taco Bell-Style Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons diced pickled jalapeños
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
Directions and How to Prepare
For the Taco Bell-Style Sauce:
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, diced pickled jalapeños, sugar, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Adjust the spiciness and seasoning as desired. Refrigerate until needed.
For the Mexican Pizza: 2. Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in taco seasoning mix and water. Simmer until thickened, then remove from heat.
- In another skillet, fry each tortilla in a small amount of oil until slightly crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Spread refried beans on one tortilla.
- Top with another tortilla, then add seasoned ground beef.
- Add a third tortilla on top.
- Spread Taco Bell-style sauce generously.
- Sprinkle with a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Add diced tomatoes, black olives, green onions, and green chilies (optional).
- Broil in the oven until cheese melts and edges are crispy.
- Remove, cool slightly, and slice into wedges.
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings
Yields 4 Mexican Pizzas.
FAQs
- Can I make this vegetarian? Yes! Replace the ground beef with a plant-based substitute or extra beans.
- How can I store leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
- Can I use a different type of cheese? Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite cheese blend.
- Is it possible to make the pizzas less spicy? Yes, adjust the cayenne pepper in the sauce to your liking.
- Can I prepare these in advance? Yes, you can assemble the pizzas and refrigerate them. Just add a few minutes to the broiling time.
Conclusion
There you have it – a delightful Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza recipe that brings the essence of your favorite fast food right into your home kitchen. These pizzas are not just about replicating a beloved menu item; they’re about creating memories in the kitchen, experimenting with flavors, and enjoying a meal that’s both familiar and uniquely yours. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner, a weekend party, or just a craving for something deliciously different, these Mexican pizzas are sure to please. Gather your ingredients, don your apron, and get ready to enjoy a feast of flavors!