What kind of cheese does Taco Bell use on Mexican Pizza?

Taco Bell uses a three-cheese blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and Monterey Jack. A standard Mexican cheese blend from the grocery store works perfectly as a substitute and melts just as well.

Can I make Taco Bell Mexican Pizza in an air fryer?

Yes, fry the tortillas in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes until crispy. Assemble the pizzas and air fry at 350°F for 5-6 minutes until the cheese melts, checking frequently to prevent burning.

Why was the Mexican Pizza discontinued and brought back?

Taco Bell removed the Mexican Pizza in 2020 citing packaging waste concerns, but overwhelming customer demand and a petition with over 170,000 signatures led to its return in 2022. The item has since become a permanent menu fixture.

What's the difference between a Mexican Pizza and a tostada?

While both use crispy tortillas, a Mexican Pizza has two layers of tortillas with filling sandwiched between them, plus pizza-style toppings. A tostada uses just one flat crispy tortilla as a base with toppings piled on top.

Can I make this vegetarian like Taco Bell offers?

Absolutely - replace the ground beef with black beans or pinto beans, or use plant-based ground meat. Taco Bell's vegetarian version substitutes beans for beef and tastes just as authentic.

Taco Bell Copycat

·entree

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

Name: Mexican Pizza
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 Mexican pizzas
Ingredients: 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz); 1 tablespoon white vinegar; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 pound ground beef; 2 tablespoons minced onion; 1 packet taco seasoning; 3/4 cup water; 1 can refried beans (16 oz); 8 flour tortillas; 2 cups Mexican cheese blend; 1/2 cup roma tomatoes; 1/4 cup green onions; Vegetable oil for frying

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza recipe brings the beloved fast-food favorite right to your kitchen with crispy tortilla layers, seasoned beef, refried beans, and that signature tangy red sauce. This iconic menu item, which has gained cult status among Taco Bell fans, combines the best elements of pizza and Mexican cuisine in one satisfying dish. The restaurant's version features perfectly crispy flour tortillas sandwiching layers of seasoned ground beef and beans, topped with melted cheese, diced tomatoes, and green onions. Making this at home lets you enjoy that same combination of textures and flavors whenever a craving strikes, and you can even customize it to your taste preferences while keeping that authentic Taco Bell flavor profile intact.

Prep

15 min

Cook

20 min

Total

35 min

Servings

Yield

4 Mexican pizzas

Difficulty

Easy

Equipment: Large skillet · Baking sheet · Small saucepan · Spatula · Can opener

Ingredients

For the Sauce

tomato sauce (8 oz)1 can

white vinegar1 tablespoon

chili powder1 teaspoon

ground cumin1/2 teaspoon

garlic powder1/2 teaspoon

onion powder1/2 teaspoon

cayenne pepper — adjust to taste1/4 teaspoon

salt1/4 teaspoon

For the Filling

ground beef — 85/15 blend1 pound

minced onion2 tablespoons

taco seasoning — or 2 tablespoons homemade1 packet

water3/4 cup

refried beans (16 oz)1 can

flour tortillas — 6-inch, taco size8

For Assembly

Mexican cheese blend — shredded2 cups

roma tomatoes — diced small1/2 cup

green onions — sliced thin1/4 cup

for frying — about 1/2 cupVegetable oil

Instructions

Make the Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine tomato sauce, vinegar, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly and develop a deep red color. This tangy sauce is key to replicating Taco Bell's signature flavor - the vinegar gives it that distinctive fast-food taste.

Cook the Beef

Brown ground beef and minced onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes, breaking meat into small pieces. Drain excess fat, then add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes until the liquid reduces and the meat is well-coated. The mixture should be moist but not soupy - this prevents soggy tortillas.

Warm the Beans

Heat refried beans in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if needed to achieve a spreadable consistency. The beans should be warm and smooth, similar to a thick sauce. Keep warm while preparing tortillas.

Fry the Tortillas

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tortillas one at a time for 30-45 seconds per side until golden brown and crispy. They should puff slightly and develop brown spots. Drain on paper towels and work quickly - the tortillas crisp more as they cool.

Assemble the Base

For each pizza, spread 3 tablespoons warm beans on one crispy tortilla. Add 1/4 cup seasoned beef on top of beans, spreading evenly. Cover with a second crispy tortilla, pressing gently to adhere. The layers should stick together but not squish out the sides.

Add Toppings and Bake

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place assembled pizzas on a baking sheet. Spread 2 tablespoons sauce on each top tortilla, then sprinkle with 1/3 cup cheese. Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese melts and edges are crispy. The cheese should be bubbly and starting to brown in spots.

Finish and Serve

Remove from oven and immediately top with diced tomatoes and green onions while cheese is still hot. Let cool for 2 minutes before cutting - this prevents the filling from sliding out. Cut each pizza into quarters using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

Pro tips for authenticity

▸The key to authenticity is frying the tortillas until truly crispy - soft tortillas will make the whole thing soggy and nothing like the original

▸Can't find taco-sized flour tortillas? Cut burrito-size tortillas down to 6-inch rounds using a bowl as a template

▸Assemble and freeze the pizzas before adding sauce and cheese for a quick weeknight meal - just add toppings and bake from frozen, adding 3-4 minutes

▸Don't overload with toppings - too much filling makes the pizzas impossible to eat and causes the crispy tortillas to soften

▸Serve with sour cream, guacamole, and hot sauce on the side just like at Taco Bell

▸For extra authenticity, use mild taco sauce instead of hot sauce - Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza traditionally uses their mild sauce

Refrigerator

Store assembled pizzas without fresh toppings in an airtight container for up to 3 days

Freezer

Freezes well for up to 2 months - wrap individually and reheat in oven

Reheat

Reheat in 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes until crispy again - microwave makes them soggy

Nutrition per serving

485

Calories

24g

Protein

42g

Carbs

23g

Fat

Fiber

1240mg

Sodium

How does it compare to the real thing?

This homemade version captures about 90% of the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza experience. The flavors are spot-on, especially the tangy sauce and seasoned beef that define the original. The main difference is achieving that perfectly uniform crispiness Taco Bell gets from their specialized equipment - home-fried tortillas can be slightly uneven but actually taste fresher. The cheese blend and toppings are identical to what you'd get at the restaurant. Some fans actually prefer the homemade version because you can control the amount of each topping and ensure the tortillas are extra crispy, something that varies by location at Taco Bell.

Frequently asked questions

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