How to Make Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat)
Let’s make the Taco Bell Copycat Mexican Pizza
Taco Bell brought us the famous Mexican Pizza in 1985, only to take it away in 2020, and then bring it back in 2022. Naturally, I have trust issues now so I learned how to make it at home two different ways: in an air fryer and in an oven. Honestly really easy and tastes even better!
What is Mexican Pizza?
Taco Bell introduced the world to Mexican Pizza formerly known as Pizzazz Pizza in 1985. Check out this cool piece of history – the original commercial for it back in the 80’s (YouTube)! It is layers of two crispy flour tortilla shells with refried beans, Mexican pizza sauce, seasoned beef, tomatoes, and a melted three-cheese blend. Older iterations also included green onions and olives.
Unfortunately, Taco Bell discontinued it in 2020 citing that the dish contributed to 7 million pounds of paperboard waste each year. After many petitions from fans and improved sustainability practices, Taco Bell brought back the beloved Mexican Pizza in 2022.
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Key Ingredients for Mexican Pizza
In case Taco Bell decides to discontinue the Mexican Pizza again, it is pretty simple to make it yourself. They even sell their seasoning mix and sauces at the grocery stores so you can easily replicate the flavors.
For this recipe I used soft flour tortillas, 80% lean, 20% fat ground beef, Taco Bell’s Taco Seasoning Mix, refried beans, red enchilada sauce for the “Mexican pizza sauce”, Mexican cheese blend (Monterey Jack, cheddar, asadero, and queso quesadilla), roma tomatoes, yellow onions, and green onions.
(left: pan-fried | right: air-fried)
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Air Fryer vs. Stove/Oven
I played around with 2 different methods of cooking the tortillas: air fryer and stove/oven combo. For the air fryer method, I placed a flour tortilla in the air fryer and lightly sprayed avocado oil to both sides. Other oils should work as well. I only put in one tortilla at a time. This is to ensure that they don’t overlap and are able to crisp evenly. As for the stove method, you can deep fry for a chip like texture but I opted to just use a little drizzle of vegetable oil – a little bit healthier and less messy.
Both resulted in a delicious crisp tortilla but the air fryer was better at accomplishing that deep fry texture. The air fryer method is also great because it uses less oil, less splatter, and is quicker. Also for both methods, make sure to push down the tortilla as it cooks so it stays flat and doesn’t puff up. The air fryer and oven were equally great at melting the cheese.
Did you make this recipe? I would love to see! Tag me on IG @feedmi_ or TikTok @feedmi
Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ onion, chopped
- 1 oz Taco Bell Taco Seasoning Mix
- 1 tbs vegetable oil (or oil spray)
- 8 flour tortillas
- 1 can (16 oz) refried beans
- 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 roma tomato, diced
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
AIR FRYER/STOVE INSTRUCTIONS:
- Add tortilla to the air fryer, spray oil on both sides, and cook each side for 2 minutes on 400°F.
- In a pan on medium heat, brown ground beef with onions and taco seasoning.
- Layer tortilla, refried beans, taco meat, another tortilla, enchilada sauce, cheese, tomatoes, and green onions.
- Place into the air-fryer again for 2 minutes at 400°F to melt the cheese.
- Cut into slices & enjoy!
STOVE/OVEN INSTRUCTIONS:
- Add oil to pan on low to medium heat and fry tortillas on each side for 3 minutes until crisp.
- In a pan on medium heat, brown ground beef with onions and taco seasoning.
- Layer tortilla, refried beans, taco meat, another tortilla, red enchilada sauce, cheese, tomatoes, and green onions.
- Broil in the oven for about 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Cut into slices & enjoy!
