Easy Mexican Pizza

These Easy Mexican Pizzas bring together crispy fried flour tortillas, seasoned ground beef, creamy refried beans, and melted Colby Jack cheese topped with fresh tomatoes and green onions. The spices like cumin, chili powder, and cayenne give the beef a perfect balance of heat and deep flavor, while the refried beans add a smooth contrast. This dish is a fun and hearty twist on taco night that comes together quickly and pleases the whole family with layers of texture and taste.

I first made this when I wanted to shake up our usual taco Tuesday. The crispy tortillas and gooey cheese quickly made it a family favorite that everyone now asks for regularly.

Ingredients

• One pound ground beef: lean for less grease and better texture
• One chopped onion: adds natural sweetness and depth to the beef
• Salt and pepper: essential for enhancing all the flavors
• Chili powder: provides classic taco heat, choose fresh ground for the best aroma
• Cumin and dried cilantro: lend earthy and herbaceous notes use good quality spices
• Cayenne pepper: adds a mild kick, adjust to your spice preference
• One tablespoon minced garlic: offers aromatic punchy flavor
• Small fajita size flour tortillas: fry up crisp and sturdy for layering, look for fresh ones without cracks
• One can refried beans: creamy base layer for texture and moisture, vegetarian if preferred
• Taco sauce: brings tang and spice, pick your favorite brand or make your own
• Two cups shredded Colby Jack cheese: melts beautifully creating that irresistible gooey texture, freshly shredded cheese works best
• Diced tomatoes: fresh topping for color and brightness
• Chopped green onions: adds freshness and crunch
• Vegetable oil: neutral oil with a high smoke point perfect for frying tortillas

Instructions

Sauté the Onion and Brown the Beef:

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook the beef completely, breaking it up with a spatula until no pink remains. Drain off excess grease to keep the filling from being oily.

Season the Meat:

Sprinkle salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, dried cilantro, and cayenne over the browned beef and onions. Add the minced garlic and mix well to combine evenly. Let it cook for another minute to allow the spices to bloom and deepen in flavor.

Fry the Tortillas:

Pour enough vegetable oil into a separate skillet to cover the bottom and heat over medium heat. Fry each flour tortilla for about one to two minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to carefully flip, then transfer to paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Prepare the Bean Layer:

Warm the refried beans slightly to soften and loosen the texture so they spread easily on the tortillas.

Assemble the Mexican Pizzas:

Place a fried tortilla on a baking sheet. Spread a layer of refried beans evenly over it. Add a scoop of the seasoned beef on top of the beans and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Top with a second fried tortilla. Spoon taco sauce over this top tortilla and sprinkle more shredded cheese.

Bake to Melt:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the assembled pizzas for about 10 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles to a golden perfection.

Add Fresh Toppings and Serve:

Remove the pizzas from the oven and immediately sprinkle diced tomatoes and chopped green onions on top for a fresh vibrant finish. Slice each pizza into quarters and serve while warm.

The fried tortilla is my favorite part. The first time I made this I saw my family’s eyes light up at the crispy, crunchy layers. It gave taco night a fun new dimension that quickly became a treasured tradition for us.

Storage Tips

Store any leftover Mexican Pizzas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, use an oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit to restore the tortilla’s crispy texture instead of microwaving which can make them soggy.

Ingredient Substitutions

Ground turkey or chicken works well if you want a lighter meat option. Black beans or pinto beans can replace refried beans and bring a different texture. Corn tortillas may be used but can be more fragile when fried, so handle gently. If you want a different cheese, shredded mozzarella or a Mexican cheese blend will melt nicely too.

Serving Suggestions

These pizzas go beautifully with Spanish rice or a crisp green salad dressed with lime vinaigrette. Guacamole and sour cream make great side toppings to add cooling creaminess. A cold Mexican beer or sparkling water with lime is a refreshing drink choice that pairs nicely.

Freshly shred your cheese for the best melting and toss on fresh toppings before serving for brightness. These pizzas are easy to customize and perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.

Common Questions About the Recipe

→ What tortillas are best for this dish?

Small fajita size flour tortillas fry up crisp and sturdy, making them ideal to hold layers without breaking.

→ Can I use other proteins besides ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey or shredded chicken provide lighter options and still blend well with the spices.

→ How do I make the tortillas crispy without deep frying?

Lightly frying tortillas in a small amount of vegetable oil until golden on both sides locks in crispiness with less oil absorption.

→ Which cheese melts best for this dish?

Colby Jack cheese melts smoothly with a mild flavor, though cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend can also be used.

→ What spices enhance the meat filling?

A blend of chili powder, cumin, dried cilantro, cayenne, salt, pepper, and minced garlic creates a robust and aromatic flavor.

→ How long should the layered dish be baked?

Bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes to melt cheese fully and warm all layers evenly without overcooking.