Easy Loaded Taco Pizza
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Two family favorites come together in one simple dinner with this Easy Loaded Taco Pizza. It brings all the flavors of taco night to pizza-style, and a shelf-stable pizza crust keeps prep quick and easy. Top the crust with creamy refried beans, seasoned taco meat, crunchy tortilla chips, and plenty of shredded cheese.
After about 10 minutes in the oven, the cheese melts, and the pizza is hot and ready for all your favorite fresh taco toppings. Finish it with shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, diced tomatoes, or anything else your family loves on tacos. It is an easy way to change up taco night while still using simple ingredients everyone enjoys.
I will say, this pizza gets loaded up with so many toppings that it can be a little messy to pick up and eat like a traditional slice. Once you add the lettuce, sour cream, salsa, tomatoes, and any other favorite taco toppings, it is definitely easiest to enjoy with a fork. It may not be the neatest pizza, but all of those layers are what make it so good. Serve it for pizza night or taco Tuesday!
Ingredients for Easy Loaded Taco Pizza
- LEAN GROUND BEEF – Ground beef makes the pizza hearty and filling. Once seasoned, it brings the familiar flavor of taco meat to every slice.
- TACO SEASONING – Taco seasoning adds a blend of spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic, and onion to the ground beef. It is an easy way to build plenty of flavor without measuring several individual spices.
- SALSA – Salsa adds moisture, acidity, and a little heat to the taco. Use mild, medium, or hot depending on how spicy you want the pizza.
- SHELF-STABLE PIZZA CRUST – A shelf-stable pizza crust makes this recipe especially quick and easy because there is no dough to mix, rise, or roll out. It gives you a sturdy base that can hold all of the taco toppings.
- REFRIED BEANS – Refried beans add a creamy, savory layer and help give the pizza that classic taco flavor. They also help the other toppings stay in place.
- TORTILLA CHIPS – Crushed tortilla chips add a salty crunch and make the pizza feel even more like taco night.
- SHREDDED CHEESE – Shredded cheese melts over the taco meat and chips, helping tie all the layers together. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend all work well.
- SHREDDED LETTUCE – Lettuce adds a cool, fresh crunch that contrasts nicely with the hot, cheesy pizza.
- SOUR CREAM – Sour cream adds a cool, creamy finish and helps balance the taco seasoning and salsa.
- TOMATO OR MORE SALSA – Fresh diced tomato adds color, juiciness, and freshness, while extra salsa gives you even more taco flavor. Use whichever you prefer or have on hand.
Instructions for Easy Loaded Taco Pizza Recipe
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is fully browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
Stir in the taco seasoning and salsa. If the mixture seems too thick, add a small splash of water. The amount needed will depend on how thick your salsa is. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes, then remove it from the heat and set aside.
Microwave the refried beans for about 1 minute, or until easy to spread.
Line a pizza pan or baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, then place the shelf-stable pizza crust on top.
Spread the warmed refried beans evenly over the crust. Spoon the taco meat mixture over the beans, then top with crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheese.
Bake for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is fully melted.
Remove the pizza from the oven and top with shredded lettuce, sour cream, and diced tomatoes or additional salsa. Cut into 4 slices and serve warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different kind of pizza crust for this easy meal?
Yes. A pre-baked refrigerated crust, homemade pizza dough, flatbread, or naan can all work. Just adjust the baking time as needed.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely. You can season ground turkey, or even ground chicken, with taco seasoning and salsa the same way.
What kind of cheese works best?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend are all good choices because they melt well and pair nicely with the taco flavors.
Can I make this pizza ahead of time?
You can prepare the taco meat and other toppings ahead of time, but it is best to assemble and bake the pizza just before serving so the crust and tortilla chips stay crisp.
Can I make this pizza spicier?
Yes. Use hot salsa, spicy taco seasoning, Pepper Jack cheese, jalapeños, or hot sauce.
Can I leave off the tortilla chips?
Yes. They add crunch, but the pizza will still be delicious without them.
What other toppings can I add?
Try avocado, guacamole, sliced olives, green onions, cilantro, jalapeños, or diced red onion.
How should I store leftovers?
Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If possible, remove fresh toppings like lettuce and sour cream before reheating.
What is the best way to reheat taco pizza?
Reheat it in the oven or air fryer to help the crust crisp back up. Add fresh lettuce, sour cream, and salsa after reheating.
Tips and Tricks
- Warm the refried beans before spreading. Warm beans spread much more easily over the crust and are less likely to tear or pull at it.
- Drain the ground beef well. Removing excess grease keeps the pizza from becoming heavy or soggy.
- Add the fresh toppings after baking. Wait until the pizza comes out of the oven before adding lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, or extra salsa so they stay fresh and cool.
- Crush the tortilla chips just before adding them. This helps them stay crunchy and adds nice textural contrast.
- Let the pizza rest for a couple of minutes before slicing. A short rest helps the cheese and toppings settle, making the slices easier to cut and serve without everything sliding off.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
Easy Loaded Taco Pizza
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ lb ground beef
- 1 Tbsp taco seasoning
- â…“ cup salsa
- 1 shelf-stable pizza crust
- 16 oz can refried beans
- 2 cups tortilla chips roughly crushed
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups lettuce shredded
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 roma tomato seeds removed and diced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add in the taco seasoning and salsa. Add a little water if needed. This depends on how wet your salsa is. Simmer for a few minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Microwave the beans for 1 minute to warm. Line a pizza pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup and place the crust on the parchment paper.
- Spread the warmed beans over the crust. Then top with the prepared taco meat. Top with a layer of crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheese.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Top the pizza with lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes or salsa. Cut the pizza into 4 slices and serve.
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from Southern Plate.
