Mini Mexican Pizzas
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The other day, I found myself staring into the kitchen, trying to decide what to make for lunch. With the kids home for summer break, my usual quick fix—rice cakes—just wasn’t going to cut it. And since my crew has been raised by a foodie, the classic peanut butter and jam routine can’t be on repeat every day either. I needed something fun, flavorful, and just a little unexpected.
That’s when I spotted a few leftover hamburger buns sitting on the counter, practically begging to be used. Inspiration struck: mini Mexican pizzas. Hamburger buns make a surprisingly perfect base for mini pizzas—soft in the middle, slightly crisp on the edges—and if you don’t have them, English muffins work beautifully too. A quick peek in the fridge revealed some leftover taco meat from the night before, and just like that, lunch was decided.
These little pizzas came together in minutes—topped with taco seasoned ground beef, cheese, and a few extra fixings—and the result was a warm, melty, flavor-packed lunch that disappeared almost as quickly as I made it. They were easy, delicious, and most importantly, kid-approved. Sometimes the best meals are the ones you create on the fly with what you already have on hand.
Ingredients for Mini Mexican Pizzas
- LEFTOVER HAMBURGER BUNS (OR YOU CAN USE ENGLISH MUFFINS)
- TOMATO SAUCE
- TACO SEASONING
- SHREDDED CHEESE
- LEFTOVER TACO MEAT (IT CAN BE WHATEVER YOU HAVE CHICKEN, PORK, GROUND BEEF, ETC)
- ANY OTHER TOPPINGS YOU MAY HAVE AROUND THE HOUSE LIKE ONION, GREEN PEPPER, OLIVES, TOMATOES, ETC.
Instructions for Mini Mexican Pizzas
Make the sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the taco seasoning and tomato sauce until well blended. This will be your flavorful pizza base.
Prep the bread: Split each hamburger bun or English muffin in half and place them cut-side up on a baking sheet.
Assemble the pizzas: Spread a spoonful of the seasoned sauce over each half. Sprinkle generously with shredded cheese, then add any toppings you have on hand—leftover taco meat, diced peppers, olives, or whatever your family loves.
Bake or broil:
- Bake at 350°F until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 8–10 minutes.
- Or broil for a quicker option—just keep the oven rack in the center so the cheese melts evenly without burning.
Serve and enjoy: Remove from the oven and serve warm. These are great with a side of salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for dipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use something other than hamburger buns for the base? Yes! English muffins, bagels, pita bread, or even thick slices of French bread work wonderfully. Just adjust baking time slightly depending on thickness.
Do I have to use leftover taco meat? Not at all. You can use cooked ground beef, chicken, or turkey with taco seasoning. It’s also a great way to use up leftover fajita meat or shredded rotisserie chicken.
What toppings work best? Shredded cheese (cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend) is a must, but you can also add diced peppers, onions, black olives, jalapeños, green onion, cilantro, or corn. Let everyone customize their own for a fun, interactive meal.
Can I make these ahead of time? You can assemble them a few hours in advance and store them in the fridge. Bake or broil just before serving so the bread stays crisp.
Is it better to bake or broil? Baking at 350°F gives you a more even melt and crisp, while broiling is faster but requires close attention to avoid burning. If broiling, keep the rack in the center of the oven for best results.
Can I freeze mini pizzas? Yes! Assemble them without baking, freeze on a tray until solid, then store in a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen at 350°F until heated through and cheese is melted.
What can I serve with these? They’re great with a side of salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping. Add a simple salad or fresh fruit to round out the meal.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
Mini Mexican Pizzas
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 leftover hamburger buns or you can buy some just to make these, or you can use English muffins
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp taco seasoning
- shredded cheese
- leftover taco meat it can be whatever you have chicken, pork, ground beef, etc
- any other toppings you may have around the house like onion green pepper, olives, tomatoes, etc.
Instructions
- Mix taco seasoning with tomato sauce. Split open each bun or English muffin and spread with sauce. Top with cheese followed by any toppings you may have.
- Bake at 350 degrees or broil until the cheese is melty. (My tip for broiling is to keep the rack in the center of the oven. This way you don’t end up with burnt cheese)
