Pairing Ideas for Onion Meatballs

Zesty Taco Pizza Recipe: A Flavor Fiesta On Your Plate

Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot more exciting with this mouthwatering taco pizza that blends two beloved favorites into one incredible meal.

Crispy tortillas create the perfect canvas for zesty toppings that dance with flavor.

Spicy ground beef sizzles alongside melted cheese, creating a fusion that will make taste buds sing.

Every bite promises a delightful combination of crunchy and creamy textures that delight the senses.

Fresh ingredients like diced tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro add brightness and color to this crowd-pleasing dish.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dinner.

You’ll want to add this taco pizza to your regular rotation of weeknight meals.

Easy Taco Pizza: Mexican Night With A Cheesy Twist

  • This taco pizza blends two beloved favorites into one crowd-pleasing dish.
  • Swap ingredients like ground turkey, add jalapeños, or swap olives for personalized flavor adventures.
  • Minimal prep work means you can have a delicious dinner on the table in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights.
  • The familiar flavors of tacos combined with pizza create a meal that children and adults will both love without fuss.

Delicious Pizza And Taco Ingredients Combined

Main Ingredients:
  • Crescent Roll Dough: A soft, flaky base that provides the pizza crust foundation for this delicious dish.
  • Ground Beef: A hearty protein that adds rich flavor and substance to the taco pizza.
  • Refried Beans: A creamy, flavorful spread that serves as a delicious base layer for the pizza.
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Taco Seasoning: A zesty blend that infuses the ground beef with classic Mexican-inspired flavors.
Toppings:
  • Tomatoes, Green Olives, Cheese, Green Onions: A colorful combination that adds freshness, texture, and additional flavor to the taco pizza.

Tools For The Tastiest Taco Pizza Creation

  • Baking Dish (9×13 inch): Essential for preparing and baking the taco pizza.
  • Microwave-Safe Bowl: Perfect for heating refried beans quickly.
  • Skillet: Ideal for browning ground beef and cooking with taco seasoning.
  • Spatula: Helps stir meat and spread beans evenly.
  • Cutting Board: Used for chopping tomatoes and green onions.
  • Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing toppings precisely.
  • Measuring Spoons: Useful for adding taco seasoning accurately.

Making Taco Pizza: Simple, Flavorful Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to 375°F and grab a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Crispy Crust

Unroll the crescent roll dough and carefully press it into the baking dish.

Pinch those seams together to create one smooth, delicious base.

Step 3: Brown the Beef

Grab a skillet and cook the ground beef until it’s completely browned.

Drain away any extra grease to keep things nice and lean.

Step 4: Spice Up the Meat

Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and let the beef simmer for a couple of minutes.

The kitchen will start smelling amazing!

Step 5: Warm the Beans

Pop the refried beans into a microwave-safe bowl.

Warm them up until they’re smooth and spreadable.

Step 6: Build the Pizza Base

Spread those warm beans evenly across the crescent roll crust.

Layer the seasoned beef on top, creating a delicious foundation.

Step 7: First Bake

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 20 minutes.

The crust will start to get golden and crispy.

Step 8: Add the Finishing Touches

Top your pizza with:
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Sliced olives
  • Shredded cheese

Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese melts and the crust turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle some chopped green onions over the top for a fresh, zesty finish.

Slice up this flavor-packed taco pizza and get ready to devour!

Tricks For Extra-Crispy Taco Pizza Crusts

  • Carefully pinch crescent roll dough edges together to prevent ingredients from leaking during baking.
  • Remove all excess grease from ground beef to keep the pizza base crisp and prevent sogginess.
  • Warm refried beans before spreading to make application smoother and more even across the crust.
  • Sprinkle cheese during the last 5-10 minutes of baking to achieve perfect golden, melty texture without burning.
  • Add green onions after baking to maintain their crisp texture and bright flavor, enhancing the overall dish presentation.

Taco Pizza Variations To Suit Any Palate

  • Vegetarian Taco Pizza: Replace ground beef with black beans or crumbled tofu, using vegetable taco seasoning for a plant-based protein option.
  • Gluten-Free Taco Pizza: Swap crescent roll dough with gluten-free pizza crust or cauliflower crust, ensuring all seasonings are gluten-free certified.
  • Spicy Southwest Taco Pizza: Add jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, and include chipotle seasoning for an extra kick of heat and flavor.
  • Chicken Taco Pizza: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken or seasoned ground chicken for a lighter protein alternative.

Serving Taco Pizza For Parties Or Casual Dinners

  • Party Platter Perfection: Create a vibrant taco pizza station with various toppings like diced jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa for guests to customize their slices.
  • Fiesta Family Meal: Serve alongside Mexican-style rice, corn salad, or crisp green salad to balance the hearty pizza and add more variety to the meal.
  • Game Day Delight: Cut into smaller squares for easy finger food during sports watch parties, movie nights, or casual gatherings with friends and family.
  • Leftover Magic: Reheat cold slices in a skillet for crispy edges or quickly warm in the oven to maintain the crust's texture and enjoy the next day.

Best Ways To Store And Reheat Taco Pizza

  • Store leftover taco pizza in an airtight container, covering tightly with plastic wrap or lid. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days maximum for best quality and food safety.
  • Wrap individual slices in aluminum foil, then place in freezer-safe plastic bag. Frozen taco pizza maintains good texture for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
  • Restore crispy crust by warming slices at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Place directly on oven rack or baking sheet for even heating and crisp texture.
  • Heat individual slices for 30-45 seconds on microwave-safe plate. Add small cup of water nearby to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.

FAQs

  • Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works perfectly in this recipe. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly and drain any excess fat.

  • Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! This taco pizza combines two kid-favorite foods – tacos and pizza – making it an exciting meal that children typically love. The simple ingredients and cheesy topping make it appealing to young eaters.

  • How can I make this dish spicier?

To add more heat, use a hot taco seasoning blend, sprinkle some diced jalapeños on top, or add a few dashes of hot sauce before serving. You can customize the spice level to suit your taste.

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Pairing Ideas for Onion Meatballs

Easy Taco Pizza Recipe


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4.8 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Savory taco pizza combines Mexican and Italian flavors in one delightful dish. Quick preparation and simple ingredients make this meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings you’ll love to share.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 1 can refried beans
  • 2 cups shredded cheese

Seasoning:

  • 1 packet taco seasoning

Toppings:

  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup black olives, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Unroll crescent roll dough across the entire baking dish, carefully pressing seams together to create a seamless crust foundation.
  3. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly breaking down meat into small crumbles and eliminating excess fat through draining.
  4. Incorporate taco seasoning into the cooked beef, allowing mixture to simmer and develop rich flavors for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Warm refried beans in microwave for 45-60 seconds, stirring midway to ensure uniform heating.
  6. Distribute heated beans evenly across the prepared dough, creating a smooth base layer, then generously spread seasoned beef over the beans.
  7. Bake the initial layer for 20 minutes until dough begins to set, then strategically arrange diced tomatoes, sliced olives, and shredded cheese across the surface.
  8. Return to oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, monitoring until crust turns golden brown and cheese melts completely.
  9. Remove from oven, sprinkle fresh chopped green onions as a vibrant garnish, and slice into serving portions.

Notes

  • Customize the crust by using gluten-free crescent rolls for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this tasty dish.
  • Swap ground beef with lean turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version without compromising flavor.
  • Enhance nutrition by adding extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach, which blend seamlessly with the taco-style toppings and boost overall meal value.
  • Use low-fat cheese and reduced-sodium taco seasoning to make this recipe more diet-friendly while maintaining its delicious southwestern flair.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed

Founder & Food Content Creator

Expertise

Single-recipe development, Seasonal and local ingredient utilization, Food photography and styling, Culinary writing and content creation​

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, WV
Focus: Fundamentals of culinary techniques, emphasizing hands-on experience in small-scale kitchen settings.


Marcus’s story begins in Asheville, where good food and family kitchens shaped his earliest memories. After hands-on culinary training and a lot of trial (and a little error), he realized that real cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
At Pan and Oven, Marcus crafts recipes that are easy to follow, packed with flavor, and built for real kitchens.

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