Skip to Content

Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat)

This delicious and easy Mexican pizza recipe is the perfect Taco Bell copycat recipe that’s ready in 15 minutes and the perfect fusion between pizza and tacos. This quick recipe uses mini tortilla wraps with enchilada mince, refried beans, and cheese for a slightly healthy and homemade alternative to the popular Taco Bell Mexican pizza.

An overhead shot of this copycat taco bell Mexican pizza served on a chopping board

This Taco Bell Mexican pizza recipe would be so delicious paired with this creamy jalapeno sauce recipe or even this nacho cheese dip. If you love a copycat recipe, make sure you’ve also tried these Five Guys cajun fries

You might also like this one-pot vegetarian taco bowl recipe, Mexican pinto beans, and this black bean burrito.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

The exact quantities of the ingredients you need for this recipe are included in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here, I’ve added a few notes on the ingredients you need, plus a few potential substitutions you could make if you can’t eat/find a certain ingredient.

  • Ground “Beef”:  Since I’m vegetarian, I used vegetarian mince for this recipe, but use whatever suits you and your diet best. We mix the ground “beef” with seasonings and enchilada sauce, along with some cream cheese, for a creamy, spicy mixture to add to the middle of the Mexican pizza.
  • Seasonings: The seasonings I used for this recipe are paprika, cumin, cayenne chili powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano. You could use a taco seasoning mixture or omit the cayenne chili powder for less spice.
  • Enchilada Sauce: Any brand of enchilada sauce is perfect for this recipe, giving you that perfectly spicy, tomato sauce for the Mexican pizzas. If you can’t find enchilada sauce, you could use salsa or even passata for a milder version.
  • Cream cheese: I love adding a scoop of cream cheese to the ground beef mixture for this recipe, giving it a thick and creamy texture. You could also use sour cream or even just heavy cream, or omit it completely if you prefer.
  • Tortilla wraps: I would recommend using mini tortilla wraps for this recipe, as these make picking up and eating your Mexican pizza far more manageable (large tortilla wraps may make the center sag when you pick it up and the filling fall out!). I use white flour tortillas – corn tortillas could also work.
  • Cheese: I simply used grated cheddar cheese for this recipe. Mozzarella would also be a good option, as would a spicy cheese like monetary Jack!
  • Refried beans: A layer of refried beans on the inside of your tortilla pizza helps it all stick together as well as adding a delicious element of flavor. You can have tortilla wraps without beans, I say!
  • Toppings: You could either leave your Mexican pizza with just the cheese on top, or, like I did, add pico de gallo, jalapenos, and crushed nacho chips for added flavor and texture. A small bowl of sour cream or guacamole would also be nice to dip!

Variations

Instead of the toppings listed above, others that could work well in this recipe include: mushrooms, sliced peppers, a meat-free “pepperoni”, pulled jackfruit, sweetcorn, ground tofu crumbles, or even a swirl of hot sauce.

To make this recipe vegan, use a vegan mince and cream cheese alternative and your favorite vegan cheese.

How To Make This Mexican Tortilla Pizza Recipe

Again, the exact step-by-step instructions and ingredient quantities will be in the recipe card at the bottom of this page. Below is an overview of making this recipe, plus some process shots to help you visualize how this recipe should turn out.

Step 1) Make the Filling

Heat your oil in a pan and add in whatever ground beef version you are using. I used vegetarian mince (such as Quorn mince or any other brand), but if you aren’t vegetarian or vegan you could use ground beef. My tofu ground beef would also be a great addition here!

Saute the mince for a couple of minutes until it begins to brown, then add your seasonings, cook for another minute, and add the enchiladas sauce and cream cheese. Stir it into the mince until the cream cheese has melted and created a thick and creamy sauce.

Step 2) Warm Your Tortillas

This is an optional step, but I do think it adds to the flavor of your tortillas! Tip the mince mixture into a bowl and then return the pan (don’t bother cleaning it!) to the heat and add one tortilla at a time, flipping after 30 seconds – 1 minute.

This helps crisp up the tortillas as well as allowing them to absorb some of that creamy enchilada sauce leftover in the pan.

Step 3) Assemble Your Mexican Pizzas

Line a baking tray with baking paper, and lay your mini tortilla wrap on it. Spread over a tablespoon or two of the refried beans, then a layer of the enchilada mince mixture. Top with some of your grated cheese, and then top with another tortilla wrap.

On this wrap, spread over a spoonful of your enchilada sauce, then top with more grated cheese and your toppings of choice.

Step 4) Bake

Bake your Mexican pizzas for 10 to 15 minutes until the tortilla wraps have started to turn crispy and golden, and the cheese on top has melted.

Cut your Mexican pizza into four quarters and serve with a side of sour cream, creamy jalapeno sauce, this creamy salsa dressing, or some homemade guacamole.

Expert Tips

I would strongly recommend using small tortilla wraps (mine were literally called mini wraps!) for this recipe so that you can comfortably pick up a slice of your Mexican pizza without the filling spilling out everywhere.

You don’t need to crisp up the wraps before baking them (it does add a few minutes to the hands-on cooking time!), but it is a good way of ensuring the wraps don’t get soggy in the middle.

Take care not to overfill the middle of your Mexican pizza – a tablespoon or two of the refried beans, enchilada mixture, and cheese in the middle of the two wraps should be plenty. Too thick, and you risk the middle not cooking properly and you not being able to eat the wraps like an actual pizza!

slice of Mexican pizza topped with pico de gallo, crushed nacho chips, and jalapeno

Air Frying This Recipe

You could easily air fry your Mexican pizzas instead of baking them, if you prefer. This is a great option if you only want to make one and so need less space to cook them!

I would recommend layering up the Mexican pizza within the air fryer basket so the filling doesn’t fall out when transferring the uncooked pizza to the air fryer. Bake for 5 – 10 minutes at 200C | 395F until the wraps are crispy and the cheese has melte.d

Storing Leftovers

These Mexican pizzas are best served hot and fresh from the oven. However, if you have leftovers, simply wrap the pizzas in foil or store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

You could eat your leftover Mexican pizza cold, or you could reheat it in the oven or air fryer for 5 minutes until it has warmed through.

You could also freeze this recipe, wrapped in foil or in an airtight container, for up to three months. Defrost fully in the refrigerator before reheating. Note that the texture of the wraps and filling may change slightly after being frozen.

What To Serve With This Recipe

I think these Mexican pizzas are definitely elevated when served with a delicious dip! A few that I would highly recommend pairing with your tortilla pizzas include this creamy jalapeno sauce, or this delicious creamy salsa dressing. The avocado crema paired with these Mexican potatoes would also be delicious.

FAQs

What is in a Mexican Pizza?

A Mexican Pizza typically consists of two crispy flour tortillas layered with seasoned ground beef and refried beans. It’s topped with pizza sauce, a blend of cheeses, and diced tomatoes. Some variations might include additional toppings like jalapeños, green onions, or olives.

What is the Mexican version of pizza?

The Mexican version of pizza, often exemplified by Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza, is a fusion dish that combines elements of Mexican cuisine with the traditional pizza format. Instead of a typical pizza dough, it uses crispy tortillas and incorporates Mexican ingredients like refried beans, taco seasoning, and salsa.

What’s on a Mexican Pizza at Taco Bell?

Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza features two crispy tortilla shells filled with seasoned beef and refried beans. It’s topped with pizza sauce, a three-cheese blend, and diced ripe tomatoes. The combination of these ingredients delivers a unique and flavorful fast-food item that’s a twist on traditional pizza.

overhead shot of taco bell mexican pizza copycat topped with tomatoes, crushed nachos, jalapenos

What did the original Mexican Pizza have on it?

The original Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell had a layer of refried beans and seasoned ground beef between two crispy tortillas, topped with pizza sauce, melted cheese, and diced tomatoes. Over the years, the recipe remained largely consistent, with minor variations based on location or special editions.

Is a Mexican Pizza unhealthy?

Like many fast-food items, a Mexican Pizza can be considered unhealthy if consumed frequently or in large quantities due to its high calorie, fat, and sodium content. However, when enjoyed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, it can be an occasional indulgence.

Is a Mexican Pizza a quesadilla?

While a Mexican Pizza shares some similarities with a quesadilla, such as the use of tortillas and cheese, it’s not the same. A quesadilla typically consists of a single tortilla folded over a filling of cheese and other ingredients, whereas a Mexican Pizza uses two tortillas stacked with layers of filling and toppings, more closely resembling a pizza structure.

Why did Taco Bell discontinue the Mexican Pizza?

Taco Bell discontinued the Mexican Pizza due to various factors, including efforts to streamline their menu and improve operational efficiency. Environmental concerns were also cited, as the packaging of the Mexican Pizza contributed to a significant amount of waste. However, due to popular demand and customer feedback, Taco Bell has brought the Mexican Pizza back at various times, indicating its enduring popularity.

Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat)

Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat)

Yield: 2 pizzas
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

This quick recipe uses mini tortilla wraps with enchilada mince, refried beans, and cheese for a slightly healthy and homemade alternative to the popular Taco Bell Mexican pizza.

Ingredients

  • 4 small tortilla wraps
  • 200g vegetarian mince
  • 1 cup enchilada sauce
  • 1 tbsp cream cheese
  • ½ cup refried beans
  • ½ cup (100g) grated cheese
  • 4 tbsp pice de gallo
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 0.5ysp cayenne chili pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4-5 nacho chips
  • 4-6 pickled jalapeno slices
  • 10g cilantro

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in your pan, then add the vegetarian mince. Cook it for 4 -5 minutes until it begins to brown.
  2. Tip in the seasonings and cook for another minute, then add ¾ cup of the enchilada sauce and the cream cheese. Stir it into the mince until combined and creamy.
  3. Optionally, tip the mince mixture into a bowl and fry the tortilla wraps in the pan for 1-2 minutes so get them a little crispy and warm,
  4. To assemble, place a tortilla wrap on baking paper, then spread over a tablespoon or two of the refried beans. 
  5. Add a layer of the enchiladas mince mixture, then top with some of the grated cheese.
  6. Add your second tortilla wrap, then spread over 1 tbsp of enchilada sauce and top with more grated cheese.
  7. Scatter over some of the pico de gallo and the jalapenos, and bake for 10 - 15 minutes until the tortilla wraps are golden and crispy and the cheese has melted.
  8. Top with crushed nacho chips and chopped fresh cilantro and enjoy!

Notes

I would strongly recommend using small tortilla wraps (mine were literally called mini wraps!) for this recipe so that you can comfortably pick up a slice of your Mexican pizza without the filling spilling out everywhere.

These Mexican pizzas are best served hot and fresh from the oven. However, if you have leftovers, simply wrap the pizzas in foil or store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

You could eat your leftover Mexican pizza cold, or you could reheat it in the oven or air fryer for 5 minutes until it has warmed through.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1033Total Fat: 43gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 4405mgCarbohydrates: 112gFiber: 13gSugar: 12gProtein: 49g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Skip to Recipe