Taco Pizza
Taco Pizza is an easy, family-friendly dinner that brings all the bold flavors of your favorite taco night onto a cheesy, melty pizza.
It starts with a creamy refried bean and salsa base, layered with seasoned ground beef and plenty of melted cheddar, then finished with fresh toppings like shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes.
This simple homemade Taco Pizza comes together quickly with store-bought crust and taco night leftovers, making it perfect for busy nights when you want something fun and delicious without extra work.
Taco Pizza Recipe Highlights
- 30-Minute Dinner
- Great Use For Taco Night Leftovers
- Easy To Customize With Your Favorite Toppings
- Kid-Friendly And Family Approved
- Perfect For Casual Parties And Game Day
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
BEANS – I use refried beans as the base layer because they create a creamy, hearty foundation that keeps the toppings in place without making the crust soggy.
SALSA – I use a chunky salsa to add bright, zesty flavor and just enough moisture to help the beans spread easily without thinning out the base.
SEASONING – I use taco seasoning to instantly build that familiar warm, savory taco flavor without needing to measure multiple spices.
CHEESE – I use shredded cheddar cheese because it melts beautifully and delivers a rich, sharp flavor that balances the hearty bean and beef layers.
BEEF – I use cooked ground beef for a classic taco flavor, but you can easily swap in cooked sausage, shredded chicken, or leave it out for a vegetarian version.
TOPPINGS – You can mix and match toppings like shredded lettuce, diced red onion, sliced olives, diced tomatoes, and sour cream to bring a fresh, crunchy contrast to the warm, melty pizza.
How To Make a Taco Pizza
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Stir together the beans, salsa, and seasoning.
- Spread over the crust, sprinkle with cheese, and top with beef.
- Bake the Taco Pizza at 400º Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
- Add fresh toppings, slice, and serve.
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – Store any leftover Taco Pizza without fresh toppings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days for best flavor and texture.
FREEZE – You can freeze the untopped baked pizza slices for up to two months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
REHEAT – Reheat Taco Pizza slices (without toppings) in a 350º Fahrenheit oven for about 8 to 10 minutes to bring back the crispy crust and melty cheese. You can also reheat quickly in the microwave, but the crust will be softer.
MAKE AHEAD – You can prepare the bean and salsa base up to one day in advance. Store it covered in the fridge, then assemble and bake the pizza when ready.
More Easy and Delicious Taco Night Recipes
Serving Suggestions
ROASTED CORN ON THE COB – Sweet and smoky roasted corn is a fun, easy side that feels festive.
MEXICAN RICE – A side of flavorful rice helps stretch the meal and brings in more classic taco flavors.
SIMPLE GUACAMOLE AND CHIPS – Creamy avocado and crunchy chips make the perfect appetizer or side dish.
Recipe Success Tips
USE A STURDY CRUST – Choose a pizza crust that can hold toppings without becoming soggy so the final result stays crisp.
DRAIN SALSA IF NEEDED – If your salsa is very watery, drain off some of the liquid so your base layer does not get too wet.
PRECOOK THE MEAT – Always use fully cooked ground beef to keep the pizza from becoming greasy and to simplify baking.
FRESH TOPPINGS – Keep toppings crisp and flavorful by adding them once the pizza is out of the oven.
EXPERT TIP – To make this even faster on busy nights, prep the bean mixture and cook the meat ahead of time so you can assemble and bake the pizza in minutes.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I Use A Different Type Of Meat?
Yes, you can easily swap the ground beef for cooked chicken, sausage, or even turkey to match your taste.
How Do I Keep The Crust From Getting Soggy?
Spread the bean mixture evenly and use a drained salsa so there is no extra moisture weighing down the crust.
Can I Make This Without Meat?
Yes, you can skip the meat entirely and still have a delicious vegetarian Taco Pizza with just beans, cheese, and toppings.
What Other Cheeses Can I Use?
You can swap cheddar for a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack if you want something a little spicier.
More Easy and Delicious Ground Beef Recipes
Taco Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 pizza crust premade
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup ground beef cooked
Optional toppings
- lettuce shredded
- red onion diced
- olives sliced
- tomatoes diced
- sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
- In a medium bowl, mix the beans, salsa, and taco seasoning together.
- Transfer the premade pizza crust to a round pizza pan or large baking pan.
- Spread the bean mixture on the pizza crust leaving about 2 inches of the outer crust bare. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the bean mixture. Sprinkle the cooked ground beef over the shredded cheese.
- Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes, or per the directions on the crust package. Immediately top the pizza with your desired fresh toppings, cut, and serve.
Notes
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.