A fun and flavorful homemade Mexican Pizza with a crispy crust, seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and all your favorite taco toppings!
Prep Time:45 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:135 minutes
Yield:2 medium pizzas (12-inch) 1x
Ingredients
Scale
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
1/4 cup sour cream (optional, for smoother consistency)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup pickled jalapeños (optional)
Salsa, for serving
Sour cream, for serving
Guacamole, for serving (optional)
Instructions
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes, or until foamy. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast might be old and you’ll need to start over with fresh yeast.
Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. This is crucial for a light and airy crust.
Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the taco seasoning and water.
Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and the beef is well-seasoned. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, heat the refried beans over low heat, stirring occasionally.
For a smoother and creamier consistency, stir in the sour cream until well combined. This step is optional but I highly recommend it!
Keep the refried beans warm until ready to assemble the pizza.
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven while it preheats. This will help create a crispy crust.
Divide the dough in half. This recipe makes two medium-sized pizzas.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough into a 12-inch circle. You can also use your hands to stretch the dough.
Carefully transfer the dough to a piece of parchment paper. This makes it easier to transfer the pizza to the hot baking stone or sheet.
Use a fork to prick the dough all over. This will prevent it from puffing up too much during baking.
Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. This pre-baking step ensures that the crust is cooked through and crispy.
Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Spread half of the refried beans evenly over the pre-baked crust, leaving a small border around the edge.
Sprinkle half of the ground beef mixture over the refried beans.
Sprinkle half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the ground beef.
Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
Repeat steps 3-11 with the remaining dough and toppings to make the second pizza.
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Sprinkle the shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sliced black olives, sliced green onions, and pickled jalapeños (if using) over the pizza.
Slice the pizza into wedges and serve immediately with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole (optional).
Notes
Use High-Quality Ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the pizza will taste. Use fresh vegetables, good quality cheese, and flavorful taco seasoning.
Don’t Overload the Pizza: Too many toppings can make the crust soggy. Stick to a reasonable amount of each topping.
Adjust the Spice Level: If you like a spicier pizza, add more jalapeños or use a spicier taco seasoning.
Get Creative with Toppings: Feel free to customize the toppings to your liking. Some other great options include corn, avocado, and cilantro.
Make it Vegetarian: Substitute the ground beef with black beans or lentils for a vegetarian option.
Make it Ahead: You can prepare the dough and ground beef topping ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the pizza.
Reheating: Leftover pizza can be reheated in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat it in a skillet over medium heat for a crispy crust.