Description
These Easy Mexican Pizzas are a delightful combination of crispy fried tortillas layered with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and melted Colby Jack cheese. Topped with fresh diced tomatoes and green onions and finished with a flavorful taco sauce, they make a perfect family-friendly dinner that’s quick to prepare and bursting with authentic Mexican-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 chopped onion
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried cilantro
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 TBSP minced garlic
Other Ingredients
- 16 small fajita-size flour tortillas
- 1 can refried beans (approximately 16 oz)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- Taco sauce (to taste)
- Diced tomatoes (for topping)
- Chopped green onions (for topping)
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and the onion is tender. Drain excess grease from the skillet to remove extra fat.
- Season the Beef: Add salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, dried cilantro, cayenne pepper, and minced garlic to the browned beef mixture. Stir well to combine all the spices evenly throughout the meat for a robust flavor.
- Fry the Tortillas: Heat vegetable oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Fry each flour tortilla one at a time until golden brown on both sides, then remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. This adds crispiness to the tortillas.
- Assemble the Pizzas: Take a fried tortilla and spread a layer of refried beans on it. Next, evenly distribute the seasoned ground beef over the beans, sprinkle with shredded Colby Jack cheese, and top with another fried tortilla. Add a generous layer of taco sauce on top and sprinkle more cheese.
- Bake the Pizzas: Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Place the assembled pizzas on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pizzas from the oven. Top each pizza with fresh diced tomatoes and chopped green onions for a fresh burst of flavor. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can substitute Colby Jack cheese with a Mexican cheese blend or cheddar for variation.
- Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas for a gluten-free option, but frying may need adjusting.
- If you prefer less spicy, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
- These pizzas can be made ahead and reheated in the oven for a quick meal.
- Leftover seasoned beef can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
