Taco Pizza Fiesta

Quick and Easy Pizza Dough Alternatives for Busy Nights

While homemade pizza dough offers an unparalleled taste and texture, sometimes life calls for a little shortcut. Thankfully, there are several fantastic alternatives that can significantly reduce your prep time without compromising on flavor or the joy of a homemade taco pizza. These options are perfect for weeknights, unexpected cravings, or when you simply want to get dinner on the table faster:

• Canned Pizza Dough: A true lifesaver for speed and convenience. Look for popular brands like Pillsbury pizza dough in the refrigerated dairy section of your grocery store, often alongside other canned dough products. Its consistent texture and easy handling make it a reliable choice. Interestingly, canned crescent rolls can also be pressed together and baked as a crust, offering a flakier, buttery alternative that’s surprisingly delicious!
• Pre-Made Fresh Pizza Dough: Many grocery stores and local bakeries now offer fresh, ready-to-use pizza dough balls. These are typically found in the deli or bakery section and range from ¾ to 1 pound, providing a convenient starting point that still tastes wonderfully fresh. Simply let it come to room temperature, then stretch and shape as desired.
• Bisquick Mix Dough: For a uniquely soft and pliable crust, Original Bisquick mix is a fantastic option. Combine 1 ½ cups of Bisquick mix with approximately ⅔ cup of hot water. Mix until a soft dough forms, then press it evenly into a greased pizza pan. This method yields a crust that’s tender on the inside with a lovely golden exterior.
• Flour Tortilla Crust: For an ultra-thin and crispy taco pizza, large flour tortillas make an excellent crust. Pre-bake your tortillas at 375 degrees F until they’re golden brown and slightly crisp. Remove from the oven, then spread one tortilla with a mixture of refried beans and seasoned taco meat. Top with another toasted tortilla, then layer your desired toppings and sauce over the top. This creates a multi-layered, crunchy delight that’s packed with flavor.
• French Bread Pizza: If you’re craving homemade pizza but prefer to skip the dough-making process entirely, consider the simplicity of a French bread base. Sliced lengthwise, French bread provides a wonderfully sturdy and flavorful foundation for all your taco pizza ingredients. This method is incredibly easy and offers a satisfyingly chewy crust that holds up beautifully to heavy toppings. Find a detailed guide on making French bread pizza here for another great weeknight solution.

Crafting Your Delicious Taco Pizza: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making this homemade taco pizza is a rewarding experience, combining simple techniques with incredible flavors. For a detailed breakdown of creating perfect Homemade Pizza Dough from scratch, be sure to check out our dedicated blog post. Once your dough is ready, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and follow these straightforward steps to assemble and bake your culinary masterpiece:

1. Prepare the Ground Beef: Begin by sautéing the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add a couple of tablespoons of water along with the taco seasoning. Break up the meat with a spoon or spatula and cook until it’s browned and only a little pink remains, typically about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess grease from the pan to ensure your pizza isn’t greasy, then set the seasoned meat aside.
2. Shape the Pizza Dough: Lightly spray your chosen pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place your prepared pizza dough onto the pan and gently spread it out with your hands, pressing and stretching until it evenly covers the entire pan. As you spread, aim to create a slightly thicker edge, about a half-inch from the rim, to form a delightful crust.
3. Create the Taco Sauce Base: In a small bowl, combine the salsa and refried beans. Stir these two ingredients together until they are thoroughly mixed and form a smooth, uniform sauce. Generously spoon this flavorful taco sauce evenly onto the pizza dough, spreading it all the way to about a half-inch from the edges of the crust.
4. Layer the Toppings: Begin by sprinkling the shredded cheeses (mozzarella and pepper jack) evenly over the entire surface of the salsa and refried bean base. Next, scatter the seasoned taco meat, diced red bell peppers, sliced black olives, and thinly sliced green onions over the cheese layer, ensuring an even distribution for flavor in every bite.
5. Bake to Perfection: Carefully transfer the assembled pizza to your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the pizza crust is beautifully golden brown on the bottom and the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and a light golden color. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning. Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool slightly for a few minutes before slicing.
6. Prepare and Drizzle the Sour Cream Salsa: While the pizza cools, prepare the luscious drizzle. In a blender, combine ⅓ cup of salsa and ⅓ cup of sour cream. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. For an elegant touch, use a spoon or a pastry bag to artfully drizzle this creamy salsa over the top of your warm, baked pizza. Alternatively, serve it on the side as a delightful dipping sauce for individual slices. Slice, serve, and savor every delicious bite of your homemade taco pizza!

Exciting Topping Variations for Your Taco Pizza

One of the joys of taco pizza is its incredible versatility. Don’t limit yourself to the classic toppings! Here are a plethora of ideas to customize your pizza, both before and after baking, ensuring every bite is a new adventure:

Toppings to Add Before Baking (Cook with the Pizza):

• Different Cheeses: Experiment with a Mexican cheese blend, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a smoked gouda for a unique twist.
• Additional Proteins: Instead of or in addition to ground beef, try shredded chicken (cooked with taco seasoning), crumbled chorizo, or even seasoned black beans for a vegetarian option. Crispy bacon bits or diced ham can also add a savory depth.
• Vegetables for Roasting: Diced green chilis (canned or fresh), finely chopped onions (red or white), corn kernels (fresh or frozen), or even thinly sliced jalapeños (for heat) can be added before baking.

Toppings to Add After Baking (Fresh Garnishes):

Once your pizza emerges from the oven, hot and bubbly, it’s time to add the fresh, vibrant garnishes that bring the taco experience to life:

• Fresh Greens: Generous amounts of shredded iceberg lettuce or romaine for that classic taco crunch and coolness. Fresh cilantro leaves add a bright, herbaceous note.
• Diced Tomatoes: Freshly diced Roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes provide a burst of juiciness and acidity.
• More Sauces & Creams: In addition to our sour cream salsa drizzle, consider a dollop of plain sour cream, a swirl of fresh salsa, a zig-zag of creamy ranch dressing, or a drizzle of hot sauce for an extra kick.
• Avocado & Guacamole: Sliced fresh avocado or spoonfuls of homemade guacamole add a rich, creamy texture and healthy fats.
• Crunchy Elements: For an irresistible texture, sprinkle crushed tortilla chips (especially Doritos for extra flavor!), crispy fried onions, or even a handful of toasted pumpkin seeds.
• Legumes: A scattering of canned black beans or corn kernels (drained and rinsed) adds extra fiber and texture.

Choosing the right pan can significantly impact the quality of your pizza crust, making it crispier or chewier depending on your preference. For this Taco Pizza recipe, we often use a round, wide-rimmed aluminum pizza pan paired with a pizza wire. Pizza wires, often found at restaurant supply stores or online, are excellent for distributing heat evenly across the bottom of the crust, which helps achieve that coveted crispy base. Many home cooks also love perforated pizza pans, which eliminate the need for a separate wire by allowing air to circulate directly around the dough. Here are some other excellent options for baking pizzas at home, each with its own advantages:

• Rectangular Baking Sheets: These are a versatile and readily available alternative, especially if you’re using one of the “shortcut” crust methods mentioned above, like canned dough or Bisquick. Ensure you lightly grease the baking sheet before placing your dough to prevent sticking and aid in browning. They’re great for family-sized rectangular pizzas.
• Cast Iron Skillet or Pizza Pan: Cast iron is a fantastic choice for home pizza making due to its exceptional heat retention and even heat distribution. It can reach very high temperatures and maintain them, leading to a beautifully crispy exterior and a wonderfully chewy interior crust. Cast iron pans are incredibly durable and will last a lifetime if cared for properly; just remember they are not dishwasher safe and should be hand-washed and seasoned.
• Pizza Stone or Steel: For restaurant-quality crispiness, a pizza stone or steel is unparalleled. Place the stone or steel into a cold oven, then preheat both together to ensure it reaches maximum temperature. Build your pizza on a baking peel (lightly dusted with cornmeal or flour to prevent sticking), then carefully slide the pizza directly onto the hot stone or steel to bake. The intense, direct heat from the stone mimics a professional pizza oven, resulting in a blistered, perfectly crisp crust.

Can I Prepare Taco Pizza Ahead of Time?

Yes, absolutely! There are several components you can prepare in advance to make assembly on pizza night even quicker. You can prepare the pizza dough a day or two beforehand and store it covered in the refrigerator. The seasoned ground beef can also be cooked and refrigerated up to 3 days in advance. Most of your vegetable toppings (like diced bell peppers, sliced olives, and chopped green onions) can be prepped and stored in airtight containers in the fridge. This way, when it’s time to make pizza, you’re only a few steps away from a delicious meal.

What are the Best Ways to Store and Reheat Leftover Taco Pizza?

Leftover taco pizza is a treat! To store, ensure the pizza has cooled completely to room temperature. Then, wrap individual slices tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place them in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For reheating, the microwave is quick but can make the crust soft. For a crispier crust, reheat slices in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is bubbly again. You can also use a toaster oven or even a dry skillet on the stovetop over medium heat for a few minutes per side to achieve a crispy bottom.

Are There Vegetarian Options for Taco Pizza?

Indeed! This taco pizza is incredibly adaptable for vegetarian diets. Instead of ground beef, you can use seasoned black beans, refried beans (as a primary topping layer instead of just sauce), crumbled veggie burgers, or a combination of sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers. Ensure your refried beans are vegetarian (some brands use lard). You can also add extra corn, roasted sweet potato cubes, or even a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese for added flavor. The possibilities are truly endless for a delicious meat-free version!