Fiesta Taco Pizza

Mastering Your Taco Pizza Crust: Shortcuts & Homemade Options

The crust is the canvas for your taco pizza masterpiece. While homemade dough offers unparalleled flavor and texture, we understand that time isn’t always on your side. Here are several quick and easy alternatives that will cut down on prep time without sacrificing taste, allowing you to enjoy your taco pizza even faster:

• Canned Pizza Dough (Pillsbury or similar): This refrigerated shortcut is incredibly convenient and widely available. You can typically find it in the dairy or refrigerated dough section of your grocery store. Simply unroll, press into your pan, and you’re ready to top! You might even try Pillsbury crescent rolls for a flakier, buttery crust alternative.
• Pre-made Fresh Pizza Dough: Many grocery stores and local bakeries sell fresh pizza dough balls in their deli or refrigerated sections. These are usually high-quality and only require a little shaping before you can start layering your taco toppings. Look for balls weighing between ¾ to 1 pound for a standard pizza.
• Bisquick Mix Crust: A surprising but effective alternative, Original Bisquick mix can quickly transform into a pizza crust. Use a ratio of 1 ½ cups of Bisquick mix to ¾ cup of hot water. Mix until a soft dough forms, then press it evenly into a greased pizza pan. This makes for a slightly softer, biscuit-like crust that perfectly complements the taco flavors.
• Flour Tortilla Crust (Layered Taco Pizza): For an extra-thin and crispy base, large flour tortillas make an excellent “crust.” Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and bake the tortillas until they are lightly golden brown and 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 spread your taco sauce and toppings as desired. This creates a unique, satisfying crunch with every bite.
• French Bread Pizza Base: If you’re looking for an even simpler way to enjoy a pizza experience without traditional dough, our easy French bread pizza version is a fantastic choice. The crispy exterior and soft interior of French bread provide a robust base for all your flavorful taco toppings.

Choosing the right crust option allows you to customize not just the toppings, but also the fundamental texture of your taco pizza, making it truly your own.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Craft Your Homemade Taco Pizza

Creating this flavorful taco pizza is a straightforward process. If you’re opting for our homemade pizza dough, you can find a comprehensive step-by-step breakdown for making the Homemade Pizza Dough on our dedicated blog post. Once your dough is ready (or you’ve chosen a shortcut crust), preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and follow these basic steps for assembly and baking:

1. Prepare the Ground Beef: In a skillet, sauté your ground beef over medium heat. Add a couple of tablespoons of water along with the taco seasoning. Use a spoon or spatula to break up the meat and cook it until it’s no longer pink, typically about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, thoroughly drain any excess grease from the pan to prevent a greasy pizza, then set the seasoned beef aside.
2. Prepare the Pizza Dough: Lightly spray your pizza pan with a nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Carefully place your pizza dough onto the prepared pan and gently spread it out, working from the center outwards, to cover the entire pan. Aim for an even thickness across the base and push the dough slightly to form a crust that’s about a half-inch from the edge of the pan.
3. Craft the Taco Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the salsa and refried beans, mixing them until well combined and smooth. Spoon this unique taco sauce evenly onto your prepared pizza dough, ensuring you leave a half-inch border around the edges for the crust.
4. Add the Toppings: Begin by sprinkling the shredded cheeses evenly over the taco sauce base. Next, scatter the cooked taco meat over the cheese. Follow with the diced red bell peppers, sliced black olives, and thinly sliced green onions, distributing them evenly for a balanced bite in every slice.
5. Bake to Perfection: Place your assembled pizza into the 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 fully melted and bubbling with a slightly golden hue. Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool slightly for a few minutes before slicing, which helps the cheese set.
6. Finish and Serve: For the signature sour cream salsa drizzle, combine 1/3 cup of salsa and 1/3 cup of sour cream in a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You can use a spoon to artfully drizzle this sauce over the top of your freshly baked pizza, or for a more refined presentation, use a pastry bag. Alternatively, serve the drizzle on the side as a dipping sauce. Slice, serve, and enjoy your sensational homemade taco pizza!

Unleash Your Creativity: Taco Pizza Topping Variations

One of the best aspects of taco pizza is its incredible versatility. Feel free to customize your pie with an array of delicious toppings, both before and after baking, to suit any preference:

Toppings to Add Before Baking:

These ingredients are best added before the pizza goes into the oven, allowing them to cook or melt perfectly:

• Other Meats: Instead of or in addition to ground beef, try seasoned shredded chicken, slow-cooked pulled pork, or even crispy bacon bits for added smoky flavor.
• Spicy Kicks: Incorporate diced green chilis, sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled), or a pinch of red pepper flakes for an extra layer of heat.
• Vegetables: Add a layer of corn kernels, diced white or yellow onions, or even sautéed bell peppers for more texture and flavor.
• Different Cheeses: Explore beyond mozzarella and pepper jack with a full Mexican blend, sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese.
• Beans: Black beans or pinto beans (rinsed and drained) can add a hearty, fiber-rich component to your pizza base.

Toppings to Add After Baking:

These fresh toppings are best added once your pizza is out of the oven, providing a vibrant contrast in texture and temperature:

• Fresh Greens: Piles of shredded lettuce or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro (chopped) offer a refreshing crunch and herbaceous note.
• Fresh Vegetables: Diced fresh tomatoes, pico de gallo, or thinly sliced red onions bring brightness and a juicy burst of flavor.
• Creamy Delights: A dollop of extra guacamole, sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt adds a cooling, creamy element.
• Extra Sauces: Drizzle with more salsa, Ranch dressing, chipotle mayo, or your favorite hot sauce.
• Crunch Factor: For an irresistible crunch, scatter crushed tortilla chips, Fritos, or especially crushed Doritos (Nacho Cheese flavor is a classic choice!) over the warm pizza.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match these ideas to create your signature taco pizza!

The right pan can significantly impact your pizza’s crust. For this Taco Pizza recipe, we often use a round, wide-rimmed aluminum pizza pan, sometimes paired with a pizza wire. Pizza wires are excellent for promoting even heat distribution, resulting in a crispier crust, and can be found at restaurant supply stores or online. Other great options include:

• Perforated Pizza Pans: These pans have small holes that allow air to circulate, reducing moisture and helping achieve a crispy bottom crust without needing a separate pizza wire.
• Baking Sheet: A standard rectangular baking sheet is a versatile alternative, especially if you’re using one of the “shortcut” dough methods (like tortillas or Bisquick dough). Always remember to lightly grease the pan before adding your dough to prevent sticking.
• Cast Iron Skillet or Cast Iron Pizza Pan: Cast iron is a fantastic choice for home pizza baking. It heats very evenly and retains heat exceptionally well, which is key for developing a wonderfully crispy yet chewy crust. These pans are also incredibly sturdy and will last a lifetime, just be sure to hand wash them to protect the seasoning.
• Pizza Stone or Steel: For restaurant-quality crispiness, a pizza stone or steel is unmatched. Place the stone or steel into a cold oven, then preheat both together to ensure it reaches a very high temperature. Shape and build your pizza on a baking peel, then carefully transfer it onto the hot stone to bake. This method provides an intense burst of heat to the crust, mimicking a professional pizza oven.

Yes, you can! You can prepare the pizza dough (if homemade) the day before and store it in the refrigerator overnight. The ground beef can also be cooked and seasoned ahead of time and stored in the fridge. On pizza night, simply bring the dough to room temperature, assemble, and bake. You can even assemble the entire pizza and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking, though for the crispiest crust, we recommend assembling just before baking.

Leftover taco pizza can be stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure it cools completely before storing to prevent condensation.

For best results, reheat slices in a preheated 350-degree F oven or toaster oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the crust is crispy again. You can also reheat in a microwave, but the crust may become softer.

Taco pizza is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a fresh side salad, a bowl of tortilla chips and extra salsa or guacamole, or even some corn on the cob. A refreshing limeade or Mexican soda would also complement the flavors nicely.