Craving the iconic taste of Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza but want the comfort and ease of a homemade meal? Look no further! This incredible Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Casserole captures all the bold, cheesy, and spicy flavors you love from the classic fast-food favorite, reimagined into a simple, layered casserole that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining. It’s designed to bring that nostalgic flavor right into your kitchen with minimal fuss, transforming a beloved treat into a satisfying, scoopable dish.
FAST FOOD FAVORITE REIMAGINED: THE MEXICAN PIZZA CASSEROLE
This culinary creation takes its delicious inspiration directly from the legendary Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, transforming it into a convenient, layered casserole. Forget the hassle of assembling individual pizzas; this dish offers all the vibrant flavors and textures in one easy-to-make pan. Each bite delivers a delightful combination of crispy tortillas, perfectly seasoned ground beef, creamy refried beans, and a generous blanket of melted cheese, all crowned with fresh, zesty toppings. It’s quickly become a cherished recipe in our household, earning rave reviews from everyone who tries it. This casserole isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of comfort food that brings a taste of your favorite drive-thru right to your dinner table, elevated with fresh, homemade goodness.
“Wow! This was so good and so easy! Definitely going into the regular meal rotation!”
– Rena, A Happy Home Cook
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MEXICAN PIZZA CASSEROLE
While traditionally Mexican Pizzas feature fried tortillas, extensive testing revealed that fried tortillas tend to become overly soft and lose their structural integrity when subjected to the weight of the casserole’s layers. Baking the tortillas until they are crisp provides a much more desirable texture, offering a satisfying crunch that holds up beautifully within the casserole. If you prefer the authentic fried flavor, you certainly can fry them, but be aware that the final texture might be softer than intended for a casserole format.
The original Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, which this casserole pays homage to, is made with flour tortillas. Using flour tortillas will give you the closest replication of that beloved taste and texture. However, if you have a dietary preference or simply enjoy the flavor of corn tortillas, you can absolutely substitute them. Keep in mind that corn tortillas tend to be slightly less pliable and might offer a different kind of crispness once baked. Adjust baking times as necessary to achieve your desired level of crispness.
The beauty of a casserole lies in its versatility! While the base recipe is incredibly flavorful, feel free to customize it to your heart’s content. Personally, I have a soft spot for sliced black olives, reminiscent of the old-school Taco Bell Mexican Pizza. However, I didn’t include them in the main recipe, as I know they’re not everyone’s favorite. Other fantastic additions include pickled jalapeños for a kick, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, a drizzle of your favorite taco sauce, or even a sprinkle of fresh cilantro before serving. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite Mexican-inspired toppings!
Absolutely! While enchilada sauce provides a classic depth of flavor, it’s not the only option. Some grocery stores, like Walmart, now offer a specific Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Dip in a jar, which could be an excellent alternative if you can find it. I haven’t personally tested it due to its availability in my area, but it’s designed to mimic the original pizza sauce. If that’s not an option, consider using a mild salsa or even a blend of tomato sauce seasoned with taco spices for a different flavor profile. Just be mindful of the consistency; you want a sauce that’s thick enough to cling to the meat but not overly watery.
This casserole is quite hearty and complete on its own, making it a fantastic all-in-one meal. For a balanced dinner, you might consider pairing it with something light and refreshing. A crisp green side salad with a zesty lime vinaigrette, or some simple steamed vegetables like corn or green beans, would be perfect. For those who enjoy a fuller Mexican-inspired feast, a side of fried corn or a traditional Mexican rice would complement the flavors beautifully. You could even serve it alongside corn cakes, much like those found in authentic Mexican restaurants.
Leftovers of this delicious casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. While it remains perfectly safe to eat, it’s important to note that the tortilla shells may absorb moisture over time and become a bit softer or soggy. For best results, reheat individual portions in the oven or microwave until warmed through. If you anticipate a lot of leftovers, you might consider preparing smaller individual casseroles to maintain optimal texture, or embrace the softer tortilla texture as a new comfort food experience!
ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR TACO BELL MEXICAN PIZZA CASSEROLE
Crafting this sensational casserole requires a few key components, many of which are likely staples in your pantry. We’ll build layers of flavor and texture to perfectly mimic the iconic Mexican Pizza.
- Large Burrito-Sized Tortillas: You’ll need about 6 of these, or 8 soft taco-sized tortillas. While flour tortillas are used for authenticity, feel free to opt for corn tortillas if that’s your preference. The goal is to get them wonderfully crisp before layering.
- Enchilada Sauce: This provides a crucial depth of savory, slightly spicy flavor. As mentioned in our FAQs, some stores now carry a specific Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Dip. If you happen to find it, it could be an intriguing alternative. However, its texture and consistency might differ from traditional enchilada sauce, which we’ve designed this recipe around.
- Ground Beef: A pound of lean ground beef forms the hearty base of our casserole. For lighter options or different dietary needs, ground chicken or ground turkey would also work beautifully, absorbing the taco seasoning just as well.
- Taco Seasoning Packet: Use your absolute favorite brand here! Or, if you’re feeling ambitious and want to control the spice and sodium levels, consider whipping up a batch of homemade taco seasoning. It makes a noticeable difference!
- Refried Beans: We recommend a 16-ounce can of refried beans. Any store brand will do, but feel free to grab your favorite or even make your own creamy homemade refried beans for an extra touch of freshness. They add a crucial creamy layer.
- Water: Just a half cup of water is needed to thin out the refried beans to a spreadable consistency, making it easier to layer them evenly in the casserole.
- Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend: A full cup of a good melting cheese is essential for that gooey, irresistible finish. A Mexican blend is perfect, but any cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a colby-jack mix, would be fantastic. Divided use ensures cheesy goodness throughout.
- Diced Tomatoes and Sliced Green Onions: These are your vibrant, fresh toppings. They add a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor to contrast the rich, savory casserole. As a delightful throwback, consider adding some sliced black olives, just like Taco Bell used to do on their original Mexican Pizzas!
HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR DELICIOUS TACO BELL MEXICAN PIZZA CASSEROLE
Creating this flavorful casserole is a straightforward process, broken down into simple, manageable steps. Follow these instructions to bring the magic of Mexican Pizza into your home:
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your tortillas will bake evenly and become perfectly crisp.
- On a large baking sheet, arrange as many of your large burrito-sized tortillas as you can fit without overlapping them. Bake these in the preheated oven for 3 minutes.
- Carefully flip the tortillas over and continue baking for another 3 minutes, or until they develop a beautiful golden color and start to turn crunchy. This step is crucial for preventing a soggy casserole.
- Remove the crispy tortillas from the oven and repeat the baking process with any remaining tortillas until all shells are cooked. Set them aside on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, gently crumble them into smaller, manageable pieces – these will form your “pizza crust” layers.
- While the tortillas cool, begin preparing your meat filling. In a large skillet, add the ground beef over medium heat. Cook and crumble the beef, stirring occasionally, until it’s no longer pink and thoroughly browned.
- Drain any excess fat from the cooked ground beef. This step is important for a less greasy, more flavorful casserole.
- Add the entire 10-ounce can of enchilada sauce and the 1-ounce packet of taco seasoning to the skillet with the ground beef. Stir everything together until the mixture begins to simmer gently. Set this flavorful meat mixture aside.
- In a small pot, combine the 16-ounce can of refried beans with ½ cup of water. Place this over medium heat and stir continuously until the beans are thinned out to a smooth, spreadable consistency. If the mixture appears too thick, feel free to add a little more water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired texture. Set the thinned refried beans aside.
- Now it’s time to assemble your casserole! In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of your crumbled, baked tortilla shells evenly across the bottom. These will act as your first crispy layer.
- Next, spoon half of the seasoned ground beef mixture over the tortilla layer, spreading it out as evenly as possible.
- Carefully spoon half of the thinned refried beans over the meat layer. Take your time to spread it gently to avoid disturbing the layers beneath.
- Sprinkle ½ cup of the shredded Mexican cheese blend generously over the refried beans. This creates a delicious, gooey internal layer of cheese.
- Repeat the entire layering process: add the remaining broken tortilla shells, followed by the rest of the meat mixture, then the remaining refried beans, and finally, top with the last ½ cup of shredded cheese.
- Once all layers are assembled, cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake the casserole in your preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until it is heated through completely and the cheese has melted into a bubbly, golden topping.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and carefully remove the foil.
- For a vibrant finish, top the warm casserole with the fresh diced tomatoes and sliced green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy the incredible flavors of your homemade Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Casserole!
CRAVING MORE MEXICAN-INSPIRED RECIPES?
If you loved this casserole and are looking for more ways to enjoy the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine, especially those inspired by your favorite fast-food joints, check out these other fantastic recipes:
- Classic Taco Bell Mexican Pizza: The original inspiration, recreated at home!
- Taco Bell Chilli Cheese Burritos: A comforting, cheesy, and meaty handheld delight.
- Taco Bell Enchiritos: A delicious blend of burrito and enchilada, smothered in sauce and cheese.
- Dorito Taco Casserole: Another fun and easy casserole featuring crunchy Doritos.
- Frito Pie Casserole: A hearty, savory casserole topped with crunchy Frito chips.
- Mexican Lasagna: Layered perfection with a Mexican twist, using tortillas instead of pasta.
- Easy Refried Bean Dip: A perfect appetizer or snack to complement any Mexican meal.
Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Casserole
Everything you love about a Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, transformed into a convenient and crowd-pleasing casserole.
10 minutes
25 minutes
35 minutes
8
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 6 large burrito-sized tortillas (or 8 soft taco-sized tortillas)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 ounce packet taco seasoning
- 10 ounce can enchilada sauce
- 16 ounce can refried beans
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (divided use)
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ⅛ cup sliced green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
On a large baking sheet, place as many of the 6 large burrito sized tortillas as you can fit without overlapping. Bake them in the oven for 3 minutes. Flip over for another 3 minutes or until they have some color and are turning crunchy.
- Remove them from the oven and repeat until all the shells are cooked. Set aside to cool.
- Once the shells have cooled, crumble them into smaller pieces suitable for layering.
To a skillet, add 1 pound ground beef over medium heat. Cook and crumble until no longer pink, then drain any excess fat.
Add 1 ounce packet taco seasoning and 10 ounce can enchilada sauce. Stir until the mixture starts to simmer. Set aside.
To a small pot, add 16 ounce can refried beans and 1/2 cup water over medium heat. Stir until the beans are thinned out and smooth. You can add a little more water if needed to reach a spreadable consistency. Set aside.
To a 9×13-inch baking dish, add half of the broken tortilla shells, spreading them evenly to form the bottom layer.
Top the tortilla shells with half of the meat mixture, spreading it evenly across the layer.
Next, carefully spread half of the refried beans over the meat layer.
Add 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend over the refried beans.
- Repeat the final layer with the remaining broken shells, the rest of the meat mixture, the remaining refried beans, and finally, top with the remaining shredded cheese.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese has melted into a bubbly, golden top.
Garnish your hot casserole with 1 cup diced tomatoes and ⅛ cup sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
- For additional tips, ingredient substitutions, and answers to common questions, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions and ingredient list sections above.
Dinner, Main Course
American
Nutrition
Calories:
252
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
35
g
|
Protein:
10
g
|
Fat:
8
g
|
Sodium:
1339
mg
|
Fiber:
6
g
|
Sugar:
7
g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.