Easy Taco Pizza Recipe
If you’re looking to bring fun dinnertime vibes and irresistible flavor to your table, Easy Taco Pizza is the perfect mash-up you need in your life. Imagine all the best parts of tacos—seasoned beef, refried beans, melty cheese, and zesty toppings—nestled atop a pillowy crescent roll crust. It’s like your favorite taco night and pizza Friday coming together for an effortless, crowd-pleasing meal. Whether you’re serving picky kids, entertaining friends, or just craving something outside the ordinary, Easy Taco Pizza delivers comfort and flair in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gather these simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand. Each one makes a unique contribution—whether it’s flavor, color, or pure melt-in-your-mouth indulgence—to making this Easy Taco Pizza unforgettable.
- Ground beef: Adds hearty, meaty flavor and a satisfying texture as the foundation for all the taco-inspired toppings.
- Taco seasoning mix: Brings that classic Tex-Mex flavor, with just the right kick of spice and savory depth.
- Pillsbury crescent rolls: Their buttery, flaky dough creates an easy, tender crust that’s different from your usual pizza base.
- Refried beans: Create a creamy, flavorful layer that makes every bite super satisfying (and stops the beef from sliding off!).
- Shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend: The cheese melts into gooey, golden perfection, tying the whole pizza together.
- Chopped tomatoes: Bursts of color and cool, fresh flavor balance the richness of the other ingredients.
- Sliced black olives: For salty, briny pops that give your pizza extra excitement.
- Chopped green onions: Lend crunch, bright color, and mild zing to finish each slice beautifully.
How to Make Easy Taco Pizza
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Getting your oven up to temperature first ensures that your crescent roll crust bakes evenly and puffs up with a perfectly golden finish while you work on the toppings.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high and crumble in the ground beef. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is fully browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat—this keeps your pizza from getting soggy and ensures fresh flavors shine through.
Step 3: Add the Taco Seasoning
Return the drained beef to the skillet and sprinkle on your taco seasoning mix. Add about a half to two-thirds cup of water and let everything simmer until the liquid is mostly gone, stirring occasionally. The beef will soak up all that bold, taco-spiced goodness to become the star of your Easy Taco Pizza.
Step 4: Unroll and Press the Crescent Roll Dough
Unroll the crescent rolls onto an 11.5×16.5-inch jelly roll pan (or a large rimmed baking sheet). Gently press the seams together to form a single sheet, then carefully press the dough about half an inch up the edges of the pan to create a sturdy crust that holds all your toppings.
Step 5: Bake the Crust
Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the dough is set and just turning golden brown. The aroma alone will draw everyone into the kitchen!
Step 6: Heat and Spread the Refried Beans
Microwave the can of refried beans for about a minute. Warming the beans makes them so much easier to spread gently and evenly over your baked crust. This step forms the “sauce” layer of the pizza and gives every bite extra richness and moisture.
Step 7: Add the Seasoned Ground Beef
Dollop the cooked, seasoned beef on top of the bean layer, spreading it evenly so every slice is loaded with flavor. Press lightly with a spatula to anchor it in place.
Step 8: Sprinkle on the Cheese
Generously sprinkle your shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese over the beef layer. Use enough to cover the pizza, but save a little for the last sprinkle after toppings if desired. Once this cheese melts, it creates that irresistible, stretchy pizza texture you crave.
Step 9: Top with Fresh Toppings
Finish building your Easy Taco Pizza with vibrant chopped tomatoes, sliced black olives, and a flurry of chopped green onions. Their freshness and color brighten up the cheesy, savory layers underneath.
Step 10: Final Bake
Return your assembled pizza to the oven for another 3 to 6 minutes—just until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbling. The pizza will smell spectacular!
Step 11: Slice and Serve
Allow the pizza to rest for a few minutes so the layers set. Then cut into squares or rectangles and serve it warm. Each piece is loaded with everything you love about tacos, in convenient pizza form.
How to Serve Easy Taco Pizza
Garnishes
This is your moment to make Easy Taco Pizza truly feel like a celebration! Scatter fresh cilantro, extra sliced green onions, or even a dollop of sour cream over the top for added color and flavor. A drizzle of hot sauce or spoonful of chunky salsa also brings a spicy kick for those who like it bold.
Side Dishes
Pair Easy Taco Pizza with cool, crunchy sides for a fiesta-inspired spread. A classic southwest salad, tortilla chips and guacamole, or even a quick corn and black bean salsa are delightful matches. They add a fresh, textural contrast to the rich, cheesy pizza slices and help round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re feeding a crowd, cut the pizza into smaller bite-sized squares and serve as party appetizers with toothpicks. Or make it a customizable experience—set out bowls of jalapeños, chopped lettuce, and different salsas so guests can garnish their own slices just the way they like. This dish’s playful spirit shines brightest when everyone gets involved!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Taco Pizza keeps surprisingly well! Once completely cooled, layer slices between parchment paper in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors meld beautifully, making leftovers just as crave-worthy as the first time around.
Freezing
If you find yourself with extra, Easy Taco Pizza can be frozen for another easy dinner. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or use freezer-safe zip bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, simply thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
For best results, reheat slices in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes, which keeps the crust crisp and cheese melty. You can microwave leftovers in a pinch, but the crust will be softer. A toaster oven is another great option for crispening up smaller portions.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken will taste just as delicious and lighten things up a little. Just be sure to brown thoroughly and season generously for that bold taco flavor we all love in Easy Taco Pizza.
What other toppings go well with Easy Taco Pizza?
The sky’s the limit! Add shredded lettuce after baking, dollops of sour cream, fresh jalapeños, chopped avocados, or even a squeeze of lime for an extra pop. This pizza is super flexible, so don’t be afraid to mix in your favorites.
Can I make Easy Taco Pizza ahead for a party?
Yes, you can prep the crust, beef, and toppings ahead. Assemble up to the final layering stage, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours. Bake and add fresh toppings right before serving so everything stays crisp and vibrant.
Is there a gluten-free option?
Definitely! Look for gluten-free crescent roll dough or use a store-bought gluten-free flatbread as your base instead. All other ingredients in Easy Taco Pizza can easily be made gluten-free as well.
How can I make this kid-friendly?
Leave spicy ingredients on the side and let kids add their own toppings. You can also use mild taco seasoning and skip the olives if they’re not a family favorite. Serving as plain “pizza squares” helps make Easy Taco Pizza extra fun for little hands!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something that’s quick, playful, and guaranteed to bring smiles to the table, Easy Taco Pizza is your new weeknight hero. It packs so much flavor and fun, yet requires almost no fuss. Give it a try and watch everyone reach for seconds—this might just become your most requested family favorite!
Print
Easy Taco Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Taco Pizza recipe combines the flavors of tacos with the convenience of pizza for a deliciously fun meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Ground Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef
Taco Seasoning Mix:
- 1 envelope taco seasoning mix
Crescent Rolls:
- 2 8 oz cans Pillsbury crescent rolls
Refried Beans:
- 1 16 oz can refried beans
Cheese:
- 2–3 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
Toppings:
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- 4 chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Ground Beef: Brown 1 lb of ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 7-10 minutes; drain excess fat.
- Add Taco Seasoning: Return beef to the skillet, add 1 envelope taco seasoning mix with ½-2/3 cup water; simmer until most liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally.
- Unroll Crescent Rolls: Unroll 2 cans of crescent rolls into rectangles; press into an 11.5×16.5 inch jelly roll pan to form the crust, pressing ½ inch up the edges.
- Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes until golden brown.
- Heat Refried Beans: Microwave 1 can of refried beans for 1 minute to soften.
- Spread Refried Beans: Spread the warmed refried beans over the baked crust.
- Add Ground Beef: Spoon the seasoned ground beef evenly over the refried beans.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle 2-3 cups of shredded cheese over the beef layer.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Evenly distribute ½ cup chopped tomatoes, ¼ cup sliced black olives, and 4 chopped green onions over the cheese.
- Final Bake: Return the taco pizza to the oven for 3-6 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Slice and Serve: Let the taco pizza sit for a few minutes before cutting into squares or rectangles; serve hot.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Taco Pizza, Easy Recipe, Mexican Pizza
