Tex-Mex Mexican Pizza

Name: Tex-Mex Mexican Pizza
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 400 g Refried beans; 1 tsp Ground cumin; 30 g Pickled jalapeños; 3 tbsp Red salsa; 3 tbsp Green salsa; 4 tbsp Sour cream; 2 Diced tomatoes; 200 ml Vegetable oil (for frying); 1 White onion; 8 Medium flour tortillas; 3 Spring onion; 2 cloves Garlic cloves; 400 g Beef mince

35 min (15 prep + 20 cook) Easy 4 servings Texas

Edmond Bojalil

Recetas Mexas

Published: 29 Mar 2026 · Updated: 29 Mar 2026

Two crispy fried tortillas with beef mince, beans and melted cheese, Taco Bell style.

About this recipe

Tex-Mex Mexican pizza is the homemade recreation of the most iconic dish on the Taco Bell menu: two layers of crispy fried flour tortillas, bound together with refried beans and seasoned beef mince, and topped with a generous layer of melted cheddar cheese, diced tomato and jalapeños. The bottom tortilla is as crispy as a pizza base, whilst the whole thing resembles a giant tostada with all the Tex-Mex flavours concentrated in every bite.

History & Origin

Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza has a curious history that perfectly reflects the evolution of Tex-Mex fast food in the United States. Launched in 1985 as part of the chain's innovative menu under the name Pizzazz Pizza (and later renamed Mexican Pizza in 1991), it quickly became one of the most popular menu items, especially among vegetarian customers who could order it without meat. It was so popular that when Taco Bell removed it from the menu in 2020 for environmental reasons (the cardboard packaging), the reaction was immediate and massive: millions of fans signed petitions on Change.org, rapper Doja Cat posted a video lamenting its disappearance, and in 2022 Taco Bell had to permanently reintroduce it. The homemade version we make here surpasses the original: freshly fried flour tortillas, meat with real spices and proper cheddar cheese instead of industrial processed cheese. It is Tex-Mex comfort food in pizza format.

Estimated cost

£9.90

Total cost

£2.48

Per serving

* Approximate prices based on UK supermarkets

Nutritional information per serving

620

Calories

30g

Protein

58g

Carbohydrates

30g

Fat

Fibre

980mg

Sodium

* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.

Method

1
Heat plenty of oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the flour tortillas one at a time until golden and very crispy, like a pizza base, about 2 minutes on each side. Drain well on kitchen paper.
2
In another pan, fry the beef mince with the onion, garlic, cumin, chilli powder, salt and pepper until well browned and seasoned.
3
Warm the refried beans in a small saucepan with a little water so they are spreadable.
4
To assemble each pizza: place one crispy tortilla as the base. Spread a generous layer of refried beans. Top with the seasoned beef mince.
5
Cover with the second crispy tortilla. Add more refried beans, the red salsa and green salsa, mixed together.
6
Distribute the grated cheddar generously on top. Place in a preheated oven at 200°C or under the grill for 3–4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
7
Finish with fresh diced tomato, pickled jalapeños, sour cream and chopped spring onion. Cut into quarters and serve immediately.