Taco Pizza

This Easy Taco Pizza Recipe is loaded with big flavors from taco meat, taco sauce, and fresh vegetables. It is a delicious dinner that will help you change things up on Taco Night and will please even the pickiest of eaters.

Are you a taco lover? Then you will have to try this recipe for Taco Pizza! One summer, we were on a kick with tacos when using fresh cilantro from our herb garden and started changing up Taco Night by making pizza instead of tacos.

Tacos once a week on Taco Tuesday was great, but then we wanted to try something different. Taco pizza it was. This easy pizza recipe is also a great way to use up leftover taco meat. 

Taco Pizza is basically everything you would put in your taco but on pizza dough instead. You load up the dough with your favorite taco toppings and bake it - it's such an easy meal and is so delicious! I am pretty sure you are going to love this recipe. (If you are looking for more pizza recipes, I have a ton!)

Jump to:

• Ingredients needed for taco pizza
• Equipment Needed
• How to Make Taco Pizza
• Helpful Tips
• Substitutions and Variations
• Taco Pizza

Ingredients needed for taco pizza

• Pizza Dough - You can use dough from the grocery store or homemade pizza dough.
• Ground Beef or Ground Turkey
• Taco Seasoning - I use my homemade taco seasoning recipe.
• Water
• Taco Sauce
• Fresh Tomatoes, sliced or diced
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese or specifically labeled Mexican Cheese or Taco Cheese
• Black Olives, sliced
• Red Onion, finely chopped - You can also top the pizza with pickled red onions.
• Fresh Cilantro, chopped
• Fresh Lime Juice, optional

Equipment Needed

• A Large Baking Sheet or Pizza Stone
• A Cutting Board and a Sharp Knife
• ​A Large Skillet​
• Measuring Cups and Spoons

How to Make Taco Pizza

This recipe is a great, quick, and easy recipe for dinner, and it is made from simple ingredients.

First, preheat your oven to 450°F.

Recipe Tip - Use a pizza stone or a preheated baking sheet to bake your pizza. This promotes even cooking and a crispier bottom crust.

Next, cook the ground meat in a skillet over medium heat. (I like to use my cast iron skillet as it cooks a little quicker than my old regular skillet). Once you have your meat browned, drain the excess fat from the beef, then add in the taco seasoning and water. 

I like to make my own taco seasoning. The seasoning is made of just six ingredients, and I bet you have most, if not all of them, in your kitchen right now. I like to make my own because the flavor is so much better than store-bought, and it has less sodium.

I also really like that I know what exactly is in there. For one pound of beef, add two teaspoons of my taco seasoning and ½ cup of water and mix well. (Or, use one packet of taco seasoning or one serving of this Paleo Taco Seasoning if needed.) 

Turn the heat down to low and simmer while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. 

Once you have the tomatoes and onion diced up and the cilantro chopped, prepare the pizza dough. I have been buying my pizza dough from our favorite pizzeria, and it works well. Homemade dough is great, but it really does save time to buy the dough instead. 

Use your favorite dough and spread the dough onto your pizza pan or baking sheet. Pour the taco sauce evenly over the dough. (This will replace the traditional pizza sauce.) 

Sprinkle the cooked beef evenly over the sauce. Then add the toppings...cheddar cheese, tomatoes, onion, olives, and cilantro. (You can add any of your favorite pizza toppings!)

Place into your 450°F preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown. 

Drizzle fresh lime juice over the freshly baked pizza slices if you like lime on your tacos - and more cilantro. If your toppings are spicy, try adding cool, creamy toppings like a dollop of sour cream or avocado slices when serving. Enjoy!

This recipe makes one pizza. I double it and make two for my family of four. If you don't eat it all in one meal, having leftovers is perfect for lunch!

Be sure to check out my appetizers to serve with pizza post for an epic pizza night - chips and salsa would make a great appetizer for this dinner!

Helpful Tips

• Make It Ahead - Prepare some components in advance to streamline the cooking process when assembling the pizza. You can dice up the vegetables and precook the meat. Store the precooked meat in the fridge in an airtight container until you are ready to make the pizza.
• Use Fresh Ingredients - For the best taste and texture, use fresh ingredients whenever possible. Fresh tomatoes, cilantro, and onions will elevate the overall flavor.
• Use a Hot Oven - Preheat your oven to a high temperature - 450°F or 230°C - and bake for a shorter cooking time. This helps to achieve a crispy crust.
• Preheat Your Baking Pan - Use a pizza stone or a preheated baking sheet to bake your pizza. This promotes even cooking and a crispier bottom crust.
• Watch the Oven - Keep a close eye on your pizza while it's in the oven. Cooking times can vary depending on your oven and crust thickness.
• Fresh Herbs - Add fresh cilantro as a garnish after the pizza comes out of the oven. It adds a burst of freshness and color.
• Let It Cool - Allow the taco pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the cheese set and makes it easier to handle.

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Substitutions and Variations

• Use a Different Crust - Try using whole wheat or gluten-free crusts or a large tortilla, crescent roll crust, or flatbread as the crust for a unique twist.
• Mix Up the Sauce - If you don't have taco sauce, use enchilada sauce to mix things up. 
• Change Up the Meat - We like to use ground beef, but you can also use ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based meat alternative.
• Cheese - Experiment with cheese varieties like Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend for extra flavor.
• Toppings -
  • Customize toppings to your liking, such as using cherry tomatoes, fresh salsa, pico de gallo, sautéed onions, or sweet onions.
  • Try different types of olives or add jalapeños, bell peppers, or avocado for variety.
  • Substitute cilantro with green onions if you don't like cilantro.
• Spice It Up -
  • Adjust the spice level by adding ingredients like jalapeños, chili powder, or cayenne pepper.
• Serving Suggestions -
  • Top with shredded lettuce, sour cream, extra cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for an authentic taco experience.
• Vegetarian/Vegan Option -
  • Make it vegetarian by omitting the meat or using a meat substitute.
  • For a vegan version, use plant-based cheese and ground meat alternatives.
• Experiment with Toppings - 
  • Get creative by adding ingredients like black beans, refried beans, corn, or diced avocado to switch up the flavor and texture.

Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and rating below. I love hearing from you.