Our easy Taco Pizza Recipe blends two all-time favorites into one crowd-pleasing meal. Crisp pizza crust, seasoned ground beef, a zesty sauce, and a generous blanket of melted cheese deliver the bold, familiar flavors of tacos in pizza form. This recipe is simple, adaptable, and ideal for family dinners, parties, or game-day snacks.
This post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated with additional information and new photos.
Taco Pizza Recipe
Taco pizza is a Midwest classic found in pizzerias, bars, and home kitchens. This version stays true to the familiar combination of seasoned meat, tangy sauce, and melty cheese while remaining easy to make at home. Use a sturdy crust, layer thoughtfully, and finish with fresh garnishes to keep every slice balanced and flavorful.
You can use a homemade pizza crust or a store-bought crust for convenience. Taco sauce makes a great substitute for traditional pizza sauce to provide that distinctive taco tang; a mild enchilada sauce also works well if you prefer. Season the meat with your favorite taco seasoning or a packet from the store—leftover taco meat is a perfect shortcut here.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Bold, familiar flavors — taco seasoning, tomatoes with green chilies, and taco sauce create a bright, savory profile.
- Quick and easy — simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this weeknight-friendly.
- Highly customizable — add toppings like black olives, shredded lettuce, diced onions, or crushed tortilla chips.
- Perfect for sharing — great for families, casual get-togethers, and game nights.
Recipe Shopping List
Here’s what you’ll need to assemble this taco pizza. Quantities are included in the recipe card below.
- Pizza crusts (homemade or store-bought)
- Taco sauce
- Shredded taco-blend cheese
- Ground beef
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies
- Taco seasoning
- Sour cream
- Hot sauce
- Sliced avocados
- Jalapeños
How To Make This Recipe (Overview)
This overview outlines the main steps. For exact ingredient amounts and full details, see the recipe card below.
- Prepare the crust — par-bake homemade dough to keep the crust crisp; store-bought crusts can go straight to toppings.
- Cook the meat — brown ground beef, add taco seasoning, drain excess grease, then stir in diced tomatoes and simmer briefly.
- Assemble — spread taco sauce over each crust, add the seasoned beef, and top with shredded cheese.
- Bake — bake in a preheated 425°F oven for 15–20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve — finish with sour cream, hot sauce, avocado slices, jalapeños, and optional shredded lettuce or tortilla chips.
Tips For Success
Layering and restraint with sauce are key. Too much sauce can make the crust soggy, so spread a moderate layer to balance moisture and flavor. Fully drain fatty meat so the pizza doesn’t become greasy. Add fresh toppings after baking—avocado, lettuce, and sour cream provide cool contrast to the hot, cheesy pizza.
Recipe FAQ
Wrap leftover slices in foil or place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How do I reheat taco pizza?
Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or warm in a skillet over medium heat to help crisp the crust. Microwaving is fastest but can soften the crust.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the cooked meat in advance and refrigerate until ready to assemble and bake.
What are some tasty variations?
Try shredded chicken instead of beef, swap taco sauce for salsa or enchilada sauce, or add toppings like black olives, shredded lettuce, or crushed tortilla chips for crunch.
Serve This With
- Mexican rice — a savory side that pairs well with taco-style toppings.
- Bean dip — a hearty, shareable starter that complements the pizza.
- Spicy corn salsa — a fresh, tangy contrast to the rich, cheesy pizza.
This taco pizza brings taco night and pizza night together: a crisp crust, zesty meat, and plenty of melted cheese make it irresistible. It’s quick to prepare, easy to share, and endlessly adaptable.
More Pizza Ideas
- Easy biscuit pizza poppers
- Pulled pork pizza
- Pellet-grill or Traeger-style pizzas
Homemade Taco Pizza
Homemade taco pizza is an easy, satisfying option for taco Tuesday or any night of the week.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 pizza crusts, homemade or store-bought
- 2 cups taco sauce
- 4 cups shredded taco-blend cheese
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- ¼ cup taco seasoning
- Sour cream, for garnish
- Hot sauce, for garnish
- Sliced avocados, for garnish
- Jalapeños, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare crusts. Par-bake homemade crusts to keep them crisp. Store-bought crusts can go straight to toppings.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet. Add taco seasoning and cook through, then drain excess grease.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Spread a layer of taco sauce over each crust. Top with a layer of the beef mixture, then a generous layer of shredded cheese.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with sour cream, hot sauce, avocado slices, and jalapeños. Serve hot.
Notes
If you have leftover taco meat, use it to speed up assembly. For a lighter pizza, substitute ground turkey or shredded chicken and reduce the cheese.
Nutrition (Estimate)
Amount per serving (1 slice): Calories 663; Total Fat 28g; Saturated Fat 10g; Trans Fat 1g; Cholesterol 89mg; Sodium 1605mg; Carbohydrates 66g; Fiber 5g; Sugar 5g; Protein 34g. These values are estimates; consult a trusted source if you require precise nutrition data.