This easy taco pizza is full of bold flavors from seasoned taco meat, tangy taco sauce, and fresh vegetables. It’s a fun twist on Taco Night and a crowd-pleaser for picky eaters.
If you love tacos, you’ll enjoy this Taco Pizza. One summer we were making tacos often using fresh cilantro from the garden and decided to switch things up by putting taco ingredients on pizza dough. Taco pizza is a great way to use leftover taco meat and gives Taco Tuesday a tasty new option.
Essentially, taco pizza takes everything you’d put in a taco and layers it on a pizza crust. Top with your favorite taco ingredients, bake, and serve — simple and delicious. If you want more pizza ideas, try other recipes in your collection.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients needed for taco pizza
- Equipment Needed
- How to Make Taco Pizza
- Helpful Tips
- Substitutions and Variations
- Taco Pizza Recipe
Ingredients needed for taco pizza
- Pizza dough – store-bought or homemade.
- Ground beef or ground turkey.
- Taco seasoning – homemade or a packet.
- Water.
- Taco sauce (replaces traditional pizza sauce).
- Fresh tomatoes, sliced or diced.
- Shredded cheddar cheese or a Mexican/taco cheese blend.
- Black olives, sliced.
- Red onion, finely chopped (or use pickled red onion).
- 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 is a quick, simple dinner made from everyday ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). For a crispier crust, preheat a pizza stone or a baking sheet in the oven.
Recipe Tip – Baking on a preheated pizza stone or sheet yields a better, crispier bottom crust.
Cook the ground meat in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat, then add taco seasoning and water. Simmer on low while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
If using homemade taco seasoning, add about 2 teaspoons per pound of meat and ½ cup water. Alternatively, one packet of store-bought seasoning works fine.
While the meat simmers, chop tomatoes, onion, and cilantro. Stretch or roll the pizza dough onto your prepared pan. Spread taco sauce evenly over the dough, then distribute the seasoned beef over the sauce. Top with shredded cheese, tomatoes, red onion, olives, and cilantro.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime and extra cilantro if desired. For a cool contrast, serve with a dollop of sour cream or slices of avocado. This recipe makes one pizza; double it if you need to feed a family of four. Leftovers are great for lunch.
For a full pizza night, serve chips and fresh salsa or other favorite appetizers.
Helpful Tips
- Make it ahead – Dice vegetables and precook the meat to speed assembly.
- Use fresh ingredients – Fresh tomatoes, cilantro, and onions brighten the flavor.
- Hot oven – A high temperature (450°F/230°C) helps achieve a crispy crust.
- Preheat your pan – A heated pizza stone or baking sheet improves bottom crust texture.
- Watch the oven – Baking time varies by oven and crust thickness.
- Fresh herbs – Add cilantro after baking for a fresh finish.
- Let it rest – Allow the pizza to cool a few minutes before slicing so the cheese sets.
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Substitutions and Variations
- Different crusts – Try whole wheat, gluten-free, flatbread, a large tortilla, or crescent-roll crust.
- Swap the sauce – Use enchilada sauce for a different flavor profile.
- Change the protein – Ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based meat substitute work well.
- Cheese options – Try Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
- Extra toppings – Add pico de gallo, sautéed peppers, jalapeños, corn, black or refried beans, or avocado.
- Herb swap – Use green onions if you prefer to skip cilantro.
- Spice level – Add jalapeños, chili powder, or cayenne to taste.
- Vegetarian/vegan – Omit meat or use plant-based alternatives and vegan cheese.
Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and rating below. I love hearing from you.
Taco Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 ball pizza dough (store bought or homemade)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup taco sauce
- 1 cup tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (or taco cheese)
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
- Lime juice, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (preheat the baking sheet or pizza stone).
- Cook the beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning and water to the beef. Simmer on low while you prepare the vegetables (dice onions, tomatoes, and chop cilantro).
- Spread the pizza dough on your pan. Pour taco sauce evenly over the dough, then spread the cooked beef on top. Add cheese, tomatoes, onion, olives, and cilantro.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Optionally drizzle lime juice and add more cilantro. Serve with sour cream or avocado if desired.
Notes
Special Equipment Needed
- Pizza cutter
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 52 g
Protein: 35 g
Fat: 37 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Cholesterol: 109 mg
Sodium: 1367 mg
Potassium: 428 mg
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 9 g
Calcium: 230 mg
Iron: 5 mg
Nutrition information is approximate and should be used as a guide.