Crispy Copycat Mexican Pizza for Easy Weeknight Dinners Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To add extra flavor, consider topping your finished pizza with a dollop of sour cream or fresh chopped cilantro. If you enjoy a bit of spice, a sprinkle of sliced jalapeños before baking can add a nice kick.

Experimenting with different types of beans or corn in the meat mixture can also add texture and depth to the dish for those who enjoy a more loaded pizza style.

If you are serving these to a crowd, you can easily scale up the recipe by using a larger baking dish. Ensure you do not overcrowd the dish to maintain the crispness of the tortillas.

Serving the pizzas immediately after they come out of the oven is key to enjoying the best texture. If you must wait, keep them in a warm oven on a low setting for a few minutes.

Variations

• Vegetarian Style: Replace the ground meat with seasoned black beans or a mix of sautéed mushrooms and peppers for a hearty, meat-free version that still packs plenty of flavor and texture.
• Spicy Version: Add diced green chilies to the meat mixture and use a spicy red sauce. Top with pickled jalapeño slices before baking to increase the heat level significantly.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Reheat

Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness.

If you have leftovers, allow the pizza to cool completely at room temperature for no more than two hours. Once cooled, place the slices in an airtight container to keep them as fresh as possible.

While the crispy texture will soften over time, proper storage helps maintain the flavor of the meat and cheese. It is best enjoyed within two days for the highest quality experience.

You can prepare the meat mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The tortillas can be kept at room temperature in a sealed bag.

When you are ready to eat, simply assemble the pizzas and bake them according to the instructions. This makes for an incredibly quick weeknight meal that requires minimal active time when you finally get to the kitchen.

Serving ideas

Serve the Mexican pizza immediately while it is hot and the cheese is still stretchy. A pizza cutter or a very sharp chef knife works best for portioning, as it will cut through the crispy tortillas without crushing the toppings. Present the pizzas on a flat plate to make it easier for guests to pick up their slices and enjoy the crunchy texture.

Pair this dish with a side of crisp lettuce or a simple salad to balance the savory, rich flavors of the pizza. A side of mild salsa or guacamole can also serve as a great accompaniment for dipping the crusts. Because this is a hearty dish, it pairs well with lighter sides, allowing the main attraction to be the star of the table during your casual meal.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Crispy Copycat Mexican Pizza for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Prep 10 minCook 15 minTotal 25 minServes 2

Ingredients

• 4 tortillas
• 1/2 lb ground meat
• 1/2 cup red sauce
• 1 cup cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Brown the ground meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook thoroughly until no pink remains, reaching an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Drain any excess fat. Lightly crisp the tortillas in a dry skillet for one minute per side to ensure a sturdy foundation for the pizza layers.
2. Place two tortillas in a baking dish. Spread a generous layer of the cooked ground meat mixture over each tortilla. Top with a second tortilla to create a sandwich effect. Spoon the red sauce over the top tortilla, spreading it evenly to the edges. Sprinkle the cheese and diced tomatoes over the red sauce layer.
3. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted and the edges of the tortillas are crispy. Remove from the oven carefully using a spatula. Let the Mexican pizza sit for one minute before cutting into quarters with a sharp knife.

Contains: gluten, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

420

Protein

22 g

Carbohydrates

35 g

Fat

20 g

Fiber

3 g

Sugar

2 g

Sodium

850 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.