Mexican Pizza

What happens when you mix the cheesy goodness of pizza with the bold flavors of Mexican food? You get Mexican Pizza—a dish that’s part comfort food, part fiesta on a plate. This recipe is easy to love and surprisingly simple to make. Think spiced meat, refried beans, and melted cheese on a crispy crust. Whether you’re cooking with family, hosting a game night, or just craving something exciting, this recipe has got your back.

Here’s how to make it step-by-step, plus a few tips for tweaking it to fit your taste.

Quick Recipe Breakdown

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yields: 16 slices (perfect for sharing… or leftovers)
• Skill Level: Easy, with just a touch of finesse.
• Tools You’ll Need:
  • Mixing bowl (or a stand mixer if you’re fancy)
  • Rolling pin
  • Baking sheet or pizza stone
  • Saucepan
  • Skillet

Pro Tip:

Want to save time? Make the dough and sauce ahead. Dough can chill in the fridge for a day or freeze for weeks. Sauce keeps for three days in the fridge or even longer in the freezer.

What You’ll Need

For the Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp instant dry yeast
• ½ cup warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Main Toppings:

• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¾ lb ground beef or chicken
• 3 oz crumbled chorizo
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• A splash of Tabasco (optional, for heat)
• 2 cups pureed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
• ½ cup refried beans
• A handful of fresh herbs (like rosemary and oregano)
• 2-3 bay leaves

For the Extras:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• A handful of olives
• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
• Pepperoni or ham (optional)

Swap It Up:

Don’t have all the ingredients? No problem:

• No chorizo? Try spiced tofu or plant-based sausage for a vegetarian version.
• Want more authentic cheese? Use Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend.
• No refried beans? Mash up some black beans instead.

How to Make It

Step 1: Mix the Dough

Start by combining the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Gradually add warm water and olive oil as you stir the mixture. Once the ingredients come together, knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic. If you’re doing this by hand, expect it to take about 10 minutes. Using a stand mixer? You’ll cut that time in half. When the dough feels stretchy and soft, shape it into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm spot for about 40 minutes, or until it doubles in size.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

While the dough is rising, it’s time to whip up the tomato sauce. Heat some olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add minced garlic along with fresh rosemary, oregano, and bay leaves. Let the mixture cook until the garlic is golden and fragrant—it’ll smell amazing. Then, pour in the pureed tomatoes and simmer the sauce gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Before using, remove the herbs to keep the sauce smooth.

Step 3: Prep the Meat

Heat a skillet on medium and cook the ground meat and crumbled chorizo until browned. Break up any clumps with a wooden spoon as they cook. Once the meat starts to sizzle and release its juices, season it with smoked paprika, a pinch of black pepper, and salt. If you like a little spice, add a splash of Tabasco for an extra kick. You can also stir in the refried beans here, or save them for spreading on the pizza later before baking—it’s entirely up to you.

Step 4: Build Your Pizza

Preheat your oven to 400°F and get ready to assemble. Roll out the dough into a large circle if you want one big pizza, or divide it into two smaller rounds for sharing. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a border around the edges for that classic pizza crust look. Next, layer on the spiced meat, followed by a generous sprinkling of mozzarella cheese. Now comes the fun part—add whatever toppings you love. Bell peppers, olives, jalapeños, pepperoni, or ham all work beautifully, but feel free to get creative!

Step 5: Bake It

Slide the pizza onto a baking sheet or pizza stone, then bake it in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it—the cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the crust should turn a lovely golden brown. Once it’s out of the oven, let the pizza cool for a couple of minutes before slicing. And that’s it! Your Mexican Pizza is ready to serve.

Make It Your Own

Diet-Friendly Options:

• Gluten-free? Use store-bought gluten-free dough.
• Vegetarian? Replace meat with spiced black beans or lentils.

Spice Levels:

Like it mild? Skip the Tabasco and jalapeños. Love the heat? Add extra chili powder or cayenne pepper.

Dress It Up:

For a fancier vibe, top with crema fresca, fresh cilantro, and avocado slices after baking.

Serve It, Store It, Love It

Best Served With:

• Lime wedges for squeezing over slices
• Guacamole or salsa verde for dipping
• A side of Mexican rice or a crisp green salad

Leftovers? Here’s What to Do:

• Fridge: Store slices in an airtight container for up to three days.
• Reheat Like This:

1. Oven method: Heat at 350°F for 10 minutes. Keeps the crust crispy.
2. Skillet method: Warm on medium heat, lid on, no extra oil.

Why You’ll Love It

This Mexican Pizza is a flavor-packed crowd-pleaser that’s totally customizable to your taste. Whether you like it spicy, cheesy, or veggie-packed, it’s bound to become one of your go-to recipes. So roll up your sleeves, give it a try, and let the fiesta begin!

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