It’s no secret that I love fast, easy Mexican food. It satisfies all my cheesy spicy cravings! You want to know what is a secret though? The fact that when I was a kid I was absolutely addicted to Taco Bell Mexican pizzas. Like, embarrassingly so. We’d go through the drive-through sometimes after my brother’s soccer games and I’d always get one, which I would then splatter with little packets of hot sauce and eat it, one crisp, spicy piece at a time.
Ah, to be young again.
Well, if the inner kid in you also secretly {or not so secretly} loved those Mexican pizzas, this is the recipe for you! Crisp tortillas are topped with spicy lean turkey taco meat, refried beans and cheese. Perfect for after school snacks or any time, really!
Turkey taco meat is somewhat of a staple in this house. Adam likes to eat leftovers of it for breakfast with eggs and I like to roll it up in bean burritos with lots of sliced avocado for a quick lunch on the run. I use a homemade taco spice mix that I found on my friend Rachel’s site, but you can use whatever seasoning you like!
To assemble the pizzas, just top large flour tortillas with the beans, your turkey taco meat and cheese. VERY kid and guy friendly right here, folks!
We like to top our pizzas with sliced avocado and lots of salsa. Use a kitchen scissors to cut slices!
Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!
Quick n’ Easy Mexican Pizzas
serves 4
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground turkey
2 tbsp taco seasoning {store-bought or homemade}
1 can refried beans
1 cup Mexican cheese blend
4 flour tortilas
avocados for serving
salsa for serving
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with tin foil. Set aside.
Spray a large skillet with nonstick spray and crank the heat to medium/high. When hot, add the turkey and the taco seasoning — use your spatula to break the ground turkey apart. Continue cooking for about five minutes until the turkey has cooked through. Remove from heat.
Place a flour tortilla on your prepared sheet tray. Spread refried beans on top of tortilla {you may want to quickly heat the beans in the microwave so they will spread easier} then top with turkey and grated cheese. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
Bake “pizzas” for about 10-12 minutes, until cheese has melted and tortilla is crispy. Serve with sliced avocado and salsa!
Time:
30 minutes
Deb @ Dietitian Debbie Dishes
August 21, 2013 at 4:30 amYum! I have been on such a huge Mexican kick lately, so I will definitely be making these soon! (But subbing the ground turkey for tempeh to make it vegetarian, of course.) 🙂
Megan (The Lyons' Share)
August 21, 2013 at 4:31 amI was never a Taco Bell fan, but I could definitely see myself getting into these! I bet you could even throw some roasted veggies on top or add some spinach before baking to add a little green! 🙂 Looks delicious!
Lauren @ The Highlands Life
August 21, 2013 at 4:33 amThese are perfect and easy for a delicious dinner. Especially to get my guilty Taco Bell fix in which I haven’t had in yeeeaaarrrsss.
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy
August 21, 2013 at 4:58 amIs it bad that I still love those Mexican pizzas? Occasionally I still get one, minus the meat, extra beans, with lots of sauce on top. No shame.
erin @hooleywithaz
August 21, 2013 at 5:08 amthis is also my husband’s favorite go to. he has also been known to mix chili with cheese, dip chips into it, and call it a meal. this looks a little more reliable haha.
Tieghan
August 21, 2013 at 5:17 amMy family would LOVE it if I made these! They are perfect!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
August 21, 2013 at 5:18 amOoh I am totally checking out that taco spice recipe! I always try to avoid buying it in grocery stores because some have a couple of questionable ingredients on the labels, but I’m totally down for making my own!
Amy Walters, A DESIGN DOCK
August 21, 2013 at 5:29 amThis looks great…and so simple. My favourite kinda recipes. Thanks Jenna!
Bev @ Bev Cooks
August 21, 2013 at 5:55 amHail. Yes.
Caroline L.
August 21, 2013 at 6:08 amI’m still a proud Taco Bell addict, although I’ll also gladly take a copycat recipe that’s healthier and still scrumptious 😉
Coty and Mariah
August 21, 2013 at 6:12 amWe could totally get on board for this! We love Mexican food 🙂
Tucker Mahoney
August 21, 2013 at 6:21 amThese look perfect for me & my 3 toddlers! What brand of canned refried beans do you use? Yours look so much better than what I currently have on hand. Thank you!
jenna
August 21, 2013 at 9:42 amI like Amy’s 🙂
Kristin @ W [H] A T C H
August 21, 2013 at 6:24 amThese look incredible!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
August 21, 2013 at 6:44 amI was also a huge fan of the Mexican pizzas at Taco Bell. Now the thought of one scares me; who knows what’s in them! These look delicious although I would have to make them sans turkey. I’m sure they’d still be just as good!
Ilana
August 21, 2013 at 6:53 amI think I’m going to make this for dinner tonight. I’m pretty sure it’s going to become my daughter’s new favorite meal.
Ilana
August 22, 2013 at 6:55 amI did make this last night. As predicted, my daughter loved it. My husband and I also thought it was great. Definitely a quick, easy, tasty dish. Thanks so much for this recipe.
Dana
August 21, 2013 at 7:25 amI LOVE this, Jenna!!
Caitlyn
August 21, 2013 at 8:07 amI make pizzas this way all the time!! Usually I make them in a traditional pizza style with red sauce, but I like to use goat cheese, sliced bell peppers, onions and mushrooms on mine, with a little crushed red pepper for kick! Can’t wait to try them out mexican-style, my family will LOVE them!!
Suzanne de Cornelia
August 21, 2013 at 8:16 amYum, I’ll leave off the meat and this will be delicious! Thx!
Madison
August 21, 2013 at 8:46 amYES! I cannot wait to try these out. I make tortilla pizzas all the time–but with pepperoni- Cannot wait to Mexican-ize it!
Angela
August 21, 2013 at 9:24 amYum!! These look amazing!
AC
August 21, 2013 at 9:26 amWhen we do something similar at my house, we make the “crust” out of a thin (cheese only) quesadilla. It is a little easier for the kids to eat since it’s a little sturdier and you can cut it with a pizza cutter. Only adds a couple of minutes.
gail
August 22, 2013 at 8:39 amthat’s a great idea–like a “stuffed crust” mexican pizza!
shelly@ohshellsbells
August 21, 2013 at 9:30 amPersonally i am a big fan of the crunchwrap supreme, although really everything at taco bell is made of the same ingredients, just wrapped differently. I see these being made in the near future at my house!
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
August 21, 2013 at 9:46 amAhhh! These looks so delicious! I adore Mexican food, especially when it can be made quick and easy.
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance
August 21, 2013 at 10:02 amSuch a quick and easy recipe!
joelle (on a pink typewriter)
August 21, 2013 at 10:17 amFun idea! Taco Bell was a frequent after school lunch back in high school… I almost can’t believe I loved their tacos so much, looking back.
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves
August 21, 2013 at 10:41 amGenius! This would be great for busy nights during the school year 🙂
Linda
August 21, 2013 at 10:59 amWhen I was a kid I loved that Old El Paso taco meat in a can. I would inhale that stuff. That was before Mexican food was everywhere. Now, when I open a can of dog food it smells just like the Old El Paso. What was I thinking?
Kim
August 21, 2013 at 11:45 amNice and easy, just the way I like it!
Neiry
August 21, 2013 at 12:04 pmWhile this may be a tasty treat, I have to say that calling this “Mexican” in any way, shape, or form is incorrect. Simply because one puts beans or “mexican cheese blend” (queso oaxaca or chihuaha is what people use in Mexico), on something does not make it Mexican. Just like adding basil to a dish does not make it Italian, or adding dates to a dish does not make it Middle Eastern. It saddens me that this is what people think is the cuisine of Mexico. In reality, it is much more complex, flavorful, fresh, and varied than people think or care to know.
I know that you are referencing a Taco Bell dish you ate as a child and not an authentic dish, but… still. My heart breaks a little, you know? This is in no way an attack on you, and I do hope you do not take it as such. I apologize if you do. I just felt the need to raise my hand and say ‘hey guys, don’t be fooled! This has nothing to do with Mexican food! Please go taste the real thing, you’d love it!’
I thoroughly enjoy your blog and have been a reader for a long time. Thank you for giving me and fellow readers a space to voice our thoughts!
Tara
August 21, 2013 at 2:24 pmOh, please. You think you’re the only person who has had real Mexican food? Like you said, Jenna is just referencing Taco Bell.
Dana
August 22, 2013 at 5:34 amI like the way you think, Tara! 😉
Lisa
August 21, 2013 at 1:02 pmLove this quick and easy recipe! So will my kids.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
August 21, 2013 at 1:29 pmI love making pizzas on tortillas. So fast and easy and I love how crispy they always get!
rachel
August 21, 2013 at 1:54 pmTortilla pizzas are the best!
GORGEOUS and delish! Thanks for the taco seasoning love 🙂 <3
Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite
August 21, 2013 at 3:59 pmhehe, I love how guy and kid friendly are in the same category 😉 I tend to over-top my tortilla pizzas when I make them so they turn out sad and soggy. Will try adding less next time and these flavors!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry
August 21, 2013 at 4:15 pmI used to love mexican pizza’s at Taco Bell too! I’m glad I am not the only one. These though look alot healtheir and tastier.
Emily @ Life on Food
August 21, 2013 at 4:57 pmI love Mexican too. Plus you can make so many super quick, easy and delicious meals with Mexican flare. Love the Mexican pizza. Great go to from the pantry.
Corrie Anne
August 21, 2013 at 9:20 pmThis was all I used to eat before I got married…. still looks SO GOOD!!!!!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
August 21, 2013 at 10:21 pmCan’t resist Mexican flavors, ever!
Sherri
August 22, 2013 at 4:06 amThese look delicious!
Crystal @ Simply Playful Fare
August 22, 2013 at 7:54 amThese are so cute and look super easy to make! I love that a tortilla is the pizza crust.
Phil
August 22, 2013 at 11:25 amTacos are one of my favourite things to eat! Never thought of making it pizza style though. Will definitely keep this in mind next time I’m cooking dinner!
Amber @ Mamas Blissful Bites
August 22, 2013 at 2:17 pmLooks fabulous!
Haley
August 22, 2013 at 5:34 pmKitchen scissors – a Nigella Lawson staple!
Kim
August 22, 2013 at 8:04 pmYum! I love making pizzas on brown rice tortillas for an easy gluten-free crust. We should try a version like this.
Devon
August 23, 2013 at 4:30 amMy 3 favorite word combination (quick, easy, pizza). Can’t go wrong with this, definitely going to try this one.
Barbara McCrary
August 24, 2013 at 1:10 pmI was addicted to these as a kid (and high schooler) too! I’ve never thought to make them, thanks for the recipe!
Amy @ http://funfoodiefamily.com/
August 25, 2013 at 12:08 pmHa! So funny I just saw this…my husband is obsessed with Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza. I will need to make these soon! I loved your touching post on your recent trip. Once in a lifetime! Glad you had a great time!
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Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent
August 26, 2013 at 7:47 amLove trying out new Mexican Recipes… and Pizza… So this is a great combination. Definitely going to have to try it.
Michelle Torres
August 26, 2013 at 8:53 amLast night for dinner I needed to make something fast yet tasty for my daughter’s being today was their first day back to school, and I was very pleased with the way they tasted and just how simple it was to make! Everyone loved them… Making more today : )
Sheila
August 28, 2013 at 7:48 amLooks delicious! But any tips on how to make this vegetarian? Usually I just omit the meat but it looks like the turkey plays a pretty crucial role here.
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