Taco Pizza: A Flavor Fiesta in Every Bite!

Taco pizza is a delicious fusion of Mexican and Italian cuisines, combining the flavors of tacos with the convenience of pizza. 

It typically features a crispy pizza crust topped with:

- Refried beans or bean sauce as the base

- Seasoned ground beef or ground turkey, similar to taco meat

- Shredded cheese, often a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack

- Diced tomatoes or tomato sauce

- Sliced black olives or other taco-style toppings

- Salsa or hot sauce for added flavor

- Optional toppings like diced onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, or sour cream

The result is a unique and delicious pizza that blends the spicy, savory flavors of a taco with the comforting, cheesy goodness of a pizza. It's a perfect dish for adventurous eaters and fans of Mexican-Italian fusion cuisine!

Here are some notes for making this taco pizza:

You have the option to either make homemade pizza dough or buy it pre-made. Many bakeries offer pre-made dough for about $2. The weight of the dough may vary between 12-16 ounces. If you prefer a thicker crust, use a 12" pan, and for a thinner crust, opt for a 14" or 16" pan. Alternatively, you can even use a 9x13 pan!

While some recipes use crescent rolls or crescent roll dough, pizza dough typically yields the best results.

Here's a simple recipe to make your own taco pizza at home:

Ingredients:

For the pizza dough:

- 1 pound (450g) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)

- Cornmeal or flour for dusting

For the taco topping:

- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or turkey

- 1 packet (1.25 oz) taco seasoning mix

- 1/2 cup water

- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)

- 1 cup diced tomatoes

- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

- 1 cup shredded lettuce

- 1/2 cup sliced black olives

- 1/4 cup diced red onions (optional)

- Salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven: 

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.

2. Prepare the taco topping: 

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add the taco seasoning mix and water, stirring until well combined. Simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat.

3. Prepare the pizza dough: 

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a circle or rectangle, about 12 inches (30cm) in diameter. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet or pizza peel dusted with cornmeal or flour.

4. Assemble the pizza: 

Spread the taco meat mixture evenly over the pizza dough. Sprinkle black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, black olives, and diced red onions (if using) over the taco meat.

5. Bake the pizza: 

Transfer the assembled pizza to the preheated oven (or onto the preheated pizza stone, if using) and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

6. Finish and serve: 

Remove the taco pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly. Top with shredded lettuce. Serve slices of taco pizza with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole on the side for dipping or drizzling.

7. Enjoy!

Cut the taco pizza into slices and serve immediately. It's perfect for a fun family dinner or game day snack.

Feel free to customize your taco pizza with additional toppings like jalapeños, diced bell peppers, or sliced avocado according to your taste preferences.