If you love the bold flavors of Mexican food combined with the irresistible comfort of pizza, you are going to adore this Sheet Pan Taco Pizza Recipe. It’s a vibrant, cheesy, and satisfying dinner that brings together seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, fresh veggies, and all the classic taco toppings on a crispy, golden crust that you can make easily all in one pan. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or a fun weekend meal with friends and family, delivering all the festive flavors without the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this sheet pan taco pizza recipe plays a crucial role, from the dough’s crisp foundation to the fresh toppings that brighten every bite. These simple essentials come together to create a delightful balance of textures and flavors that make this dish so irresistible.
- Pizza dough: Provides the sturdy, chewy base your toppings will shine on, so look for a good-quality dough or make your own for extra love.
- Olive oil: Helps the crust bake evenly while adding a touch of richness, especially when brushed over the edges.
- Ground beef: The hearty protein that absorbs all those taco spices, giving you that familiar savory taste.
- Taco seasoning: The magic blend of spices that infuses the beef with authentic taco flavor.
- Water: Used to simmer the beef and seasoning together, making the mixture juicy and flavorful.
- Salsa: Adds a zesty, tomatoey punch to the meat that livens up the entire pizza.
- Cheddar cheese: A sharp, creamy layer that melts beautifully and complements the bold taco spices.
- Mozzarella cheese: Offers that classic gooey meltiness and keeps the pizza delightfully stretchy.
- Black olives: Bring a briny contrast that cuts through the richness of the cheese and beef.
- Red onion: Adds a crisp, slightly pungent bite that awakens the palate.
- Diced tomatoes: Fresh and juicy, these brighten the pizza’s flavor and give a refreshing balance.
- Shredded lettuce: Provides a cool, crunchy texture that’s essential for that authentic taco feel.
- Sour cream: Adds creamy tang that mellows the spiciness and elevates every bite.
- Chopped cilantro: Offers a burst of herbal freshness to finish the pizza with flair.
How to Make Sheet Pan Taco Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C), ensuring it’s hot enough for a crispy crust. While the oven warms, roll out your pizza dough on a lightly floured surface so it fits perfectly onto your sheet pan. Getting the dough evenly thin all over will help it cook uniformly, giving you that perfect base for all your delicious toppings.
Step 2: Shape and Oil the Dough
Transfer your rolled dough onto the sheet pan and gently press it down to cover the whole surface evenly. Next, brush the dough with a tablespoon of olive oil, making sure to coat not just the center but the edges too. This step is key to achieving a golden, crispy crust that has a lovely flavor and texture.
Step 3: Cook and Season the Ground Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook your ground beef until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks to ensure even browning. Once there’s no pink left, add your packet of taco seasoning along with half a cup of water and half a cup of salsa. Stir everything together and let it simmer for a few minutes until the mixture thickens. This creates that juicy, flavorful taco meat you’ll layer over your pizza.
Step 4: Assemble the Pizza Layers
Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly over your oiled dough, covering it edge to edge for every bite to have that delicious taco essence. Then, sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese, followed by mozzarella cheese on top. The combination of cheeses melts into a gooey, flavorful blanket that holds everything together wonderfully.
Step 5: Add Olives and Onion, Then Bake
Scatter sliced black olives and diced red onion across the cheesy surface for bursts of briny and sharp flavors. Slide your sheet pan into the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted into a bubbly masterpiece. This step is where all those layers transform into a beautifully cohesive dish.
Step 6: Top with Fresh and Creamy Ingredients
After removing the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a minute or two to settle. Then, top with fresh diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce for crunchy, juicy freshness that balances the savory meat and cheese. Drizzle sour cream over the top for cooling creaminess, and finish with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro to give the pizza an herbaceous lift that awakens the whole experience.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Cut your taco pizza into squares for easy sharing and dive in immediately while it’s warm, melty, and bursting with flavor. This Sheet Pan Taco Pizza Recipe is sure to become one of your go-to meals because it’s just as fun to make as it is to eat!
How to Serve Sheet Pan Taco Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing your taco pizza with fresh, cool ingredients like diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and cilantro adds layers of texture and flavor that elevate the dish to the next level. These fresh toppings add brightness, creaminess, and a lovely contrast that perfectly complements the savory, cheesy base.
Side Dishes
For a complete fiesta-style meal, serve your taco pizza with some simple sides like a zesty black bean salad, Mexican street corn, or a bowl of guacamole and tortilla chips. These accompaniments bring extra freshness and crunch, making your meal feel like a full-on taco night celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving this at a party or family gathering, consider slicing the pizza into bite-size squares or even using small cookie cutters to make fun shapes. Layer the pizza on colorful serving platters and add lime wedges and jalapeño slices for an extra pop of flavor and charm. Presentation helps this Sheet Pan Taco Pizza Recipe shine and makes it even more inviting to your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover taco pizza keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Be sure to cover it well to preserve moisture and prevent the crust from drying out. When you’re ready to eat, the flavors will still be vibrant and satisfying.
Freezing
You can freeze your baked taco pizza slices by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then placing in a freezer bag. Frozen slices last up to two months and thaw quickly in the fridge overnight. This method is great for meal prep or anytime you want a quick, flavorful snack handy.
Reheating
For best results, reheat your pizza slices on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 8 to 10 minutes. This method restores the crispy crust and melty cheese much better than a microwave. If you’re in a hurry, a quick zap in the microwave works too but may result in softer crust.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought taco seasoning for this recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought taco seasoning works perfectly and saves time, but feel free to adjust the amount according to your taste preferences or make your own blend for a personalized touch.
What if I don’t eat beef? Can I use chicken or beans instead?
Yes, you can swap ground beef for cooked shredded chicken or black beans for a delicious vegetarian version of the sheet pan taco pizza. Just season them with taco spices in the same way to keep the flavor profile intact.
Is pizza dough the only base I can use?
While pizza dough is ideal for a chewy, crispy crust, you can try using pre-made flatbreads or even tortillas for a thinner, crispier base. Just adjust baking times accordingly to avoid burning.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely! Use a gluten-free pizza dough available in many stores, and make sure your taco seasoning and other ingredients are gluten-free certified. This way, you won’t miss out on any of the fun flavors.
How spicy is this Sheet Pan Taco Pizza Recipe?
The heat largely depends on the taco seasoning and salsa you use, which you can customize to your liking. For a milder pizza, choose mild salsa and seasoning; for a spicy kick, opt for hot varieties or add jalapeños on top.
Final Thoughts
This Sheet Pan Taco Pizza Recipe is a delightful way to bring the fiesta vibes right into your kitchen with minimal effort but maximum flavor. The combination of crispy crust, savory beef, melty cheese, and fresh toppings makes every bite pure joy. Give it a try and watch it become an instant favorite in your meal rotation!
Print
Sheet Pan Taco Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Description
This Sheet Pan Taco Pizza is a delicious fusion of classic taco flavors and cheesy pizza, all baked on a convenient sheet pan. With seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar and mozzarella, and fresh toppings like tomatoes, lettuce, and cilantro, this easy-to-make pizza is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
Ingredients
Dough & Oil
- 1 package pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Beef Mixture
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup salsa
Cheese & Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it is sufficiently hot for baking the pizza.
- Roll Dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface until it fits the size of your sheet pan.
- Prepare Dough Base: Place the rolled-out dough onto the sheet pan and gently press it down to cover the entire surface evenly.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Brush the dough with the tablespoon of olive oil, coating both the edges and the center for a crispy crust.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Brown Beef: Cook the beef until it is browned and no longer pink, which takes about 6-8 minutes.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning packet with the cooked ground beef to infuse the classic taco flavors.
- Mix Water and Salsa: Pour in the water and salsa into the skillet and mix thoroughly.
- Simmer Mixture: Let the beef mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and develop flavor.
- Spread Beef on Dough: Evenly spread the thickened beef mixture over the prepared pizza dough in the sheet pan.
- Add Cheddar Cheese: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef layer.
- Add Mozzarella Cheese: Follow by sprinkling 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the cheddar.
- Add Olives: Distribute 1/4 cup of sliced black olives over the cheese layer.
- Add Red Onion: Top with 1/4 cup of diced red onion for a bit of sharpness and crunch.
- Bake Pizza: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for a couple of minutes to let the toppings set.
- Add Fresh Tomatoes: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes over the baked pizza for freshness.
- Add Lettuce: Top with 1/2 cup of shredded lettuce to add a crisp texture.
- Drizzle Sour Cream: Drizzle 1/4 cup of sour cream evenly over the pizza for creaminess.
- Garnish with Cilantro: Garnish with 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro for a burst of herbal flavor.
- Serve: Slice the pizza into squares and serve immediately while fresh and warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef to lighten the dish.
- Feel free to add jalapeños or hot sauce to increase the spiciness.
- To make the crust crispier, bake the dough for 5 minutes before adding toppings.
- Use pre-shredded cheese to save prep time.
- Leftover pizza can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven for best results.
