Healthy Homemade Mexican Pizza Delight
Elevate your lunch or snack game with our Healthy Homemade Mexican Pizza Delight, a lightened-up version of the Taco Bell classic. This recipe features a delicious blend of seasoned lean ground beef, creamy refried beans, and a medley of fresh toppings, all layered between crispy tortillas. Perfect for sharing or enjoying solo, it's a guilt-free treat that delivers bold flavors and satisfying crunch. Make it your own by customizing the toppings, and enjoy a restaurant favorite right from your kitchen!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
1/2 lb (cooked and drained)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
diced minced onion
1/4 teaspoon (fresh or dehydrated)
paprika
1/4 teaspoon (smoked or sweet variety)
chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (Spanish blend recommended)
water
2 tablespoons (for cooking beef)
flour tortillas
8 (6-inch) (for stacking and baking)
cooking spray
as needed (for greasing tortillas)
low-fat refried beans
1 (16 ounce) can (heated)
diced tomato
1/3 cup (fresh)
mild picante sauce
2/3 cup (for topping)
shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
1 cup (for topping)
shredded low-fat Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup (for topping)
chopped green onion
1/4 cup (for garnish)
sliced black olives
1/4 cup (for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
2
Return the beef to the skillet, adding salt, minced onion, paprika, chili powder, and water. Stir to combine.
3
Allow the mixture to simmer on medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until well-blended.
4
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
5
Lightly spray both sides of each flour tortilla with cooking spray and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake until golden and crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
6
While the tortillas are baking, heat the can of low-fat refried beans in a small saucepan over low heat until warmed through.
7
To assemble the pizzas, start with one baked tortilla on a plate. Spread 1/3 cup of the refried beans on top.
8
Layer 1/3 cup of the seasoned ground beef mixture over the beans, then place another tortilla on top.
9
Spread 2 tablespoons of mild picante sauce on the second tortilla.
10
Evenly distribute the diced tomatoes, shredded low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded low-fat Monterey Jack cheese, sliced black olives, and chopped green onions over the sauce-topped tortilla.
11
Transfer the assembled pizzas back to the oven and bake for an additional 8-12 minutes, or until the cheeses are melted and bubbly.
12
Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and cut into wedges before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Healthy Homemade Mexican Pizza Delight?
It is a lightened-up, healthy version of the classic Taco Bell Mexican Pizza featuring seasoned lean ground beef, refried beans, and fresh toppings layered between crispy tortillas.
How do I prepare the beef for this Mexican pizza?
Brown 1/2 lb of lean ground beef in a skillet, drain the fat, then simmer with salt, minced onion, paprika, chili powder, and water for 10 minutes.
What oven temperature is required?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C) for both crisping the tortillas and melting the cheese.
How do I get the tortillas crispy?
Lightly spray both sides of the flour tortillas with cooking spray and bake them for 5-7 minutes until they are golden and crisp.
What are the layers of the Mexican Pizza?
Start with a baked tortilla, spread 1/3 cup of refried beans, add 1/3 cup of beef, place a second tortilla on top, add sauce, and finish with toppings.
How long does the final baking take?
Once assembled, bake the pizzas for an additional 8-12 minutes until the cheeses are melted and bubbly.
What type of beans should I use?
The recipe calls for one 16-ounce can of low-fat refried beans, heated through before assembly.
What kind of tortillas are best for this recipe?
This recipe uses 6-inch flour tortillas, requiring 8 tortillas in total to make the stacks.
What cheese blend is recommended?
A combination of shredded low-fat cheddar cheese and shredded low-fat Monterey Jack cheese is used.
What makes this recipe a healthy option?
It utilizes lean ground beef, low-fat beans, low-fat cheeses, and is baked rather than deep-fried like traditional fast-food versions.
Can I customize the toppings?
Yes, you can customize the toppings to your preference, though the recipe suggests tomatoes, olives, and green onions.
How much beef is needed per pizza?
Each pizza uses approximately 1/3 cup of the seasoned lean ground beef mixture.
What kind of sauce is used on top?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of mild picante sauce spread over the top tortilla of each pizza.
How should I serve the Mexican Pizza?
Let the pizza cool slightly after baking and then cut it into wedges for easy serving.
What spices are used to season the beef?
The beef is seasoned with salt, minced onion, paprika, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of chili powder.
How many pizzas does this recipe make?
With 8 tortillas and the provided ingredient amounts, this recipe yields 4 double-layered Mexican pizzas.
Are black olives included?
Yes, 1/4 cup of sliced black olives are used as a garnish for the top layer.
Do I need to cook the onions?
The minced onions are simmered with the beef, while the green onions are used fresh as a garnish at the end.
What is the purpose of the water in the beef mixture?
Two tablespoons of water are added to the beef and spices to help the flavors blend while simmering.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Yes, it is family-friendly and a great way to serve a healthier version of a fast-food favorite.
Can I use different types of chili powder?
The recipe recommends a Spanish blend of chili powder for the best flavor profile.
How long do I simmer the beef mixture?
The beef should simmer on medium heat for about 10 minutes until well-blended.
What size are the tortillas?
The recipe specifies 6-inch flour tortillas.
Should the refried beans be cold when assembling?
No, the beans should be warmed in a small saucepan over low heat before you begin assembling the pizzas.
Can I use cooking spray on the baking sheet?
Yes, although the recipe primarily calls for spraying the tortillas themselves to ensure they get crisp.
What type of paprika is best?
You can use either a smoked or sweet variety of paprika depending on your flavor preference.
How much cheese goes on each pizza?
The recipe uses 2 cups of cheese total (1 cup Cheddar, 1 cup Monterey Jack) distributed evenly across the pizzas.
Is this a quick lunch recipe?
Yes, it is designed as an easy lunch or snack that can be prepared relatively quickly at home.
Can I use fresh onions instead of dehydrated?
Yes, the recipe allows for either fresh or dehydrated diced minced onion.
What is the first step of assembly?
The first step is placing one baked tortilla on a plate and spreading it with 1/3 cup of the warmed refried beans.