Name: Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 package (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 pound ground beef; 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning; 1/2 cup water; 1 cup refried beans; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded lettuce; 1/2 cup diced tomatoes; 1/4 cup sliced black olives; 1/4 cup sliced green onions; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/4 cup taco sauce (or hot sauce)

Jump to Recipe

Get ready for the ultimate flavor mashup that’s guaranteed to steal the show at your next gathering! Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe is a dazzling fusion of two beloved classics in one easy, crowd-pleasing dish. Picture a golden, crisp pizza crust loaded with zesty taco beef, creamy refried beans, melted cheddar, and all your favorite fresh toppings—it’s the kind of appetizer that disappears in minutes. Whether you’re hosting a lively game night, a festive holiday bash, or a casual family dinner, you can count on this recipe to bring everyone together around the table.

Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This irresistible dish calls for staple ingredients that are easy to find but pack a punch when it comes to flavor and texture. Every component, from the chewy pizza dough base to the crisp lettuce on top, plays its part in making this appetizer beautifully balanced and full of color.

Refrigerated pizza dough (1 package, 13.8 oz): The perfect sturdy base for all those delicious toppings, and so convenient!
Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Brushed on the dough for a golden, flavorful crust.
Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a savory depth to the crust that hints at garlic bread.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Highlights every flavor and gives the crust a little pop.
Ground beef (1 pound): The star of your taco filling—hearty and packed with protein.
Taco seasoning (1 packet, 1 oz): Instantly infuses the beef with that signature Tex-Mex kick.
Water (1/2 cup): Helps blend the taco seasoning into the beef for a saucy, flavorful mix.
Refried beans (1 cup): Adds creaminess and helps everything stick together beautifully.
Shredded cheddar cheese (2 cups): Melts into gooey, cheesy goodness that pulls the whole pie together.
Shredded lettuce (1 cup): The cool, crunchy contrast to all that warmth and spice.
Diced tomatoes (1/2 cup): Adds juicy bursts of freshness in every bite.
Sliced black olives (1/4 cup): For a briny, savory finish that completes the taco vibe.
Sliced green onions (1/4 cup): Lends a gentle bite and a pop of color on top.
Sour cream (1/2 cup): Dreamy drizzles keep things cool and creamy.
Taco sauce or hot sauce (1/4 cup): Add your fave for just the right amount of zing!

How to Make Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Prebake the Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease your largest baking sheet or pizza pan for easy cleanup. Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto the pan and gently stretch it to fit—if the dough feels a bit tight, let it sit for a few minutes and it’ll become much easier to work with. This step is all about forming that perfectly crisp, golden base that can hold up to every layer of flavor to come.

Step 2: Flavor the Dough

Next, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl. Brush this garlicky, savory oil all over your dough. It gives the crust a beautiful sheen and infuses every bite with irresistible flavor, making the foundation of your Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe taste like the best garlic bread ever!

Step 3: Parbake

Pop the crust into the oven for 10–12 minutes, until it turns a lovely golden brown and is cooked through. Don’t rush this part—the slightly crisp edges create the perfect canvas for all those bold toppings. Remove from the oven and let your crust cool for a few minutes before layering on the toppings.

Step 4: Cook the Taco Meat

While your crust parbakes, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up so it cooks evenly. Once browned, drain off any excess grease. Sprinkle in your taco seasoning and pour in the water, stirring until everything is well combined. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes, until the beef is beautifully seasoned and the liquid has evaporated, leaving you with the perfect taco filling.

Step 5: Assemble the Pizza

Spread the refried beans over the slightly cooled crust, right up to the edges for even coverage. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the beans, and then evenly spoon the cooked taco beef on top. Each layer locks in flavor and ensures every bite includes a bit of everything.

Step 6: Final Bake

Return your assembled pizza to the oven for another 5–7 minutes, just until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly. The mouthwatering aroma filling your kitchen is your cue—this is what makes Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe absolutely unforgettable.

Step 7: Top and Finish

Once the pizza’s out of the oven, let it cool slightly before piling on the cold toppings. Scatter the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, black olives, and green onions all over the top for texture, color, and freshness. Finish with gorgeous drizzles of sour cream and a good zigzag of taco sauce or your favorite hot sauce for that signature taco tang.

Step 8: Slice and Serve

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the finished pizza into party-perfect wedges. Serve it up right away while the crust is still crisp and the cheese is warm and gooey—you’ll be amazed at how quickly it disappears!

How to Serve Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe

Garnishes

Don’t underestimate the power of toppings to jazz up your presentation! For this pizza, a final sprinkle of extra green onions, a few more black olive slices, or even a dusting of crumbled cotija cheese can make it pop. A handful of chopped cilantro also adds a wonderful fresh zing and color.

Side Dishes

Serve Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe with crunchy tortilla chips, a bowl of fresh salsa, or even some guacamole for extra fiesta vibes. Pairing with a fresh corn salad, fiesta rice, or a zesty slaw makes the whole spread even heartier and more satisfying—ideal for a larger crowd.

Creative Ways to Present

For a truly eye-catching presentation, try slicing your pizza into small rectangles and serve as easy hand-held bites at parties. Arrange the slices on a rustic wooden board, add colorful flags or picks, or serve alongside single-serve dipping sauces. You can even pre-drizzle with sour cream in a zigzag pattern for a playful touch that’ll wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover slices of Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For the crispiest results, store without the cold toppings if possible, and add them fresh right before eating.

Freezing

If you’d like to make this recipe ahead, simply assemble and bake the pizza with beans, beef, and cheese, then cool it completely and freeze it, tightly wrapped. When ready to serve, reheat in the oven, then add all the fresh toppings right before serving for just-made taste and texture.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, pop slices into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 7–10 minutes until heated through and slightly crisp. Avoid microwaving if you want to maintain that golden, crunchy crust, but for a speedy snack, a microwave works in a pinch (just know it’ll be a bit softer).

FAQs

Can I make this pizza vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap out the ground beef for a plant-based ground meat alternative or cooked lentils, and keep all the other toppings the same for a vegetarian-friendly Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe.

Is this recipe spicy?

The pizza has a mild, family-friendly flavor when made as written, since most standard taco seasonings are not super hot. If you love extra spice, add jalapeño slices on top or use a spicy taco sauce drizzle!

Can I use homemade pizza dough?

Definitely! If you enjoy making your own dough, use your favorite pizza crust recipe. Just roll it out to fit your pan, and follow the rest of the directions as usual.

Can I assemble Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe ahead of time?

You can bake the crust and prepare the meat filling ahead of time, but for best texture, add the cheese, final bake, and all the fresh toppings just before serving. This keeps everything fresh and vibrant for your guests.

What toppings can I add or swap for my guests?

Feel free to get creative! Substitute shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese, add sliced jalapeños, swap black olives for pickled onions, or even add a layer of guacamole. The fun of Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe is that it’s endlessly customizable.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to impress your friends and family with something bold, easy, and downright delicious, Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe checks every box. Give it a try at your next party and watch it become everyone’s new favorite—don’t blame me when they ask you to bring it again and again!

Taco Pizza Appetizer: The Ultimate Party Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 8 reviews

Author: Jack
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Taco Pizza Appetizer combines the flavors of a taco with the convenience of a pizza, making it the perfect party recipe that will have your guests coming back for more.

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a large baking sheet or pizza pan.
Prepare dough: Unroll pizza dough onto the prepared sheet, stretch to fit. Whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, and salt; brush over the dough.
Bake dough: Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly.
Cook taco meat: Brown ground beef, drain excess grease, stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, set aside.
Assemble pizza: Spread refried beans over baked crust, top with cheddar cheese and taco meat. Bake for 5-7 minutes.
Add toppings: Remove from oven, top with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, green onions. Drizzle with sour cream and taco sauce.
Serve: Slice into wedges and serve immediately.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican