Big Game Eats, Dinner, PizzaStephanie DeMarrTaco, Pizza, Cheese

Taco Pizza with Mexi-Sauce

Big Game Eats, Dinner, PizzaStephanie DeMarrTaco, Pizza, Cheese
Taco Pizza with Mexi-Sauce

I live in a house where we really love traditions-ok I love traditions and I force the rest of the house to go with me! But in all seriousness, I find so much value in having things you and your people do together year after year, no matter what you celebrate. One of the best ways I have found to create new traditions is around food. We've recently gotten big into Pizza Friday, which is exactly what it sounds like. But in my house, instead of dialing for pizza, we make it!

But like all good things, after awhile I start to lose my mojo. I LOVE the idea of a food to look forward to every week, but some weeks the thought of another pizza with sausage, pepperoni or even one of my fun tweaks (links can be found below “Tips” at the end of the post) is just. too. much. pizza.

What to do? Well you could just stop making pizza on Fridays for awhile, but what fun is that? Instead, I really tap into my creative side to think of new and tasty ways to have my pizza and not be bored. I started to think about what kind of pizza I order when we go out that I don't make at home and remembered Taco Pizza! There's a local pizza place that does the best Taco Pizza ever! So I set to work to try and find some of that taco tastiness. I began by thinking about what sauce would go on a taco pizza. I made a few Mexican inspired sauces and even considered tomato sauce. I finally found a sacue that is a great mix of taco and pizza. Toss on some seasoned ground beef and cheese and it’s a winner! Take your pizza night to new places this week with this fun and tasty pie.

Taco Pizza with Mexi-Pizza Sauce

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

For the Sauce

  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 can Mexican style diced tomatoes, divided and drained with juices reserved
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • a pinch crushed red peppers
  • pepper to tate

For the Pizza

  • 1 pizza crust, pre-made or homemade
  • cornmeal and vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 lb. ground beef
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • Remainder of can of Mexican style diced tomatoes from the Sauce
  • 2 cups Mexican Blend shredded cheese
  • desired toppings (sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, avocado)

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, combine tomato sauce, cumin, pepper, 1/2 cup of the Mexican style diced tomatoes, crushed red peppers and 1/4 cup of the reserved tomato juices and heat on medium until it comes to a boil
  2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes until sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and set aside
  3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
  4. Warm a skillet over medium heat and add ground beef and cook until no pink remains, breaking the beef apart so no large chunks remain and draining any fat.
  5. Add taco seasoning to the beef and water and mix well to combine. Allow to simmer until some of the water evaporates and beef is well coated in seasoning, 5-7 minutes
  6. Cover a large baking sheet or pizza pan with a generous coat of vegetable shortening. Gently sprinkle cornmeal over the pan and place dough on
  7. Cover dough with sauce, cheese, seasoned ground beef and remaining Mexican style diced tomatoes
  8. Bake in oven for 12-14 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden
  9. Top with crushed tortilla chips (optional) and serve with favorite Mexican style toppings

Tips

  • The sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Any leftover sauce can be stored for up to three additional days in the refrigerator. If you like a little less heat, feel free to omit the crushed red peppers from the sauce to tone it down a bit.
  • Crushed tortilla chips are optional and not preferred by some of my people, but to me they make the pizza great! If you are unsure, serve the tortilla chips with the toppings and top single slices with the chips so everyone can have a say. But no matter what this is super yum!
  • I prefere a from scratch pizza dough, but any premade dough or crust will work. Same goes for the taco seasoning, you can purchase one of the packets but please note you will have leftovers. If you go homemade, give my pizza dough a try and while you are at it, whip up a big batch of homemade taco seasoning. I promise you will find many ways to use this yummy seasoning up!