Pizza Hut Taco Pizza Recipe: How to Recreate the Legend at Home
There’s something undeniably fun about combining two favorites—pizza and tacos—and that’s exactly what this recipe is about. Inspired by the much‑missed menu item from Pizza Hut, the “Taco Pizza”, this recipe brings together a crisp crust, refried‑bean “sauce”, seasoned beef, generous cheddar, and all the fresh taco‑style toppings. If you’re craving that nostalgic flavor, you’ve come to the right place.
Why you’ll love Pizza Hut Taco Pizza Recipe
- It gives you the best of both worlds: the cheesy, melty goodness of pizza and the layered flavor of taco toppings.
- It’s perfect for game nights, family dinners, or a fun “make your own” party.
- With a few ingredients and a little prep work, you can make it completely from scratch—or semi‑homemade for convenience.
Ingredients for Pizza Hut Taco Pizza Recipe (1 large pizza – about 14‑inch)
(Feel free to scale up or down to suit your crowd.)
- 1 ball of pizza dough (roughly 14‑inch diameter) — store‑bought works fine.
- Sauce layer:
- ~16 oz (1 can) refried beans
- 1–2 Tbsp water (to thin the beans so they spread easily)
- 1 Tbsp bacon grease (or lard/butter)
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- Beef layer:
- ~1 lb (≈ 450 g) ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or ~2 Tbsp homemade taco seasoning)
- Optional: ½ cup diced onion
- Cheese layer:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (mix in a little mozzarella if desired)
- Toppings (after baking):
- 1 head iceberg or other lettuce, shredded
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- Optional: sour cream, taco sauce, crushed tortilla chips
Equipment
- Pizza pan or baking sheet (or pizza stone)
- Oven preheated to ~400 °F (≈ 200‑205 °C)
- Sharp knife and cutting board for toppings
Instructions – Step-by-Step for Pizza Hut Taco Pizza Recipe
- Preheat your oven to ~400 °F (≈ 200 °C). Place your pizza pan in the oven if using a pizza stone or for a crisp crust.
- Prepare the beef:
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
- Add the taco seasoning and cook until well combined. Let it cool slightly.
- Make the bean “sauce”:
- In the same skillet (or small saucepan), melt the bacon grease. Add refried beans, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and a little water to reach a spreadable consistency. Stir until smooth and warm.
- Roll out/shape your dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll your dough into a ~14‑inch circle and transfer it to the prepared pan.
- For extra flavor, brush the rim with garlic‑infused olive oil or melted butter.
- Assemble before baking:
- Spread the bean sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small crust edge.
- Sprinkle the seasoned beef over the bean layer.
- Sprinkle about 1/3 of the cheese across the beef and beans — this helps hold the toppings while baking.
- Bake:
- Place the pizza in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Adjust time based on crust thickness.
- Add fresh toppings:
- After baking, sprinkle shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and diced onion evenly across the hot pizza.
- Add the remaining cheese so it melts slightly from residual heat.
- Optional: drizzle sour cream or taco sauce, or add crushed tortilla chips for crunch.
- Serve immediately:
- Let it rest for 1–2 minutes so the cheese sets slightly. Slice and serve while warm & crisp.
Why this version works
- The bean layer gives the pizza that authentic “taco‑mex” feel while anchoring the beef.
- Layering (bean base → beef → some cheese → bake → fresh toppings) ensures hot melty goodness and crisp fresh contrasts.
- Fresh toppings added after baking preserve texture and color, similar to the nostalgic Pizza Hut version.
Tips & Variations
- Crust options: Store‑bought dough or pre‑made pizza crust can save time. Thin crust requires slightly less bake time.
- Make it vegetarian: Replace beef with seasoned lentils or plant‑based crumbles and skip bacon grease (use butter or oil).
- Add heat: Mix chili powder or jalapeños into the beef.
- Cheese twist: Use sharp cheddar with pepper‑jack or a Mexican blend for more flavor.
- Crunch factor: Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top after slicing.
- Storage & reheating: Best fresh. Leftovers (without fresh toppings) store up to 3‑4 days in the fridge. Reheat at 350 °F for ~10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why is my crust soggy? Use less water in the bean mixture or par‑bake the dough for 3–4 minutes before adding toppings.
- Why do toppings slide off? Cheese acts as glue—cover beef and beans before baking, and rest pizza for 1 minute before slicing.
- Can I use tomato sauce instead of beans? Yes, but the signature taco‑pizza flavor comes from the bean layer.
- Can I use chicken instead of beef? Yes, cook shredded or ground chicken with taco seasoning.
- How many calories? About 550–600 kcal per serving (¼ of pizza), depending on toppings and crust.
Final Thoughts
Recreating Pizza Hut Taco Pizza at home lets you enjoy a nostalgic favorite with your own twist. The interplay of creamy refried beans, savory seasoned beef, melty cheddar, and crisp fresh toppings delivers a fun, flavorful experience perfect for pizza night. Whether sticking close to the original or tweaking it to your taste, this taco‑style pie is sure to impress.
Printable Recipe Summary:
- Prep time: ~20 minutes
- Cook time: ~15 minutes
- Total time: ~35 minutes
- Servings: ~4
- Equipment: Pizza pan or baking sheet, oven
