Taco Pizza is a fun, quick, and delicious twist on traditional pizza night. With a fluffy crescent dough crust, a creamy seasoned cheese sauce, and all your favorite taco toppings, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that comes together in just 30 minutes. Whether you’re craving pizza or tacos, this recipe brings the best of both worlds into one mouthwatering meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Taco Pizza is the perfect combination of comfort and creativity. The crescent dough crust gives it a light, fluffy texture, while the seasoned cream cheese sauce adds a creamy richness. Topping it off with ground beef, shredded cheese, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes makes for a hearty, satisfying dish that’s bursting with flavor. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be customized with your favorite taco toppings, making it ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
1 can refrigerated crescent dough sheets
4 oz cream cheese (½ a bar), at room temperature
½ pound ground beef
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (mild, medium, or hot, based on preference)
½ cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheese
Shredded lettuce
Sliced cherry tomatoes
½ teaspoon hot sauce (or 1 teaspoon taco sauce as a substitute)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray an 8×8 baking dish with non-stick spray.
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Roll out the crescent dough sheet and fit it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
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Bake the dough for 10-15 minutes, or until golden. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning, but ensure the dough is fully cooked.
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While the crust bakes, melt the cream cheese in a small pot over low heat, stirring frequently. Once the cream cheese is softened, add taco seasoning and mix well.
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Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, draining the excess fat once browned.
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In a small bowl, mix the sour cream and hot sauce (or taco sauce).
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Once the crust is baked, remove it from the baking dish and carefully transfer it to a baking sheet. Keep the oven on.
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Spread the seasoned cream cheese sauce evenly over the baked crescent dough using a spatula.
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Layer the cooked ground beef over the cream cheese sauce.
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Drizzle the sour cream mixture over the beef (use a spoon or place the sour cream in a baggie and cut off the tip for easy drizzling).
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Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the pizza.
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Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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While the cheese melts, prepare the shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
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Once the pizza is ready, remove it from the oven and top with shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
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Slice using a pizza cutter or roller, and serve hot.
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Variations
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Add more toppings: Feel free to add extra taco toppings like diced onions, jalapeños, olives, or avocado for added flavor and texture.
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Vegetarian version: Replace the ground beef with black beans, seasoned vegetables, or a meat substitute for a delicious vegetarian taco pizza.
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Spicy kick: If you prefer a spicier pizza, increase the amount of taco seasoning or drizzle extra hot sauce on top.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store leftover Taco Pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
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Reheating: Reheat the pizza in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or microwave individual slices for 30-45 seconds until heated through.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of dough for this pizza?
Yes, you can use traditional pizza dough, pre-made pizza crust, or even a gluten-free crust as an alternative to crescent dough.
2. Can I make the ground beef ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook the ground beef mixture in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it when ready to assemble the pizza.
3. How can I make this dish spicier?
To make the Taco Pizza spicier, you can increase the amount of taco seasoning, add jalapeños to the topping, or use a spicier hot sauce.
4. Can I use turkey or chicken instead of ground beef?
Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used in place of ground beef for a leaner option.
5. Can I add more cheese to the pizza?
Absolutely! Feel free to add more cheese to the pizza for a cheesier, more indulgent dish. A combination of mozzarella and cheddar works well.
6. Can I freeze Taco Pizza?
Taco Pizza is best served fresh, but you can freeze the baked pizza for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake at 375°F (190°C) until heated through.
7. Can I make this recipe without sour cream?
If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute with plain Greek yogurt or omit it entirely and use more cheese or sauce.
8. How can I make the crust crispier?
To make the crust crispier, bake it a little longer before adding the toppings or brush it with a little olive oil before baking.
9. Can I use a larger baking dish?
Yes, you can use a larger baking dish if desired, but you may need to adjust the amount of dough and toppings to ensure everything fits properly.
10. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes?
Yes, you can use fresh diced tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes if you prefer. Just be sure to drain any excess liquid.
Conclusion
Taco Pizza is a fun, quick, and delicious way to combine the best of pizza and taco night. With a fluffy crescent dough crust, creamy cheese sauce, and all the classic taco toppings, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family. It’s easy to make, fully customizable, and ready in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal. Try this recipe for a flavorful twist on pizza!
Print
Taco Pizza
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A quick and delicious 30-minute dinner featuring a fluffy crescent dough crust, a creamy seasoned cheese sauce, and classic taco toppings for a fun twist on pizza night!
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated crescent dough sheets
- 4 oz cream cheese (½ a bar), at room temperature
- ½ pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (mild, medium, or hot, based on preference)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Sliced cherry tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce (or 1 teaspoon taco sauce as a substitute)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray an 8×8 baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Roll out the crescent dough sheet and fit it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Bake the dough for 10-15 minutes, or until golden. Keep a close eye on it as it can burn quickly, but ensure the dough is fully cooked.
- While the crust bakes, melt the cream cheese in a small pot over low heat, stirring frequently. Once the cream cheese is softened, add taco seasoning and mix well.
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet, draining the excess fat once browned.
- In a small bowl, mix the sour cream and hot sauce (or taco sauce).
- Once the crust is baked, remove it from the baking dish and carefully transfer it to a baking sheet. Keep the oven on.
- Spread the seasoned cream cheese sauce evenly over the baked crescent dough using a spatula.
- Layer the cooked ground beef over the cream cheese sauce.
- Drizzle the sour cream mixture over the beef (use a spoon or place the sour cream in a baggie and cut off the tip for easy drizzling).
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the pizza.
- Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- While the cheese melts, prepare the shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
- Once the pizza is ready, remove it from the oven and top with shredded lettuce and tomatoes.
- Slice using a pizza cutter or roller, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can customize the toppings based on your preference, such as adding jalapeños or olives for extra flavor.
- For a spicier kick, use hot taco sauce or extra hot sauce in place of the mild version.
- For a healthier option, substitute ground turkey for the beef or use a whole-wheat crescent dough.
- Make sure the crust is fully cooked before adding toppings to avoid a soggy bottom.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 830mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
