Introduction

This vegan copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza is a delicious plant-based twist on the classic favorite. Featuring crispy tortillas layered with savory vegan beef, refried beans, salsa, and melted vegan cheese, it’s perfect for a hearty and satisfying meal. Easy to make and full of bold flavors, it’s sure to become a go-to dish for taco lovers.

A white plate holds a thick two-layered dish with a golden-brown toasted base layer and a top layer in a similar color. Between these layers is a rich, brown minced meat filling. The top layer is covered with melted yellow cheese, dollops of smooth white sour cream, and drizzles of dark reddish-brown sauce. On top of this, there are bright red chopped tomatoes, dark sliced black olives, green chopped herbs, and light green rings of spring onion. The dripping sauce extends slightly onto the white plate, which sits on a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

9 ounces plant-based ground beef alternative (soy or pea protein-based)

2 teaspoons taco seasoning

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 tablespoons water

Salt and pepper, to taste

8 small (6-inch) flour or corn tortillas

14 ounces vegan refried beans

1 cup salsa, mild or medium

1 1/2 cups shredded vegan cheese

Olive oil for brushing

1 medium tomato, diced

2 green onions, sliced

1/4 cup sliced black olives

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, optional

Hot sauce, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.

Step 3: Add the plant-based ground beef alternative, taco seasoning, and tomato paste to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture is browned. Add water to loosen the texture and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Step 4: Brush both sides of the tortillas lightly with olive oil. Arrange them on baking sheets and bake for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden and crisp.

Step 5: Spread a generous layer of vegan refried beans on four of the tortillas. Evenly distribute the cooked vegan beef mixture over the beans.

Step 6: Top each layered tortilla with a second crisp tortilla. Spread salsa on top and sprinkle with shredded vegan cheese.

Step 7: Place the assembled pizzas back in the oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Step 8: Remove from the oven and garnish with diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, black olives, fresh cilantro if using, and drizzle with hot sauce to taste.

Step 9: Slice into quarters and serve immediately while hot.

FAQs

Can I use regular ground beef instead of plant-based?

Yes, you can substitute regular ground beef if you are not vegan, adjusting cooking times as needed. However, to keep this recipe vegan-friendly, plant-based alternatives are recommended.