Des Moines Taco Pizza
A pizza crust topped with refried beans, seasoned taco beef, and melted cheese, finished with fresh lettuce and tomato after baking, an Iowa pizzeria invention.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 480 kcal
Equipment
- •Pizza pan
- •Skillet
Nutrition
Per serving, approximate
- Calories
- 480 kcal
- fat
- 24
- carbs
- 45
- protein
- 22
- calories
- 480
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 475°F. Stretch the pizza dough onto a greased pizza pan.
- 2
Brown the ground beef in a skillet. Stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water, then simmer until thickened.
- 3
Spread the refried beans evenly over the pizza dough as the base layer.
- 4
Top with the seasoned taco beef. Sprinkle the cheese blend evenly over the top.
- 5
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. The crust should be golden and the cheese fully melted.
- 6
Remove the pizza from the oven. Immediately top with shredded lettuce and diced tomato.
- 7
Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips over the top if using.
- 8
Slice the pizza and serve with salsa on the side.
Chef's tips
Add the lettuce and tomato only after baking so they stay fresh and crisp. Pre-bake the crust for a few minutes if it gets soggy under the bean layer.
Storage
Refrigerate slices without the lettuce and tomato topping for up to 2 days.
Reheating
Reheat the base in a 375°F oven, then add fresh lettuce and tomato after reheating.
Common mistakes to avoid
- •Adding lettuce and tomato before baking, which wilts them.
- •Skipping the bean layer, which is central to the dish's identity.
Serving suggestions
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