Description
Savory meat lovers pizza tacos combine classic Italian and Mexican flavors in one delicious handheld delight. Melted cheese, spicy pepperoni, and seasoned ground beef create a mouthwatering fusion that satisfies cravings and brings excitement to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 0.5 pound (1/2 lb) ground beef
- 0.5 pound (1/2 lb) Italian sausage
- 0.5 cup pepperoni slices, chopped
Cheese and Sauce:
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Other Ingredients:
- 8 small taco shells
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Sliced olives (optional)
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Brown ground beef and Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, ensuring complete cooking and draining excess fat.
- Infuse the meat with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and pizza sauce, simmering for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors thoroughly.
- Heat oven to 375F (190C) and arrange taco shells on a baking sheet for easy preparation.
- Generously load each taco shell with the seasoned meat mixture, creating a hearty base.
- Strategically layer chopped pepperoni and sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the meat, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Optional: Enhance presentation and flavor by garnishing with red pepper flakes, sliced olives, or fresh basil leaves for a gourmet touch.
- Serve immediately while cheese remains warm and crispy, preserving the optimal taste and texture of the pizza tacos.
Notes
- Customize the meat blend by experimenting with different ground meats like turkey or plant-based alternatives for a lighter version.
- Enhance flavor intensity by adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or red wine to the meat mixture for deeper umami notes.
- Opt for low-fat cheese options or reduce cheese quantity to make the recipe more diet-friendly without compromising taste.
- Toast taco shells briefly before filling to improve crispiness and prevent sogginess from meat sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-17 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 790 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg