Taco Pan Pizza

This is such a fun, kid-friendly recipe. What's great about a recipe like this one is that you can adapt it to your family's liking. You're free to use whatever taco-style toppings you prefer.

I buy fresh pizza dough from a local grocery store, but I've, also, purchased balls of dough in the frozen section near the frozen bread dough and rolls. Many mom-and-pop pizza joints will sell you a ball or two of their dough for a couple of bucks each if you ask, too. Of course, if you have a pizza dough recipe that you like to make from-scratch (and you have the time), knock yourself out. (I, personally, don't care for the refrigerated pizza dough that comes in a tube, but that could be used if you like it.)


Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef, browned and grease drained
1 package taco seasoning
Water (as called for on the taco seasoning package)
1 - 1 pound ball pizza dough
1 can refried beans
2 - 2 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I prefer a fiesta blend)

Topping Suggestions - shredded lettuce, sliced/chopped red onions, chopped tomatoes, fresh cilantro, sliced black olives, chopped avocado, sour cream, salsa

Directions:

Prepare taco meat according to package directions. Set aside.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Press pizza dough out onto an ungreased 10 x 15 inch cookie sheet. Bake for about 8 minutes or until dough becomes slightly golden.

Meanwhile, heat refried beans in the microwave in a heat-safe bowl or in a small saucepan until warmed and loose enough to stir easily.  Remove dough from oven and spread beans in an even layer across pizza dough almost to the edges.

Top with taco meat and cheese. Return pizza to oven and bake until cheese melts - about 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and top with toppings of your choice.