Tasty Italian-Mexican Fusion Tacos

Featured in: Main Dishes

These tasty tacos combine two favorite foods with four types of meat, rich sauce, and gooey cheese tucked into warm tortillas. They're done in just 25 minutes and will please fans of both Italian and Mexican food.
Twistytaste.com
Updated on Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:17:18 GMT
Two taco shells filled with seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes, melted cheese, and garnished with parsley, served on a black plate. Pin it
Two taco shells filled with seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes, melted cheese, and garnished with parsley, served on a black plate. | twistytaste.com

Brace yourself for a taste explosion with my Pizza-Inspired Meat Tacos! I've mixed the greatest elements of tacos and pizza into one mind-blowing dish. Each mouthful delivers an incredible blend of tasty meats, tangy sauce and stretchy cheese all tucked inside a soft tortilla. My kids now beg for this fusion meal every week!

The Ideal Combo

This dish totally satisfies when you're torn between pizza and Mexican food. The combo of savory meat flavors with stretchy cheese and crunchy vegetables makes something you won't forget. It's always amusing to see guests' surprise when they discover they can enjoy pizza flavors in a handheld taco format!

Your Taco Assembly Essentials

  • Bacon: 1/2 cup, crumbled, for salty, crispy texture.
  • Bell Pepper: 1/4 cup, diced, offering sweet crunch.
  • Black Olives: 1/4 cup, sliced, for briny flavor kicks.
  • Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon, boosting overall tastiness.
  • Ground Beef: 1 lb, cooked and drained, serving as the main protein.
  • Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon, delivering authentic Italian flair.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: 1/2 cup, shredded, for that stretchy pull.
  • Pepperoni: 1/2 cup, diced, adding spicy zest.
  • Pizza Sauce: 1/2 cup, binding the pizza flavors together.
  • Red Onion: 1/4 cup, diced, giving sharp flavor contrast.
  • Salt and Pepper: To taste, for basic seasoning needs.
  • Sausage: 1/2 cup, sliced, adding extra meaty goodness.
  • Tortillas: 8 soft flour tortillas, serving as your edible vessels.

Crafting Your Creation

Warm the Tortillas
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Put tortillas on a baking tray and warm them up for 2-3 minutes.
Brown the Ground Beef
Using a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no pink remains. Pour off any extra fat.
Mix Everything Together
Throw in your pepperoni, bacon, sausage, bell pepper, onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook everything for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and flavors blend.
Put Your Tacos Together
Smear some pizza sauce on each warm tortilla. Pile on the meat mixture, scatter mozzarella on top, and finish with olives.
Melt the Cheese
Put the tacos back in the oven for 5-7 minutes until cheese gets bubbly and melty.
Ready to Eat
Take them out, let them cool slightly, and serve them while they're still warm with extra toppings.

Fancy Finishing Touches

We always put out bowls of ranch, sour cream and sliced jalapeños at our table. Some extra dipping sauces like warm marinara really make these babies shine. You'll want to eat them right away when the cheese is all gooey and stretchy!

Custom Creations

Don't stick to my recipe if you don't want to! I sometimes throw in some sliced mushrooms or baby spinach for more veggies. You can swap in keto-friendly tortillas or use lettuce cups if you're watching carbs. My buddy Dave adds hot sauce and chopped chilies for an extra kick.

Kitchen Wisdom

My grandma taught me the tricks! Always use fresh toppings with those rich meats and don't skip warming your tortillas or they'll crack. Try mixing cheeses like mozzarella with a bit of cheddar for amazing flavor depth.

Storage Smarts

You can keep these in your fridge for up to 3 days without problems. When you want to eat them again, just heat them at 350°F to keep everything crispy. I often make a double batch and freeze them for quick dinners later on!

Clever Cooking Hacks

Try sprinkling fresh basil on top after cooking for amazing flavor. Hot sauce lovers should definitely add some crushed red pepper flakes throughout the meat mix. Brown rice tortillas work great if anyone's avoiding wheat at your table!

Two loaded tacos filled with seasoned ground meat, black beans, cheese, and fresh cilantro, served on a wooden board. Pin it
Two loaded tacos filled with seasoned ground meat, black beans, cheese, and fresh cilantro, served on a wooden board. | twistytaste.com

Unforgettable Flavor Fusion

These tacos stand out from the crowd by bringing together two food favorites in one incredible package. They work for practically any situation from Tuesday night family meals to weekend gatherings with your buddies.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make parts of these tacos beforehand?
Sure thing! You can cook the meat mix up to 2 days early and keep it in the fridge. You can also chop all toppings ahead of time, then just heat up the meat, warm your tortillas, and put everything together when you're ready to eat.
→ What's a good way to heat tortillas for this dish?
The recipe mentions oven warming, but you can also heat them in a dry pan over medium heat for about 30 seconds each side, or wrap them in damp paper towels and pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds. You want them soft but not crispy.
→ How can I make these tacos without meat?
You can swap out all the meats for cooked mushrooms, plant-based meat crumbles, and veggies like zucchini and eggplant. Just add extra Italian herbs and garlic to keep that pizza taste.
→ What foods go well with these tacos?
They're great with garlic bread, Caesar salad, or Italian pasta salad. You might also try typical taco sides like Mexican street corn or refried beans for a true mix of both food traditions.
→ How do I add more heat to these tacos?
Mix in some red pepper flakes or cayenne to the meat while it's cooking, or add spicy toppings like jalapeños or hot pepperoni. You can also serve them with spicy tomato sauce or hot sauce on the side.

Cheesy Meat Tacos

A fun mashup putting pizza flavors in taco form, loaded with beef, pepperoni, bacon, and sausage under a blanket of bubbly mozzarella.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American-Italian

Yield: 5 Servings (8 tacos)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 lb ground beef.
02 1/2 cup diced pepperoni.
03 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon.
04 1/2 cup sausage slices.
05 1/2 cup pizza sauce.
06 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded.
07 1/4 cup sliced black olives.
08 1/4 cup diced bell pepper.
09 1/4 cup diced red onion.
10 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
11 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
12 Salt and pepper, to taste.
13 8 tortillas.

Instructions

Step 01

Cook the ground beef in a big skillet on medium heat until it's no longer pink. Pour off the extra grease.

Step 02

Toss in the pepperoni, bacon, sausage, bell pepper, onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook everything together for about 5 minutes.

Step 03

Set your oven to 350°F. Stick the tortillas in for 2-3 minutes till they're soft and pliable.

Step 04

Take out the warm tortillas. Smear some pizza sauce on each one and add a layer of the meat mix.

Step 05

Scatter mozzarella cheese and black olives over your meat mixture.

Step 06

Put them back in the oven for 5-7 minutes until the cheese gets all melty and bubbly.

Step 07

Let your tacos sit for a minute before eating so all the flavors can blend together nicely.

Notes

  1. You can throw in other pizza toppings you love, like mushrooms or spicy jalapeños.
  2. Try serving with a side of marinara for dipping to make them taste even more like pizza.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet.
  • Oven.
  • Baking sheet.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
  • Protein: 15 g