Taco pizza: Where pizza and tacos collide in delicious harmony

By Justin Segelstrom

Hello, fellow food enthusiasts and culinary adventurers! Today, we're embarking on a journey that combines two beloved classics — pizza and tacos — to create a culinary masterpiece that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. Welcome to the world of taco pizza, where every bite is a symphony of flavors and textures that pays homage to the best of both worlds.

A Fond Memory:

As a lover of both pizza and tacos, I've always had a soft spot for taco pizza. One of my earliest encounters with this delectable creation was during my childhood, at a beloved family mainstay - Godfather's Pizza. This was back when I lived in Minnesota but I'm pretty sure I remember a Godfather's Pizza here in North Dakota for a while also. I can still vividly recall the first time I sunk my teeth into a slice of their taco pizza — the crispy crust, the zesty taco sauce, the melty cheese, and the array of colorful toppings. It was a revelation, a culinary fusion that left an indelible mark on my taste buds and sparked a lifelong love affair with this unique dish.

The Marriage of Two Favorites:

Pizza and tacos hold a special place in many of our hearts. Pizza nights are synonymous with family gatherings, lazy weekends, and late-night cravings, while tacos are the ultimate comfort food, offering endless possibilities for customization and flavor exploration. So, it's no surprise that combining these two iconic dishes would result in something truly extraordinary.

The beauty of taco pizza lies in its versatility. It's a canvas waiting to be adorned with all your favorite taco toppings — think seasoned ground beef, crunchy lettuce, ripe tomatoes, tangy sour cream, and zesty salsa — all nestled atop a bed of gooey cheese and savory taco sauce. Each bite offers a blend of textures and tastes, from the crispiness of the crust to the creaminess of the cheese to the bold flavors of the toppings.

My Approach:

The beauty of taco pizza lies in its flexibility, allowing you to tailor the preparation to fit your schedule. Whether you're planning a leisurely cooking session or need to whip up dinner in a hurry, there's a method that works for you. Here's how I typically tackle the process:

Time-Saving Tip: Depending on your schedule, you can prepare each component ahead of time, making assembly a breeze when you're ready to indulge.

1. Start with the Dough: Begin by preparing the pizza dough. While it rises, you'll have plenty of time to tackle the other components of your taco pizza masterpiece.

2. Craft the Taco/Pizza Sauce: While the dough is doing its thing, I like to get started on the taco/pizza sauce. This zesty sauce sets the flavor foundation for your taco pizza and can be prepared in advance for convenience.

3. Prepare the Meat and Toppings: Once the sauce is simmering away, it's time to focus on the taco meat and toppings. Brown the meat to perfection, chop up fresh veggies, shred cheese—whatever toppings you fancy, get them prepped and ready to go.

By the time your dough has risen and your sauce is bubbling, everything else will be prepped and waiting. Simply assemble your taco pizza, pop it in the oven, and get ready to enjoy a slice of savory bliss.

Let's get to the recipes!

Homemade Pizza Dough

With this simple Pizza Dough Recipe, making homemade pizza has never been easier. Minimal ingredients, easy-to-follow steps, and a guarantee of deliciousness every time. This recipe yields enough dough for 2 medium-sized pizzas, perfect for feeding your family or hosting a pizza night with friends.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups bread flour (plus or minus 1/2 cup, depending on heat and humidity)

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, preferably that of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, stir the yeast and honey into warm water. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes, or until bubbles form and the mixture starts to foam. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to go.
2. Add Ingredients: Pour in the salt, olive oil, and half of the flour. Mix until the flour is incorporated. Gradually add more flour, bit by bit, until you achieve the desired consistency for your pizza dough. It should be slightly tacky but not stick to your hands when touched.
3. Knead the Dough: Once you reach the desired consistency, knead the dough on low speed for 6 minutes. The dough should become smooth and easy to work with, and the bowl should be mostly clean.
4. Optional Freezing Step: At this point, if you'd like to freeze your dough for future use, divide it into portions, place them into freezer bags, and seal, removing all air. Freeze the dough until needed. To use, simply remove from the freezer and allow it to sit at room temperature until doubled in size, usually 6-8 hours.
5. Let the Dough Rise: Lightly grease the bowl and the dough to prevent it from drying out. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Ready to Use: Once the dough has risen, it's ready to be used for your favorite pizza recipe. Roll it out, add your favorite toppings, and bake to perfection. Enjoy the deliciousness of homemade pizza right from your own oven!

Homemade Taco Sauce

Why settle for store-bought when you can whip up a batch of flavorful taco sauce right in your own kitchen? This easy-to-make recipe rivals any brand you'll find at the grocery store, and the best part? It's a fraction of the cost. With just a few simple ingredients, you can elevate your taco game and add a burst of zesty flavor to your favorite dishes. Plus, this recipe makes enough for two taco pizzas, with some to spare for taco nights!

Ingredients:

• 1 (16-ounce) can of tomato sauce
• 2/3 cup of water
• 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Gather Your Ingredients: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients ready to go.
2. Mix It Up: In a saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, water, white vinegar, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, garlic salt, chili powder, paprika, sugar, and cayenne pepper. Give everything a good stir to ensure all the flavors are well incorporated.
3. Simmer Away: Place the saucepan over low heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has slightly thickened and the flavors have melded together beautifully.
4. Cool and Store: Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly before serving. If you're not using it right away, transfer the sauce to a clean mason jar for storage. It'll keep in the fridge for several weeks, ready to add a punch of flavor to your tacos, taco pizzas, and more.

Taco Pizza

Ingredients:

• Homemade Pizza Dough, divided into 2 portions
• Homemade Taco Sauce
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 Jalapeno pepper
• 1-2 Tablespoons FreshJax Taco Seasoning (or your favorite brand or homemade)
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (reserve a small handful for topping after baking)
• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
• Finely sliced romaine or iceberg lettuce
• Optional toppings for after baking: sliced black olives, sour cream, more taco sauce, crushed Doritos, chopped cilantro, chopped green onion

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Prepare Dough: Stretch out the pizza dough and let it sit while preparing the meat.
3. Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat. Add diced onion and jalapeno pepper. Drain excess grease. Add Taco Seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. Let cook until the seasoning and water are absorbed.
4. Assemble Pizza: Spread taco sauce over the pizza dough. Layer the cooked taco beef mixture over the sauce. Sprinkle both mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top.
5. Bake: Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
6. Add Toppings: Once the pizza is baked, remove it from the oven. Layer on fresh toppings such as diced tomatoes, sliced lettuce, reserved cheddar cheese, sour cream (if using), additional taco sauce, and any optional ingredients of your choice.
7. Serve: Slice the taco pizza and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious creation!

Notes:

• FreshJax is recommended for its quality organic spices and seasonings. Feel free to use your favorite brand or homemade taco seasoning blend.
• For more information about FreshJax products, check out the link on my Instagram page provided in my info/bio section.

See you next month!

Justin Segelstrom is a chef who lives in Bismarck and has a website called My Complete Cooking.

Follow him on Instagram at @mycompletecooking and on Facebook at My Complete Cooking

His posts appear on the last Friday of each month at On Your Table.

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