Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos Recipe

Pizza tacos are the perfect mashup for those who love both pizza and tacos. This Meat Lovers Pizza Taco takes the indulgent flavors of a meat lover’s pizza and transforms them into handheld taco-sized delights. Using crispy taco shells as the base, you’ll load them up with Italian sausage, pepperoni, ground beef, bacon, and cheese—just like your favorite pizza, but in taco form.

Preparation:

Step 1: Preparing the Meat Filling

1. Cook the Bacon:
   • Start by cooking the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry it until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
2. Cook the Ground Beef:
   • In the same skillet, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
3. Cook the Sausage:
   • In the same skillet, add the Italian sausage (remove the casing if necessary). Cook over medium heat until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Once done, break up the sausage into crumbles with your spatula.
4. Combine the Meat:
   • Add the cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, and crumbled bacon back into the skillet. Stir to combine. This will be your meat mixture for the tacos. Keep the skillet over low heat, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 2: Preparing the Taco Shells

1. Crisp the Taco Shells:
   • If using soft tortillas, heat a small amount of olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Lightly brush both sides of the tortillas with the olive oil, and then cook each tortilla for about 2 minutes per side until golden and slightly crispy. This will give them a texture similar to a pizza crust, adding both flavor and sturdiness.
   • If you’re using hard taco shells, skip this step and proceed to the next one.

Step 3: Preparing the Pizza Sauce

1. Make the Pizza Sauce:
   • In a small saucepan, add the pizza sauce and minced garlic. Heat over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the garlic to infuse the sauce. If desired, season the sauce with extra oregano, salt, and pepper.

Step 4: Assembling the Pizza Tacos

1. Add the Sauce to the Shells:
   • Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the prepared pizza sauce onto the base of each taco shell. Spread it out evenly using the back of the spoon.
2. Layer the Meat Mixture:
   • On top of the pizza sauce, evenly distribute the cooked meat mixture of ground beef, sausage, and bacon. Make sure the meat is spread out in a thin, even layer to cover the sauce completely.
3. Add Cheese:
   • Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese over the meat mixture. The cheese will melt as the tacos bake, turning into a gooey, delicious layer.

Step 5: Baking the Tacos

1. Bake the Tacos:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Place the filled taco shells onto a baking sheet. Bake the tacos in the oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the taco shells are crispy.

Step 6: Adding Toppings

1. Garnish:
   • Once the tacos are out of the oven, garnish with fresh basil, green onions, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Optionally, you can add some crushed red pepper flakes for heat.

Serving the Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos:

• Serve these delicious pizza tacos hot, straight from the oven, with your favorite side dishes such as a light salad, garlic bread, or even some fresh sliced tomatoes for a refreshing contrast.
• You can also serve them with dipping sauces like extra pizza sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic butter sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Tips and Variations:

Meat Variations:

• Chicken or Turkey: Swap out the beef and sausage for ground chicken or turkey to make the recipe leaner while still keeping the heartiness.
• Pepperoni: Add more pepperoni slices for an extra pizza-inspired touch. You can layer them directly onto the taco shell before baking for a crispy texture.
• Ham or Salami: For a variation, try adding ham or salami for an Italian deli twist.

Cheese Variations:

• Cheddar Cheese: Add a layer of sharp cheddar cheese for extra richness and a tangy flavor. Alternatively, try provolone or fontina for a different melt and flavor.
• More Cheese: For cheese lovers, you can also mix in cream cheese with the shredded mozzarella for an even creamier filling.

Taco Shell Options:

• Hard Taco Shells: If you prefer the crunch of traditional taco shells, go ahead and use hard shells. However, for a more pizza-like texture, soft flour tortillas work best.
• Corn Tortillas: For a more authentic taco experience, you can also use corn tortillas, which will offer a different flavor and texture.

Sauce Variations:

• Spicy Sauce: If you like heat, mix some crushed red pepper flakes or a small amount of hot sauce into your pizza sauce.
• Pesto Sauce: For a unique twist, try using pesto as your base sauce for a burst of herby flavor.

Vegetarian Version:

• Vegetable Tacos: Skip the meat entirely and use mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and spinach for a vegetarian pizza taco filling.
• Vegan Cheese: Use vegan cheese options if you’re looking to make a vegan version of this recipe.

Pairing Suggestions:

• Side Salad: Serve your pizza tacos with a fresh, tangy green salad with a vinaigrette dressing to balance the richness of the tacos.
• Garlic Bread: Classic garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks are always a great side for pizza-inspired dishes.
• Drinks: Pair the tacos with a cold beer, soda, or iced tea for a refreshing contrast to the savory flavors.

Conclusion:

Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos are the ultimate fusion dish, bringing together two beloved comfort foods—pizza and tacos—into a single, tasty meal. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, cooking for a family dinner, or just indulging in a fun, creative dinner idea, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. With its savory combination of meats, cheese, and pizza-inspired flavors, this dish will satisfy every craving!

Yield: 8

Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos Recipe

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Pizza tacos are the perfect mashup for those who love both pizza and tacos. This Meat Lovers Pizza Taco takes the indulgent flavors of a meat lover's pizza and transforms them into handheld taco-sized delights. Using crispy taco shells as the base, you'll load them up with Italian sausage, pepperoni, ground beef, bacon, and cheese—just like your favorite pizza, but in taco form.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Taco Shells:
• 8 small flour tortillas (or taco-sized soft shells)
• 1/4 cup olive oil (for brushing)
• For the Meat Filling:
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb Italian sausage (removed from casing)
• 1/2 lb pepperoni slices, chopped
• 1/2 lb cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
• Toppings:
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Taco Shells:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   Brush both sides of the tortillas lightly with olive oil.
   Place the tortillas into a muffin tin or taco shell mold to form a "shell" shape.
   Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden and crispy.
   
2. Cook the Meat Filling:
   In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
   Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened (about 5 minutes).
   Stir in the chopped pepperoni and crumbled bacon, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
   Add tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
   Pour in the pizza sauce and mix everything together. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
   
3. Assemble the Tacos:
   Once the taco shells are baked and the meat filling is ready, spoon the meat mixture into each taco shell.
   Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top of the meat mixture.
   Return the tacos to the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
   
4. Finish and Serve:
   Remove from the oven and sprinkle with grated Parmesan, sliced black olives, and fresh basil leaves (if using).
   Optionally, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra spice.
   Serve hot and enjoy your Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos!

Notes

Substitute Ingredients: Feel free to swap out the types of meat for others, such as ground turkey or chicken sausage. You can also adjust the type of cheese based on your preference (cheddar or provolone).

Taco Shells: You can use soft corn tortillas or hard taco shells instead of flour tortillas if desired.

Make Ahead: You can prep the meat mixture a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just heat it up before assembling the tacos.