Happy Joe’s Taco Pizza Recipe (Copycat)
A fun fusion of pizza and tacos with a crispy crust, refried beans, seasoned beef, melted cheese, and fresh crunchy toppings added after baking. This hot-and-cold, cheesy-and-fresh combo recreates the famous restaurant favorite at home.
Ingredients
- Pizza Dough
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast 1 packet
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Taco Meat Layer
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water
- Bean Layer
- 1 cup refried beans
- Cheese Layer
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- Fresh Toppings after baking
- 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ½ cup crushed tortilla chips
- Sour cream for drizzling
- Taco sauce or mild salsa
Instructions
- Mix flour, salt, sugar, and yeast; add warm water and oil. Knead 5 minutes; rest 10 minutes.
- Cook ground beef until browned; drain. Add taco seasoning and water; simmer 3–4 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll dough into a 12–14 inch circle; place on a greased pan.
- Spread refried beans thinly over the dough.
- Evenly layer taco meat over beans.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar on top.
- Bake 12–15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Cool 2 minutes, then top with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and crushed chips.
- Drizzle sour cream and taco sauce. Slice and serve.
Notes
Add fresh toppings after baking to keep them crisp.
Spread beans thinly to prevent a soggy crust.
Use iceberg lettuce for the best crunch.
Don’t skip tortilla chips—they add signature texture.
Store leftovers without fresh toppings; reheat base and add toppings fresh.
Store-bought dough works well if short on time.