Taco Pizza

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. I buy premade pie crust for this recipe, but feel free to prepare from scratch if you like. Just make sure to use a deep dish pie pan. Put pie crust into preheated oven and cook 7 to 10 minutes until almost but not quite done. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly while preparing the filling.

Brown ground beef and drain well. (We love beef in our tacos but I’m sure you could also use other types of ground meat). Add taco seasoning mix and water, and cook according to package directions. (I buy bulk taco seasoning mix. If using bulk mix, prepare according to the 2 cup directions.)

Using your favorite spatula, spread refried beans carefully into the bottom of the partially cooked pie crust. Layer 1 cup of cheese. Layer the ground beef mixture. You should now have a nicely rounded mound in your pie pan. Press down on the mound firmly. Carefully top with remaining 1 cup of cheese.

Note on cheese: I usually use sharp cheddar but this is one of those recipes where I will use up whatever cheeses I may have hanging out in the fridge. Also, I have been known to add extra cheese. Okay, I always add extra cheese.

Return to oven and allow to cook for another 15 to 20 minutes. Basically, you are just finishing the crust, heating up the beans, and melting the cheese. Remove from oven and cool. (If you allow it to cool slightly, it will cut more nicely, but we just usually dig in.)

This is good served with some chopped lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, hot sauce, or whatever strikes your fancy. It’s a good “clean out the fridge” dish, that’s just as good plain, too.

I usually serve some sweet corn (C&W frozen are my favorite) on the side. The sweetness of the corn with the creaminess of the taco pizza go well together.