Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos – The Best of Both Worlds!
Get ready for an epic flavor fusion that combines two universally loved foods into one incredibly delicious and fun dish: Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos! Imagine savory ground beef, crispy bacon, hearty sausage, and spicy pepperoni, all loaded into soft tortillas with tangy pizza sauce and a generous blanket of melty mozzarella cheese. It’s where taco night meets pizza party, creating a satisfying and unforgettable meal that’s perfect for family dinners, game day, or any time you want to bring some excitement to your plate!
Why You’ll Love These Pizza Tacos
Ultimate Flavor Fusion: Combines the best parts of a meat lovers pizza and a savory taco.
Irresistibly Cheesy & Meaty: Loaded with all your favorite pizza toppings for maximum satisfaction.
Fun & Interactive: A creative and delicious twist that’s great for customizing.
Quick & Easy: Comes together faster than ordering delivery, especially with pre-cooked elements.
Crowd-Pleaser: Guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults!
What You’ll Need
Gather these delicious ingredients to craft your amazing Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos:
Ingredients (Makes 8 tacos):
Meats & Filling:
1 lb ground beef (lean recommended)
½ cup diced pepperoni
½ cup cooked bacon bits or crumbled bacon (about 4-5 slices of bacon, cooked crispy)
½ cup cooked sausage crumbles (breakfast or Italian sausage, cooked and drained)
1 medium onion, diced (optional, for added flavor)
2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking ground beef)
For Assembly:
8 medium-sized flour tortillas (6-8 inch, soft taco size)
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
Optional toppings: Fresh basil leaves, extra red pepper flakes, ranch dressing or marinara for dipping.
Instructions: Cook, Sauce, Fill, and Bake!
1. Prepare the Meats:
If using raw bacon or sausage, cook them first. Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble and set aside. Cook sausage (if using ground sausage) until browned, breaking it up, then drain any excess grease and set aside.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the 1 lb ground beef and optional diced onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 7-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease thoroughly.
If using, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
2. Create the Pizza Filling:
To the skillet with the browned ground beef (and onion/garlic), stir in the ½ cup diced pepperoni, ½ cup cooked bacon bits/crumbled bacon, and ½ cup cooked sausage crumbles.
Add the 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried basil, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine all the meats and seasonings.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Remove from heat.
3. Prepare the Tortillas:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
Warm the 8 medium-sized flour tortillas to make them pliable. You can do this by:
Microwave: Wrap all 8 tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 45-60 seconds until warm and soft.
Skillet: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and warm each tortilla for 15-20 seconds per side.
4. Assemble the Pizza Tacos:
Lay one warm tortilla flat on your work surface.
Spoon a generous amount of the meat and pizza sauce filling (about ½ – ¾ cup) onto one half of the tortilla, leaving a small border around the edge.
Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese over the filling. If using, also add a pinch of grated Parmesan cheese.
Fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling to create a taco shape. Gently press down.
Place the assembled pizza taco on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
5. Bake to Melty Perfection:
Bake the Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos for 10-15 minutes, or until the tortillas are lightly golden and slightly crispy, and the cheese inside is fully melted and bubbly.
For extra melty cheese and a crispier tortilla, you can flip them halfway through or, for the last 2-3 minutes, switch to broil (watching very carefully to prevent burning!).
6. Serve and Enjoy!
Remove the Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos from the oven.
Serve immediately! These are fantastic on their own, or with optional toppings like fresh basil leaves, extra red pepper flakes, or a side of ranch dressing or warm marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy your best-of-both-worlds dinner!
Tips for the Best Pizza Tacos
Prep Ahead: Cook all your meats (bacon, sausage, ground beef) in advance to save time on assembly day. The meat filling can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the fridge.
Drain Grease Thoroughly: Especially important when combining multiple meats. Excess grease will make the tacos soggy.
Don’t Overstuff: While tempting, overstuffing can make the tacos hard to fold and cause filling to spill out. A generous amount that allows for a neat fold is perfect.
Warm Tortillas are Key: This step is crucial for soft, pliable tortillas that won’t crack when folded.
Cheese Quality: Good quality, low-moisture mozzarella will melt beautifully without making the tacos greasy.
Crispy Tortillas: Baking them uncovered helps them get a nice crisp. For extra crispness, lightly brush the outside of the tortillas with olive oil before baking.
Personalize It: Think of your favorite pizza toppings! Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or black olives to the meat mixture, or sprinkle them on top before the cheese.
Serving Suggestions: These are a complete meal on their own. A simple green salad or some extra marinara sauce for dipping would complement them well.
These Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos are a fun, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying way to enjoy your favorite pizza flavors in a taco-inspired format. Get ready for a new family favorite!