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I threw together these Pizza-Style Taco Creations during a night when I couldn't pick between Italian or Mexican food. They've now become our Thursday night staple. Something truly special happens when you combine that cheesy shell with pizza flavors inside. My little ones actually jump up and down when these show up for dinner.
Top Family Pick
The best thing about these tacos is how they mix two meals we can't get enough of. Those cheese-flavored shells really kick everything up a notch. Every mouthful gives you that perfect meat and cheese combo that anyone who loves pizza wants. They're also super quick to make when you've got a packed evening ahead.
What You'll Need
- Ground Beef: ½ pound; browned and broken up as your main protein.
- Italian Sausage: ½ pound; brings rich, zesty flavor.
- Pepperoni: ½ cup, chopped small; gives that true pizza feeling.
- Pizza Sauce: 1 cup; grab from the store or whip up your own to mix with meat.
- Cheese Taco Shells: 8 Old El Paso™ Bold Nacho Cheese Stand 'N Stuff™ Taco Shells; for extra cheese punch.
- Mozzarella Cheese: 1 cup, shredded; creates that stretchy, yummy topping.
- Green Onions: 2 tbsp, chopped; adds color and fresh taste.
Let's Make Some Tacos
- Get Your Meat Going
- Cook your beef and sausage until there's no pink left. Don't forget to pour off the extra grease.
- Mix In Pizza Elements
- Toss in the chopped pepperoni and pizza sauce. Let everything bubble together to blend the flavors.
- Prep Those Shells
- Heat up your cheese-flavored shells for the best taste and texture.
- Stack Everything Up
- Scoop meat mix into each warm shell, then pile on the mozzarella and sprinkle with green onions.
- Time to Eat
- Grab them while they're hot with all that gooey cheese. We like dunking ours in extra sauce on the side.
Make Them Your Own
We sometimes use ground turkey for a lighter version. If crunchy shells aren't your thing, soft tortillas work just as well. The kids go crazy adding their own toppings, so I always keep sliced mushrooms and black olives ready for their custom creations.
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Plan Ahead
You can make the meat mixture days before and keep it in the fridge, which makes dinner super fast. When you've got some filled tacos left over, warming them in the oven works better than the microwave to keep that nice crunch.
Recipe FAQs
- → What if I want to switch up the meats?
- Sure, swap in cooked bacon, ham, chicken, or your other go-to pizza toppings.
- → What can I use instead of nacho cheese shells?
- Try plain hard shells or crisp up soft flour tortillas. Pick what you like!
- → Can I include extra toppings?
- Go ahead and toss in things like onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms. Cook them with the meats till tender.
- → How do I stop the shells from turning soggy?
- Heat the shells before you fill them, and stick to a thick pizza sauce.
- → Can I prep the meat mix beforehand?
- Yep! Make the spicy meat mix early and warm it up later. Build the tacos right before eating.