Cheesy Pepperoni Taco Bake

This Cheesy Pepperoni Taco Bake is the ultimate mash-up of two comfort-food favorites: tacos and pizza! Seasoned ground beef, zesty taco sauce, crispy pepperoni, tortillas, and plenty of melted cheese are layered together and baked until bubbly and golden. It’s an easy, family-friendly dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or whenever you’re craving something extra cheesy.

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• ½ cup water
• 1 cup pizza sauce or thick salsa
• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sliced pepperoni
• ½ cup diced onion
• ½ cup diced bell pepper
• ½ cup sliced black olives, optional
• ½ cup corn, optional
• 2 tbsp chopped green onions
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the beef: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook until softened. Drain any excess grease.
3. Season: Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 3–5 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
4. Build the bake: Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce or salsa over the bottom of the baking dish. Add a layer of tortillas, cutting them as needed to cover the dish.
5. Add the filling: Spread some seasoned beef over the tortillas, followed by mozzarella, cheddar, pepperoni, and optional olives or corn.
6. Repeat: Continue layering tortillas, sauce, beef, cheese, and pepperoni until the ingredients are used. Finish with a generous layer of cheese and pepperoni on top.
7. Season the top: Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
8. Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
9. Rest: Let the taco bake rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with green onions.

🌶️ Topping Ideas

Make each serving even better with:

• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Diced tomatoes
• Fresh cilantro
• Jalapeños
• Avocado
• Salsa
• Pickled onions
• Crushed tortilla chips

💡 Pro Tips

• Use thick salsa rather than watery salsa to prevent the bake from becoming soggy.
• Don’t skip the resting time—it helps the layers hold together when sliced.
• For extra pizza flavor, add sliced mushrooms or cooked Italian sausage.
• For a spicy version, use hot taco seasoning and jalapeño pepperoni.
• You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.

🍽️ Serving Suggestion

Serve this hearty bake with a simple Mexican-style salad, cilantro-lime rice, refried beans, or crunchy tortilla chips. It’s especially fun for family dinner because everyone can add their favorite toppings.