Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Quick on the Table - Easy Mexican Pizza



Easy Mexican Pizza
 
 
New Year's Day always makes me want to re-evaluate my life.  Get control, get organized, save money.  In order to do that I really need to stick with a menu plan and make a better effort at using the abundance of food that I already have in my pantry and freezer.
 
 
We had a nice little amount of snow around New Year's, enough that after my small (and pretty uneventful) surgery on Friday, that I didn't want to drive anywhere to get lunch.  But I didn't have anything ready that I could just grab or to make a sandwich with.  I was going to have to be a little creative. I decided that I was going to revamp my arsenal of cheap and quick things to eat in order to avoid unnecessary trips to the store or out for fast food.  This is first of many "Quick on the Table" ideas that I hope to be posting this year.
 
I've read on several blogs about quick tortilla pizzas but had never tried any.  I decided to turn on my oven and give it a whirl!  I found several things in my fridge that were perfect for an Easy Mexican Pizza, and I am happy to report that this would have fed children and adults well.. for supper, lunch, or a snack to share.  It was great!  I used what I had on hand, refried beans, taco sauce, some cheese, and lettuce and sour cream.  You could use whatever you have, such as cooked meats like taco meat, sloppy joe meat, leftover BBQ, or even make a more traditional pizza from the tortilla using marinara, and typical pizza toppings.
 
 
Here's how I made Easy Mexican Pizza AT HOME MY WAY:
 
Easy Mexican Pizza
 
  • Flour tortilla
  • Refried Beans (any drained canned beans would also work like kidney beans or black beans
  • Taco Sauce
  • Grated Cheese
  • Toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, black olives
 
Spray a pie pan or cookie sheet with cooking spray or lightly grease/butter.  Top with flour tortilla(s). Spread the tortilla(s) with refried beans or drained canned beans.  Top with salsa/taco sauce, and grated cheese.  Bake at 350 until cheese is melted - 5 minutes or so.  Remove from oven and top with cold toppings.
 
(If using marinara sauce, omit the beans and make like as for pizza, then bake.)
 
Cut the tortilla in wedges like for pizza.