Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. She earned her Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Tennessee and has a research background in maternal and child health nutrition and public health, as well as a Certificate of Training in Obesity Interventions from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family.
Copycat Healthier Mexican Pizza
1 min read
Serving Amount
Ingredients
8 ounce of lean ground beef, chicken or turkey
1⁄4 cup tomato sauce
Taco seasoning:
11⁄2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp chili powder
1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
1⁄2 tsp onion powder
1⁄2 tsp ground paprika
1⁄2 tsp dried oregano
1⁄4 cup tomato sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
8 soft street-style flour tortillas
Spray oil
1⁄2 cup refried beans, canned
1⁄4 cup taco sauce
1⁄4 cup shredded cheese, such as a 4-cheese Mexican blend
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
Optional – 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
Optional – ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat, breaking it up with with a cooking utensil such as a wooden spoon while cooking. Cook the meat until browned and fully cooked.
Step 3
Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Return to the skillet and reduce the heat to low.
Step 4
In a small bowl, make taco seasoning by mixing together the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and salt and pepper.
Step 5
Add tomato sauce and taco seasoning to the skillet. Stir together until the meat is coated in the sauce and the seasoning.
Step 6
Allow mixture to simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 7
Once the oven has preheated, prepare a lined sheet pan. Add flour tortillas and spray with spray oil on each side.
Step 8
Allow tortillas to bake for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from oven once crispy. Be careful not to let them burn (individual ovens vary).
Step 9
Prepare Mexican pizza by spreading 2 tablespoons of refried beans onto a crispy tortilla. Add 2 ounces of seasoned ground beef followed by the second crispy tortilla. Top with 1 tablespoon taco sauce and 1 tablespoon shredded cheese. Return pizza to the oven until cheese is melted. Top pizza with diced tomatoes and cilantro. Serve with shredded lettuce if desired.
