CORNBREAD TACO SKILLET PIZZA
Cornbread Taco Skillet Pizza is a fun and hearty twist on taco night. A golden cornbread crust is topped with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, salsa, and plenty of cheese, then finished with your favorite taco toppings.
I originally created this recipe as an entry for the National Cornbread Contest. While it didn’t get selected, I later shared it with Taste of Home where it was published—so I knew it was a keeper! It has since become one of those recipes our family always enjoys.
If your family loves tacos as much as ours does, this is a delicious way to change things up. It’s like a deep-dish taco pizza baked right in a skillet and served warm straight from the pan.
My husband and I have eaten taco pizza many times at our local Pizza Hut. We have not been able to find this any other place, and the last time we ordered it there, they said it was being removed from the menu.
If you enjoy taco-inspired meals, be sure to check out my
Taco Pizza Supreme and Tacos in a Bag recipes for more easy favorites.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A fun twist on classic taco night
- Baked in one skillet for easy cleanup
- Hearty enough for dinner or sharing
- Customizable with your favorite toppings
- Perfect for family meals or casual gatherings
How To Make Cornbread Taco Skillet
Ingredients
(Full measurements in recipe card below)
For the Cornbread Crust:
- Cornbread mix (plus ingredients listed on package)
For the Taco Layer:
- Ground beef
- Taco seasoning
- Refried beans
- Salsa
Toppings:
- Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Sour cream
- Lettuce, shredded
- Tomatoes, diced
- Green onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven according to cornbread mix directions. Spray cast iron or oven-safe skillet with no stick cooking spray.
- Prepare cornbread batter and spread evenly in the skillet.
- Bake for about 10–12 minutes, just until the cornbread is set but not fully done.
- While the crust is baking, cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions.
- Remove the partially baked cornbread from the oven.
- Spread refried beans evenly over the crust.
- Add the seasoned taco meat layer.
- Spoon salsa over the top.
- Sprinkle generously with shredded cheese.
- Return to oven and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, until cheese is melted and cornbread is fully cooked.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Top with crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and green onions.
- Serve warm straight from the skillet.
Tips and Variations
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef
- Add black beans or corn for extra texture
- Spice it up with jalapeños or hot salsa
- Serve toppings on the side so everyone can customize
- Use a homemade cornbread recipe if you prefer
Serving Ideas
Serve this Cornbread Taco Skillet Pizza with fresh fruit or Mexican rice or beans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the meat mixture ahead, but it’s best baked fresh for the best texture.
What kind of skillet should I use?
A cast iron skillet works best, but any oven-safe skillet or baking dish will work.
How do I store leftovers?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
How do I reheat?
Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
This post was shared on Sweet Little Bluebird Weekend Potluck.
CORNBREAD TACO SKILLET PIZZA
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef 90% lean
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1/3 cup salsa
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 package 6 ounces Mexican-style cornbread/muffin mix
- 1/3 cup tortilla chips crushed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- TOPPINGS:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1/4 cup onions chopped
- 1 roma tomato chopped or 4 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup colored tortilla strips or corn chips broken
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a 10-in. cast-iron, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain.
- Transfer to a small bowl. Stir in beans, salsa and taco seasoning; keep warm. Wipe skillet clean, and spray with no stick cooking spray.
- Prepare cornbread mix according to package directions; stir in crushed tortilla chips. Pour into skillet. Bake until set, 12-15 minutes.
- Spread ground beef mixture over cornbread to within 1 in. of edges; sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown, 3-5 minutes.
- Top with the variations of toppings your family likes.