French Bread Taco Pizza takes a loaf of French bread, loads it up with taco-seasoned meat, lots of cheese, and finishes it off with your favorite taco toppings.
author’s note
Taco Tuesday Meets Pizza Night!
My mom used to make French Bread Pizza all the time when I was growing up, and I still love it so much that I’ve created a few versions of my own, like Margherita French Bread Pizza and Sloppy Joe Pizza. They’re ridiculously easy to make and such a fun twist on regular pizza night.
Today’s version is piled high with taco-seasoned ground beef, plenty of melted cheese, and all the best toppings.
French Bread Taco Pizza Ingredients
- French bread: The fresher, the better!
- Pre-diced onions: Most grocery stores sell diced yellow onions in the produce section. Frozen diced onions also work, or quickly chop a fresh onion in a food processor.
- Garlic: Dorot® cubes are handy crushed garlic cubes found in the freezer aisle. Refrigerated minced garlic also works.
- Lean ground beef: A 93/7 blend works well. Ground turkey is another great option.
- Taco seasoning: Packets vary in spice and flavor. Cheaper packets often lack flavor.
- Tomato sauce: Adds moisture and a nice tomato flavor to the meat.
- Cheese: Sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack make a great combo.
Quick Tip
If you’d prefer to make your own taco seasoning blend instead of using a store-bought mix, here’s my go-to taco seasoning blend (this mix perfectly replaces the store-bought mix in this French Bread Taco Pizza recipe):
- 1 tablespoon ground chili powder (McCormick® for mild chili powder)
- 1 teaspoon EACH: ground cumin, paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH: onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, fine sea salt, and pepper
The secret to avoiding soggy French Bread Pizza
The “secret” to not having soggy French bread pizza? Bake it twice.
Start by brushing all of the pieces of French bread with olive oil and then bake just the bread. This dries out and toasts the bread nicely–and that will keep it from getting soggy after the saucy taco meat is added on top.
You’ll be amazed at the difference this makes to the texture and overall flavor of this French Bread Taco Pizza!
Tips
- Make sure to purchase the freshest ground beef possible. (Look at the furthest expiration date when purchasing.)
- To avoid steaming (we want to brown the meat!), use a cast-iron pan, and wait for it to be HOT until you add in the meat.
- In order to brown (and become more flavorful), the beef has to maintain contact with the pan for a little while. Remember that as you break the meat into smaller pieces; the moisture evaporates, which can cause the meat to steam instead of brown. Avoid this by giving the meat a few minutes to cook and develop a brown color before breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
- Enjoy right out of the oven. This French Bread Taco Pizza is best right after being baked — the bread is nice and crisp and the cheese is gooey and melty.
- Line the pan with parchment paper. To avoid too-crisp pizzas, line the pan before baking with either a Silpat liner or parchment paper.
After the French Bread Pizzas are done baking, it’s all about the toppings! Below are some of our favorite toppings, but get creative with what you typically pair with taco meat.
French Bread Taco Pizza Toppings
This French Bread Taco Pizza really benefits from some creamy additions. We think a ripe avocado or guacamole and sour cream are the “must have” additions!
- Chopped cherry tomatoes, salsa, or pico de gallo
- Black beans or pinto beans
- Freshly chopped cilantro
- Fresh lime wedges
- Avocado or guacamole
- Taco sauce or hot sauce
- Creamy cilantro sauce (like the sauce in this Honey Lime Chicken recipe)
- Sour cream (fat-free or low-fat works great!)
Storage
This French Bread Taco Pizza is best enjoyed the same day it is made. After that, the taco meat will soften the bread.
More Plays On Pizza:
French Bread Taco Pizza
Video
Equipment
- Large sheet pan (15" x 21")
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion optional
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 pound lean ground beef 93/7, or ground turkey
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese see note 1
- Toppings as desired see note 2
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Slice the bread in half widthwise. Then cut both pieces in half lengthwise to have 4 total pieces. Gently compress each piece in the center, making a cavity for the meat. Brush 3 tablespoons olive oil evenly over all sides of each of the French bread pieces. Place the pieces cut side up on a large greased sheet pan. Bake for 5 minutes and remove.
- Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 4–6 minutes. Add garlic; stir for 30 seconds. Add beef and cook, crumbling into small pieces as you cook. Cook until browned through. Drain off any grease (if needed), then add in the taco seasoning mix and tomato sauce. Cook for 2–3 more minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Gently press in the centers of the bread once more, making a cavity to hold the beef. Divide the beef mixture evenly among each piece of French bread. Divide cheese evenly on top of each piece.
- Return to the oven and bake (uncovered) 8–13 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bread is lightly browned at the edges. Remove from oven and add toppings of choice. Thinly slice into pieces and enjoy immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This has become a staple on weeknights for us. We love the flavor and how quick it comes together.
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Courtney! 🙂
As your Dad I love this dish. It is a family favorite. So easy to make too.
So glad to hear that! 🙂