El Paso Pizza

This El Paso Pizza recipe brings the flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine to your dinner table. Made with a homemade cornmeal crust, spicy taco sauce, seasoned ground beef, and a combination of cheeses, this pizza is a guaranteed favorite. Top it off with your favorite taco toppings like tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and olives for an extra burst of flavor. This pizza is perfect for a fun family dinner or a game day treat.

Ingredients

• For the crust:
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• For the taco sauce:
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• For the topping:
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Taco toppings of your choice (diced tomatoes, diced onions, sliced jalapenos, sliced olives, etc.)

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, salt, and sugar for the crust.
2. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
3. Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
5. While the dough is rising, prepare the taco sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. In a separate skillet, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess grease and then add the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until the beef is well-coated with the spices.
7. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
8. Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a greased pizza pan. Press the dough evenly to cover the entire pan.
9. Spread a generous amount of the taco sauce over the crust, leaving a small border around the edges. Top with the seasoned ground beef.
10. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the pizza.
11. Add your desired taco toppings, such as diced tomatoes, diced onions, sliced jalapenos, and sliced olives.
12. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
14. Enjoy your homemade El Paso Pizza!

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