Mexican Pizzas are a quick go-to dinner for me. I end up making these on nights when we have lots going on…meetings at school, hockey practice, swimming lessons, etc. I can get these ready in a matter of 30 minutes or less (not counting the rice, you can make this earlier and reheat). I usually prefer to use ground turkey for the meat, but occasionally will use ground beef if the ground turkey isn’t on sale. The rice is based on a recipe that my Mom used to make when I was a child. I have modified it a bit for us b/c my stomach can’t tolerate onions.

Mexican Rice

1 cup brown basmati or jasmine rice
2-3 tsp EVOO
3 cloves garlic
1/2 onion (I omit this b/c I can’t eat them)
1 large tomato
chicken broth
cumin
chili powder
red hot
salt
pepper

1. Drop tomato into boiling water for 60 seconds. Remove tomato from water and then remove the skin. Careful not to burn yourself as I have done too many times when I am in a hurry. 😉
2. Chop tomato, peel garlic, chop onion and place all ingredients in a food processor/blender. Puree until everything is liquid. Add cumin (about 1 tsp), chili powder (1/2 – 1 tsp), red hot (I like a lot, but use your own judgement), S & P. Blend.
3. Place EVOO and rice in a 2 qt. sauce pan and warm over med to med-high heat. Brown rice, but don’t burn it.
4. Dump tomato mixture into a glass measuring cup and then add chicken broth to equal 2 cups of liquid. Dump your 2 cups of liquid into the rice; stir and bring to a boil.
5. Stir and reduce heat to simmer for 40-50 minutes, depending on what kind of rice you are using.
6. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork & serve.

You can either now serve this or put away in the fridge and then reheat for dinner.

Mexican Pizzas

1 lb. ground beef or turkey
Packet of Taco Seasoning (I use the bulk Ortega)
1-2 cans of refried beans (I used La Preferida)
Tostada shells (I use Ortega)
Cheddar Cheese
Lettuce
Tomato
Taco Sauce
Salsa
Sour Cream
Any other toppings you would like

1. Brown ground meat in a pan. Add taco seasoning.
2. Preheat oven to 350.
3. Warm beans in a pan on the stove or in micro.
4. Heat tostadas on a cookie sheet in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until hot.
5. Top shells with beans, meat & cheese.
6. Return to oven until cheese is all melted and bubbly.
7. Top with favorite toppings and serve!

Here are some pictures of our meal. Jon likes to drown his in taco sauce (Ortega Mild). I prefer to top mine with lettuce & tomato and Frank’s Red Hot). **Seems Jon added some extra beans to his plate as well. 😉

This is one of the kids favorite meals and is super easy to make.