Spicy Marinara Taco Pizza on Spelt Dough Recipe

This is my favorite taco pizza made on a spelt pizza crust with a spicy marinara sauce. The crust uses spelt flour, one of my preferred clean flours for baking because it gives a pleasant, slightly nutty flavor and a nice texture.

Taco pizza might feel different from the usual pizza you eat, yet it still hits the familiar pizza notes everyone loves. I first encountered taco pizza about 20 years ago when a coworker’s wife recommended ordering it from Pizza Hut. It wasn’t on the menu, but that location would make it on request and it was outstanding. I still think it should be a regular menu item.

I make this taco pizza at home often. I avoid most pork products like sausage, pepperoni, and ham, and I prefer alternatives that feel a bit healthier. Ground beef seasoned well provides great flavor and satisfies the craving for a hearty topping without relying on processed cured meats.

The real standout of this homemade taco pizza is the flavor. While it’s an Americanized take on Hispanic flavors, every bite delivers a mix of spices and textures. It’s an easy way to combine two family favorites—pizza and tacos—into one crowd-pleasing meal.

For kids and adults alike, taco pizza is usually a hit. If you like variety, this is a simple way to change up your regular pizza rotation. You can also customize it easily: add shredded lettuce on top after baking, drizzle a dressing such as ranch or tomatillo ranch, or finish with fresh salsa. The final look doesn’t need to be perfect as long as the taste is right. Whatever toppings you choose, I recommend using this spelt dough recipe for a lighter, wholesome crust.

Have you tried taco pizza before? Feel free to share your experience or favorite toppings in the comments.

Recipe

Taco Pizza — Spelt Crust with Spicy Marinara

5 Stars




5 from 1 review

• Author: Rebecca Baron
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8
• Category: Main Course
• Cuisine: Clean Eating

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Description

I love this clean-eating taco pizza made with spelt flour. It’s a healthier alternative to processed pepperoni pizzas, and my kids enjoy it too.

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Ingredients

Pizza Crust

• ¾ cup warm water
• 1 Tbsp instant yeast
• 2 Tbsp olive oil (or oil of your choice)
• 2 Tbsp no-sugar-added applesauce (or add 2 Tbsp more oil if you don’t have applesauce)
• 2 cups light spelt flour (you can substitute up to half with whole spelt flour)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

Toppings

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 Tbsp homemade or store-bought clean taco seasoning
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• ½ cup sliced olives
• 1½ cups Colby Jack cheese

Spicy Marinara

• 1 small jar classic marinara sauce or a can of crushed tomatoes
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 Tbsp chili powder

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Instructions

Pizza Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet until fully cooked.
2. Drain any excess grease and stir in the taco seasoning.
3. Prepare the crust according to the crust instructions below.
4. Make the spicy marinara: combine the marinara (or crushed tomatoes), red pepper flakes, and chili powder in a saucepan and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
5. Spread the marinara over the prepared crust.
6. Top with the seasoned ground beef.
7. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the beef.
8. Add diced tomatoes and sliced olives.
9. Bake at 400°F (about 200°C) for roughly 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Crust Instructions

1. Combine warm water and yeast and let sit until the yeast becomes foamy (about 5 minutes).
2. Add the oil, applesauce, spelt flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Knead the dough until it comes together and is smooth.
4. Roll the dough into a circle with a rolling pin and transfer it to a pizza pan.

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