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Mexican Meat-zza: Mexican Deep-Dish Pan Pizza

This recipe creates a quick and easy Mexican-inspired deep-dish pizza using a corn muffin mix crust baked in a skillet. It's topped with seasoned ground beef, cheese, and fresh vegetables, then finished in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • 1 Large Oven-Safe Skillet 10-12 inch
  • 1 Second Skillet For browning meat
  • 2 Mixing Bowls One for batter, one for toppings if prepping ahead
  • 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For mixing batter and browning meat

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 2 boxes corn muffin mix 8 1/2 ounces each (recommended: Jiffy)
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • Extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil, for drizzling
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin or vegetable oil 2 turns of the pan
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne sauce
  • Salt
  • 2 1/2 cups 10-ounce sack from dairy aisle shredded Cheddar or jack cheese
  • 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 small can 2 1/4 ounces sliced chillies or jalapenos, drained
  • 2 scallions chopped
  • 2 small vine ripe tomatoes seeded and diced
  • 2 tablespoons drained sliced green olives salad olives
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves optional garnish
  • Mild to medium taco sauce to pass at table 1 cup

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Mix together 2 packages muffin mix with 2 eggs, 4 tablespoons melted butter (melt in microwave 30 seconds), 1 1/2 cups milk and frozen corn kernels. Wipe a nonstick skillet with a little extra or vegetable oil and pour in the muffin mix. Use a large skillet, 10 to 12 inch. Choose a pan with oven safe handle or, double-wrap handle with foil to protect it in the oven. Place pan in oven and bake 12 to 15 minutes in center of the oven until light golden in color.
  • Brown the meat over medium high heat in a second skillet in extra or vegetable oil, 2 turns of the pan. Add onions and spices and cook meat 5 minutes more.
  • Remove cornbread from oven and top with meat, cheese, and veggies. Add pan back to oven and cook 5 minutes more to melt cheese. Garnish with cilantro, optional. Cut into 8 wedges and serve the deep dish pan pizza from the skillet. Pass taco sauce at the table to sprinkle on top.

Notes

1. Ensure your large skillet is truly oven-safe, or wrap the handle thoroughly with foil to prevent melting or damage in the hot oven. 2. Don't overmix the corn muffin batter; mix until just combined for a tender base. 3. Properly brown the ground beef and drain any excess fat before adding the seasonings and onions to avoid a greasy topping. 4. Layer the toppings evenly over the cornbread for consistent flavor and melting. 5. Serving directly from the skillet keeps it warm and adds a rustic touch.