Next, I unroll the pizza dough on a floured surface, using a pizza cutter to slice it into squares, about 3×3 inches each. I scoop a generous amount of that cheesy beef mixture into the center of each square. With a touch of finesse, I fold the corners of the dough over the filling, pinching to seal them tightly. It can get a bit messy, but that’s half the fun! Once all the bombs are ready, I place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and give them a quick spray of cooking oil to ensure they crisp up beautifully.
Now they go into the oven for about 20 minutes or until they’re golden brown. While they bake, I warm up the queso sauce in a small saucepan and get my toppings ready. When the timer goes off, and I pull those pizza bombs out, the aroma fills my kitchen like a taco stand on a vibrant Saturday afternoon. I let them cool for just a minute, then drizzle the warm queso on top, finishing with diced tomatoes and fresh green onions. The moment I take my first bite, I can’t help but smile!
Pro Tips for Best Results
I tested the taco pizza bombs three ways: baking with and without parchment paper and adjusting the oven temperature. Honestly, lining your baking sheet with parchment paper made all the difference in getting a nice, crisp bottom while keeping the cleanup easy-peasy. I also found that slightly cooling the cheese mixture before wrapping it in the dough helps the bombs hold together better without the dough getting too stretchy and pliable.
Another tip is to make sure you seal the dough well. I once had a couple of bombs leak cheese during baking because I didn’t pinch the seams tightly enough. Trust me; it’s worth the extra effort! Lastly, don’t skip the queso drizzle; it adds a creamy and exciting contrast that takes the flavor up a notch and makes them super indulgent.
If you want to prep ahead of time, you can assemble the pizza bombs a few hours in advance. Just keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them. I promise you, they will be the star of the show!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake I made the first time was not preheating the oven long enough. When you throw those delicious bombs in a cold oven, they don’t puff up like they should. Instead, make sure your oven is fully preheated before you pop them in. This gets them fabulously golden and delicious on the outside while ensuring the filling is perfectly melted inside. (See the next page below to continue…)