Description
This recipe transforms the classic Spanish tortilla (potato and egg omelet) into a fun, flavorful, and easily customizable skillet pizza. Crispy potatoes and savory chorizo are layered with salsa, cheese, and jalapenos on a crunchy tortilla base, offering a quick and satisfying meal that’s perfect for weeknights or casual get-togethers.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon oil (olive oil or vegetable oil)
- 1/2 pound potatoes, diced or sliced (Yukon Gold or Russet work well)
- 1/2 pound fresh Mexican-style chorizo sausage, casing removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 10-inch tortillas (corn for gluten-free, flour for a softer base)
- 1 cup salsa* (see options below)
- 2 cups cheese such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella, shredded
- 1 jalapeno, sliced (optional, for heat)
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Preparation:
This recipe comes together quickly, making it ideal for a weeknight meal. The key is to have your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
Step 1: Potato Prep
- Wash and dice or slice your potatoes. Dicing will result in faster cooking and a more evenly distributed filling. Slicing can provide a nicer textural contrast if you prefer. If you opt for slices, ensure they’re thin enough to cook through quickly (about 1/4 inch).
Step 2: Chorizo Prep
- Remove the chorizo from its casing. Crumble the chorizo into a bowl and set aside. Be sure to use fresh Mexican-style chorizo, as it contains uncooked pork and spices, which will render a fantastic flavor into the pizza.
Step 3: Onion Prep
- Dice the onion. You want small, even pieces so they cook evenly alongside the potatoes and chorizo.
Step 4: Cheese and Jalapeno Prep
- Shred your cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly and often has a better flavor. Slice your jalapeno if you’re using it. Remember to use caution when handling jalapenos and avoid touching your eyes.
Step 5: Salsa and Cilantro Prep
- Measure out your salsa. Chop the cilantro (if using) and set it aside for garnish.
Instructions:
1. Cook the Potatoes and Chorizo:
- Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cast iron is ideal for even cooking and retaining heat, but any oven-safe skillet will work.
- Add the diced or sliced potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden brown on all sides. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. You want the potatoes to be tender-crisp.
- Add the chorizo and diced onion to the skillet with the potatoes. Cook, breaking up the chorizo with a spoon, until the chorizo is fully cooked and the onion is softened and translucent. This should take another 5-7 minutes. Make sure there are no traces of pink in the chorizo.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and set the chorizo and potato mixture aside in a bowl. Wipe out the skillet to remove any excess grease.
2. Assemble the Tortilla Pizzas:
- Preheat your broiler. Position a rack in the upper third of your oven.
- Place the skillet over low heat. Add 1 teaspoon of oil to the skillet and swirl to coat the bottom. This will help prevent the tortilla from sticking.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Place one tortilla in the skillet, ensuring it lies flat.
- Spread approximately 1/4 of the salsa evenly over the tortilla.
- Top with 1/4 of the chorizo and potato mixture.
- Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese.
- If using, add a few slices of jalapeno on top.
3. Broil the Pizza:
- Place the skillet under the broiler and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tortilla is slightly crispy. This usually takes about 2-4 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning! Broilers can vary in intensity, so keep a close eye on your pizza.
- Remove the skillet from the oven using oven mitts.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro (if using).
4. Repeat for Remaining Tortillas:
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the remaining tortillas, salsa, chorizo and potato mixture, cheese, and jalapenos.
COOKING Rating:
Easy
Why you will love this recipe
This Crispy Chorizo and Potato Tortilla Skillet Pizza recipe is a winner for several reasons:
- Quick and Easy: It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe to your taste preferences by using different salsas, cheeses, and toppings.
- Budget-Friendly: The ingredients are relatively inexpensive and readily available.
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will enjoy this fun and flavorful pizza.
- Great for Leftovers: The chorizo and potato mixture can be made ahead of time and used for quick assembly.
- Satisfying: The combination of crispy potatoes, savory chorizo, and melted cheese is incredibly satisfying.
- Unique Twist: It’s a fun and creative way to use tortillas and enjoy the flavors of Mexican cuisine.
- Versatile: You can serve it as a main course, appetizer, or snack.
- Perfect for Casual Gatherings: It’s easy to make a large batch and serve it to a crowd.
- Deliciously Simple: It proves that you don’t need complicated techniques or fancy ingredients to create a truly delicious meal.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve immediately while the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Cut into wedges and serve as individual pizzas or as part of a larger meal.
- Serve with a side salad for a balanced meal.
- Top with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for extra tanginess.
- Serve with your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick.
- Pair with a refreshing margarita or a cold Mexican beer.
Tips:
- Make extra crispy fried chorizo and potatoes the day before and use the leftovers for this pizza to make things even quicker! This is a great way to reduce prep time on a busy weeknight.
- For a spicier pizza, use a hotter salsa or add more jalapenos.
- To prevent the tortilla from burning under the broiler, keep a close eye on it and adjust the oven rack if necessary.
- If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, you can use any oven-safe skillet or even a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. However, a cast-iron skillet will give you the crispiest tortilla.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Cook one tortilla pizza at a time for the best results.
- Experiment with different toppings! Try adding black beans, corn, bell peppers, or other vegetables.
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
15 minutes
Total Time:
30 minutes
Nutritional Information:
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
- Calories: 412
- Protein: 28g
- Sodium: 867mg
Conclusion:
The Crispy Chorizo and Potato Tortilla Skillet Pizza is a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish that’s sure to become a new favorite. Its versatility, ease of preparation, and satisfying taste make it a perfect choice for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun dish to share with friends, this recipe delivers on all fronts. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings and flavors to create your own signature tortilla pizza!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: Can I use frozen potatoes instead of fresh?
A: While fresh potatoes are preferred for their texture and flavor, you can use frozen diced potatoes in a pinch. Thaw them slightly before adding them to the skillet and be mindful that they might release more moisture during cooking. You may need to cook them a bit longer to achieve the desired crispiness.
Q2: What kind of chorizo should I use?
A: This recipe calls for fresh Mexican-style chorizo. It’s typically found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store near the other fresh sausages. Unlike Spanish chorizo (which is cured and dried), Mexican chorizo is raw and needs to be cooked thoroughly. It has a unique flavor profile with a good balance of spices and heat.
Q3: Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
A: Absolutely! To make this recipe vegetarian, simply omit the chorizo and add other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini. You can also use a plant-based chorizo substitute. For added flavor and protein, consider adding black beans or corn.
Q4: How do I prevent the tortilla from getting soggy?
A: To prevent a soggy tortilla, make sure to drain any excess grease from the chorizo and potato mixture after cooking. Also, don’t overload the tortilla with too much salsa or toppings. Cooking the tortilla in a cast-iron skillet helps create a crispy base. Finally, broiling the pizza quickly ensures that the cheese melts without making the tortilla soggy.
Q5: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: You can definitely prep some components of this recipe ahead of time. The chorizo and potato mixture can be cooked and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also shred the cheese and chop the vegetables in advance. When you’re ready to assemble the pizza, it will come together even faster. However, it’s best to assemble and cook the tortilla pizzas right before serving to ensure the tortilla stays crispy.
