Accidental Goodness: Vegan Taco Pizza

This past weekend, after much deliberation on how in the world I was going to make a meal out of the stragglers and castaways inhabiting my cabinets, (and two glasses of wine) I decided I could (possibly, maybe, hopefully) make a taco pizza. Having never made one before, I shut my eyes and crossed my fingers, and was pleasantly surprised with the results.

If you don't have this stuff, go get it:

-Pizza crust (ours was pre-made but I'm sure there are a million and one recipes online if you prefer scratch).

-Can of refried beans. I hate even typing the phrase "refried beans," but it is essential- promise.

-Jar of salsa

-Taco seasoning

-Lettuce

-Onion (amount depends on personal preference, though I think I used about 1/4 of an onion)

-Can of black beans

-Cilantro

-"Cheese" (I used daiya)

-4-5 Hard taco shells or a couple handfuls of tortilla chips

-2 Roma tomatoes

-Avocado

-Cayenne pepper

Prep: Chop lettuce, onion, cilantro, tomatoes. Crush taco shells or tortilla chips into bite-sized pieces.

1. Preheat oven to 450, brush crust with olive oil.

2. In a medium or large bowl, mix refried beans with salsa (how much salsa depends on personal preference...I used 3/4 of a jar). Stir in taco seasoning; amount, again, depends on personal taste. I'd say I used about 1/2-3/4 of a packet. Spread this mixture onto crust.

3. Sprinkle about half of crushed taco shells or tortilla chips over the bean mixture.

4. Sprinkle layer of cheese (go light here), then lettuce, then onion.

5. Sprinkle layer of black beans and tomato. 

6. Add the rest of your taco shells or chips.

7. Alternate sprinkling of "cheese" and cilantro until you're satisfied. Add a couple of dashes of cayenne pepper on top (be careful!). Place pizza on oven rack and bake for 8-10 minutes.

8. While baking, slice up 1/2 an avocado. Place slices on top of pizza during cooling. Enjoy!

P.S.- Don't forget to add your favorite hot sauce!