Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place a rimmed baking sheet on the oven rack or set one aside for assembly.
• Prepare the beans: if using canned pinto beans, drain and rinse them, then puree with the listed 1/4 cup water in a blender until smooth; if using canned refried beans, use them as is. Measure out 1 cup total.
• Cook the meat: heat a large skillet over medium. Add 1/2 pound lean ground turkey or lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no pink remains, about 8–10 minutes. During cooking, add 1/2 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and stir to combine. Drain excess fat if desired and remove from heat.
• Divide the prepared ingredients into three portions: split the cooked meat into three equal portions, measure three 1/3-cup portions of the beans (total 1 cup), and divide the 1 cup shredded cheese into three equal portions (about 1/3 cup each).
• Assemble on the baking sheet: place one tortilla on the sheet. Spread one 1/3-cup portion of beans evenly over the tortilla, sprinkle one portion of cheese, and distribute one portion of meat on top. Place a second tortilla over this and repeat (beans, cheese, meat). Place the third tortilla on top and add the final beans, cheese, and meat.
• Bake in the preheated oven about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tortilla edges are golden.
• Remove from the oven and top with the 1 cup ribbon-sliced romaine lettuce and the diced medium tomato.
• Cut the assembled Southwestern pizza into 4 slices and serve.