While Cinco de Mayo is celebrated mainly in the state of Puebla, Mexico, it also is a major event in many Texas cities. It commemorates Mexico's victory over France in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN; food styling by ANNE GREER McCANN/ Special Contributor

Individual Mexican pizzas offer traditional tastes without all the time-consuming labor.

A Cinco de Mayo celebration wouldn't be the same without food, beverages, music and colorful decorations.

While many authentic Mexican foods can be labor intensive, these individual pizzas can be made from purchased ingredients, and they cook in minutes in the oven or on an outdoor grill. Add some chips and guacamole, a Caesar salad (invented in Tijuana, Mexico), margaritas and pralines for an easy Cinco de Mayo party.

This recipe is for 4 small pizzas, so adjust the amount of ingredients according to the number of guests. Larger pizza crusts will take more ingredients, so be flexible with amounts.

Anne Greer McCann is a Dallas author and restaurant consultant.

Preheat the grill to high or the oven to 375 F.

Stir taco seasoning into marinara sauce and heat to warm for 50 seconds on High (100 percent power) in microwave. Spread over pizza crusts. Sprinkle each one with parmesan cheese.

Add chicken or beef, dividing among the four pizzas. Top with corn, scallions and pepper Jack. Add jalapeños if desired.

If grilling, reduce the heat from high to the lowest setting. Place the pizzas directly on the grill, cover and cook 5 to 6 minutes. Be sure the crust does not burn; it is only necessary to crisp the crust, warm the ingredients and melt the cheese.

If using the oven, place directly on the rack and bake 5 to 6 minutes or until the crust is crisp and the cheese is melted. Remove with a large spatula, place on a cutting board and using a sharp knife, cut into wedges. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 individual pizzas.

Notes: Boboli 8-inch pizza crusts are sold 2 per package. Or you could use French Meadow Bakery's frozen thin pizza crusts, sold at Whole Foods Market in Highland Park. If using frozen crusts, cooking time may take a few more minutes.

Cooked chicken or beef fajita meat can be purchased frozen in many stores or at your favorite Mexican restaurant. You could add another topping choice such as cooked ground taco meat, if desired.

Fresh corn kernels cut from the cob give a better texture, but you could use canned corn kernels, well drained.

PER SERVING (WITH CHICKEN): Calories 984 (39% fat) Fat 42 g (19 g sat) Cholesterol 154 mg Sodium 2,221 mg Fiber 5 g Carbohydrates 95 g Protein 56 g