Description
This easy tostada recipe features crispy corn tortillas topped with seasoned ground beef, warm refried beans, fresh vegetables, and tangy cheese. Perfect for a quick, satisfying Mexican-inspired meal that’s both colorful and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 10 corn tortillas (or prepared tostadas)
Beef Topping
- 16 oz lean ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion (diced)
- 1 Tbsp taco seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
Bean Layer
- 10 oz refried beans
Fresh Toppings
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce (chopped)
- 1 cup tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 avocado (diced)
- 1 cup pico de gallo (or salsa)
- 1/3 cup cilantro (chopped)
Cheese
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, or queso fresco (crumbled)
Instructions
- Bake or Fry the Tostadas: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Spray both sides of the corn tortillas with oil to crisp up during baking. Arrange them flat on a baking sheet and bake for 4 minutes. Flip each tortilla and continue baking for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until they turn golden and crispy.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the lean ground beef. Break it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Season with garlic powder, salt, and taco seasoning. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion becomes translucent.
- Heat the Refried Beans: Warm the refried beans either in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave until they are hot and steaming.
- Assemble the Tostadas: Spread a layer of warm refried beans on each crispy tortilla. Top with cooked ground beef, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, diced avocado, and a spoonful of pico de gallo or salsa. Finish by sprinkling crumbled cotija or queso fresco cheese and chopped cilantro over each tostada. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can either bake or fry the tortillas to make tostadas. Baking is a healthier alternative that yields a crispy texture without excess oil.
- Feel free to swap lean ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Use fresh homemade pico de gallo or your favorite salsa to enhance flavor.
- For extra crunch, add sliced radishes or jalapeños as toppings.
- Leftover assembled tostadas are best eaten immediately as the tortillas can become soggy over time.
