Beef Tostadas with Beans (Printable)
Crunchy corn tostadas layered with seasoned beef, creamy beans, fresh toppings, and melted cheese.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Beans
11 - 1 (15-ounce) can refried beans
12 - 2 tablespoons water, as needed
→ Tostadas and Toppings
13 - 8 corn tostada shells
14 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
15 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
16 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
17 - 1/2 cup sour cream
18 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
19 - 1 avocado, sliced
20 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
03 - Add ground beef and cook while breaking it up with a spoon until browned and fully cooked, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
05 - In a small saucepan, heat refried beans over low heat, stirring in water as needed to achieve a creamy consistency. Keep warm.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat store-bought tostada shells on a baking sheet for 3 to 5 minutes until heated through and extra crispy.
07 - Spread a layer of warm refried beans onto each tostada shell. Top with seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, and fresh cilantro.
08 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The beef is seasoned so generously that even the picky eaters stop complaining and start eating.
- You control the toppings, so everyone gets exactly what they want without you becoming short-order cook.
- It's crispy, creamy, fresh, and satisfying all at once—the kind of meal that feels indulgent but isn't fussy.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the beef fat; excess grease makes the shells soggy and the overall dish heavy.
- If your refried beans are too thick, water works better than any other liquid because it won't cool them down or change the flavor.
- Assemble just before eating because a tostada waits for no one—the moment those warm toppings hit the shell, time is limited.
03 -
- Toast your spices in the pan for 30 seconds before adding the meat if you want them to taste even more vibrant and complex.
- Keep all your cold toppings in separate bowls so people can build exactly what they want without you playing ingredient traffic cop.