Theses Easy Tostadas are a quick, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or festive gatherings. With crispy corn tortillas as the base and a variety of colorful toppings like seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and fresh vegetables, this meal is both satisfying and fun to customize.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These tostadas come together in just 30 minutes, making them an ideal go-to recipe for a fast and flavorful dinner. They’re incredibly versatile — perfect for using up leftover ingredients or creating a DIY tostada bar for the family. Whether baked or fried, the crispy tortilla base pairs beautifully with the savory beef, creamy beans, and bright toppings. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free when made with corn tortillas.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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10 corn tortillas, or prepared tostadas
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16 oz lean ground beef
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1/2 yellow onion, diced
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1 tbsp taco seasoning
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1/2 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp salt, or to taste
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10 oz refried beans
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2 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
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1/2 cup cotija cheese or queso fresco, crumbled
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1 cup tomatoes, chopped
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1 avocado, diced
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1 cup pico de gallo or salsa
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1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
Directions
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Prepare the tostada shells:
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To bake: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray corn tortillas on both sides with oil and place flat on a baking sheet. Bake for 4 minutes, flip, and bake for another 4–5 minutes or until golden and crispy.
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Alternatively, fry them in hot oil until crisp and drain on paper towels.
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Cook the ground beef:
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In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula.
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Add garlic powder, taco seasoning, and salt. Mix in diced onion and cook until the onion is soft and the beef is fully browned.
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Heat the refried beans:
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Warm the beans in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave until hot.
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Assemble the tostadas:
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Spread a layer of refried beans on each crispy tortilla.
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Top with seasoned beef, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, pico de gallo or salsa.
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Finish with crumbled cheese and chopped cilantro.
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Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side, if desired.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 10 servings.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
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Vegetarian: Skip the beef and use grilled veggies or a plant-based protein.
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Chicken tostadas: Use shredded rotisserie chicken tossed in taco seasoning instead of beef.
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Spicy kick: Add jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat.
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Cheesy layer: Melt shredded cheese over the beans before adding toppings.
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Mexican crema: Drizzle with crema or sour cream for added richness.
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Breakfast tostadas: Top with scrambled eggs.
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Seafood twist: Use shrimp or fish as a fresh alternative.
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Tostada bowls: Serve in a baked tortilla bowl for a fun presentation.
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Guacamole base: Swap beans with guacamole for a creamy twist.
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Grain-free: Use grain-free tortillas for a low-carb option.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the beef and beans in a skillet or microwave. Crisp up tortillas again in the oven if they’ve softened. Avoid assembling tostadas in advance to prevent sogginess. Assembled tostadas do not store well and are best enjoyed fresh.
FAQs
Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?
Yes, but they’ll be softer and less traditional. You can still bake or fry them until crispy.
What kind of beans should I use?
Refried pinto beans are traditional, but refried black beans work just as well.
Can I make tostadas ahead of time?
You can prep all ingredients ahead of time, but assemble just before serving to keep the tortillas crispy.
Are tostadas gluten-free?
Yes, when made with corn tortillas, they are naturally gluten-free.
Can I freeze tostadas?
It’s best to freeze the cooked beef and beans separately. Avoid freezing assembled tostadas or tortillas.
How do I keep tostadas crispy?
Assemble just before serving and avoid adding too much moisture-heavy toppings like salsa in advance.
What cheese is best for tostadas?
Cotija or queso fresco are traditional, but shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack also work well.
Can I bake the tortillas instead of frying?
Yes, baking is a healthier alternative and still produces a crispy shell.
What toppings go well on tostadas?
Avocado, lettuce, tomato, salsa, cheese, and cilantro are classic. You can also add olives, jalapeños, or sour cream.
What’s the difference between a taco and a tostada?
Tacos are folded, while tostadas are flat and crispy, more like an open-faced sandwich.
Conclusion
This Easy Tostada Recipe is the perfect blend of crunchy, savory, and fresh. Quick to prepare and endlessly customizable, it’s a great choice for family dinners, casual get-togethers, or even meal prep. With its balance of textures and flavors, this recipe proves that simple ingredients can create something truly satisfying.
Print
Easy Tostada
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
Homemade Tostadas are a quick and easy Mexican-inspired meal, featuring crispy tortillas topped with seasoned beef, refried beans, fresh veggies, and crumbled cheese. Perfect for a customizable family dinner!
Ingredients
- 10 corn tortillas or prepared tostadas
- 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
- 10 oz refried beans
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese or queso fresco, crumbled
- 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup pico de gallo or salsa
- 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- To bake tostadas, preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray corn tortillas with oil on both sides and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 4 minutes, flip, and bake another 4-5 minutes until crispy and golden.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Season with garlic powder, salt, and taco seasoning.
- Add diced onion and cook until the onion is translucent and beef is browned and cooked through.
- Heat refried beans in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave until hot.
- Assemble tostadas by spreading a layer of refried beans on each tortilla.
- Top with ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and pico de gallo or salsa.
- Finish with a sprinkle of crumbled cheese and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can fry the tortillas instead of baking for extra crispiness.
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian option.
- Customize toppings to include jalapeños, sour cream, or shredded cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking or Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tostada
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
