Beef Tostadas Refried Beans (Printable)
Crispy tostadas topped with seasoned beef, creamy beans, fresh veggies, and melted cheese for a festive meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins & Spices
01 -
02 -
03 -
04 -
05 -
06 -
07 -
08 -
→ Beans & Bases
09 -
10 -
→ Vegetables & Toppings
11 -
12 -
13 -
14 -
15 -
16 -
17 -
→ Cheese & Sauces
18 -
19 -
20 -
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir constantly for 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Transfer refried beans to a small saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth and thoroughly warmed through.
04 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange tostada shells on a baking sheet and bake for 3-5 minutes until crisp and warm.
05 - Spread a generous layer of refried beans onto each tostada shell. Top with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeño (if using), and shredded cheese.
06 - Drizzle with sour cream and salsa or hot sauce. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- Everything happens in about 40 minutes with barely any active cooking time
- The layers of beans, beef, and fresh toppings make every bite exciting
02 -
- Let the beef cool slightly before assembling or the heat will wilt your fresh toppings instantly
- Serve immediately after assembling because the moisture from toppings will soften the shells over time
03 -
- Add a splash of lime juice to the beef while cooking for brightness
- Sprinkle cheese onto the warm beef so it melts slightly before adding cold toppings