Ground Beef Tostadas are a crispy, flavorful, and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired dish that’s perfect for quick dinners or casual entertaining. Featuring crunchy corn tortillas topped with seasoned ground beef, creamy refried beans, and your favorite toppings, these tostadas offer layers of bold taste and texture in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These tostadas are satisfying, customizable, and come together in under 30 minutes. They’re a fun alternative to tacos, making them ideal for taco night, family dinners, or meal prep. You can easily adjust the toppings based on what you have on hand, and they’re great for both adults and kids. Plus, they’re budget-friendly and great for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Onion (diced)
- Garlic (minced)
- Taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- Refried beans (canned or homemade)
- Corn tostada shells or corn tortillas (baked or fried)
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Sour cream or Mexican crema
- Salsa or hot sauce
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Directions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add diced onion and garlic to the pan and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water. Simmer until the beef is well coated and sauce thickens.
- While the beef cooks, warm refried beans in a small saucepan or microwave until smooth and spreadable.
- If using corn tortillas instead of ready-made tostadas, bake or fry them until golden and crisp.
- Assemble tostadas: spread a layer of refried beans on each shell, top with seasoned ground beef, and layer on desired toppings like lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice before serving.
Servings and timing
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6
Variations
- Spicy version: Add chopped jalapeños or chipotle peppers to the beef.
- Vegetarian option: Use seasoned lentils, black beans, or plant-based crumbles instead of beef.
- Cheesy twist: Add a layer of melted queso or sprinkle with cotija cheese.
- Tex-Mex style: Include avocado slices, pickled onions, or corn.
- Breakfast tostadas: Top with scrambled eggs and chorizo instead of beef.
storage/reheating
Store the beef and beans separately from the tostada shells and toppings. Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm the beef and beans in the microwave or on the stovetop. Re-crisp tostada shells in the oven at 375°F for 3–5 minutes. Assemble just before serving to maintain texture.
FAQs
What is a tostada?
A tostada is a flat, crispy tortilla that serves as a base for various toppings like beans, meat, vegetables, and cheese.
Can I make my own tostada shells?
Yes. Bake corn tortillas at 400°F for 5–7 minutes per side until crisp, or fry them in oil until golden.
What kind of ground beef should I use?
Lean ground beef (85–90%) works well to reduce grease without sacrificing flavor.
Can I use flour tortillas?
Corn tortillas are traditional for tostadas, but flour tortillas can be used and crisped the same way.
Are tostadas gluten-free?
Yes, if made with 100% corn tortillas and gluten-free seasonings.
What beans work best?
Refried pinto beans are classic, but black refried beans or even whole beans mashed with spices are great alternatives.
How do I prevent soggy tostadas?
Add beans as a base layer to create a barrier, and assemble just before eating to preserve crispness.
Can I make this ahead?
You can prep all the components ahead of time. Just reheat and assemble when ready to serve.
Can I freeze the ground beef?
Yes, cooked seasoned beef can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before use.
What sides go well with tostadas?
Mexican rice, street corn, chips and guacamole, or a simple salad pair perfectly.
Conclusion
Ground Beef Tostadas are an easy, delicious way to enjoy bold Mexican flavors at home. Crispy, satisfying, and endlessly versatile, they’re perfect for everything from busy weeknights to festive gatherings. Try them once, and you’ll want them in your regular rotation—customizable, flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser.
PrintGround Beef Tostadas
Crispy tostada shells topped with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, fresh veggies and cheese—a satisfying and easy weeknight meal with a Mexican twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6–9 tostadas (about 3 servings) 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop and oven
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
- 1 lb (≈453 g) lean ground beef
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 6–9 tostada shells
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Optional toppings: sour cream, avocado slices, cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Bake tostada shells for 5 minutes until crisp.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat; drain excess fat.
- Add water and taco seasoning to the beef; simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Warm refried beans in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Assemble tostadas by spreading a layer of beans on each shell, followed by the beef.
- Top with lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and optional toppings like sour cream or avocado.
- Serve immediately to maintain the crispiness of the shells.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey for a leaner version.
- You can bake or fry your own tostada shells using corn tortillas.
- Prep meat and beans ahead of time; assemble just before serving.
- Customize with your favorite toppings like salsa, jalapeños, or hot sauce.
- Store toppings and shells separately to prevent sogginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tostadas
- Calories: 527 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1039 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 94 mg