Name: Easy Ground Beef Tostadas
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 33 min
Ingredients: 3 cups refried beans (homemade or store-bought); 10 ounces Monterey cheese (grated); 1 large tomato (diced); 1/2 head of iceberg lettuce (shredded); 2 cups ground beef (cooked with a taco seasoning packet or homemade seasoning); Guacamole (optional); 12 corn tortillas; Optional toppings-Cotija cheese (avocado slices, salsa, guacamole)

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In just 20 minutes, you can have a scrumptious Mexican dinner ready to serve. Simply top crispy and crunchy corn tortilla shells with some ground beef, refried beans, and any other toppings of your choice. Enjoy the delicious blend of flavors and textures in every bite!

Easy Ground Beef Tostadas | The Busy Abuelita

This recipe for Ground Beef Tostadas is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want to whip up a delicious and satisfying meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. Tostadas are a popular dish and a great addition to any buffet spread. Simply set out the tostada shells, beans, and meat in crockpots, and then let everyone add their own toppings. In Mexico and the American Southwest, Tostadas are often served as a standalone dish, but they can also be paired with other Mexican foods for an even more delicious meal.

Fried or Baked Tostada Shells?

Frying tostada shells are traditional, but baking and air frying is another way of toasting corn tortillas.

Frying Instructions: In a medium, deep skillet, heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil until hot. Fry one corn tortilla at a time over moderately high heat until lightly golden on both sides, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Let cool before serving.

Baked Instructions: Place corn tortillas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush tortillas with olive oil on both sides and sprinkle with salt. Place in a preheated oven at 350° F for 5-7 minutes on each side. Let cool before serving.

Air Fryer Instructions: Place one tortilla into the air fryer. Air fry at 390 degrees F for about 4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown. (Note: Place metal trivet on tortilla to keep flat in the air fryer.)

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Tostada Toppings

Refried pinto or black beans are the traditional base of tostadas. For extra flavor, I add cooked Mexican chorizo or bacon drippings to the refried beans.

Meat: Another great topping is shredded beef, chicken, or pork. Leftover meat from any Mexican dish is perfect. Taco meat, fajita meat, barbacoa, steak and carne asada are the perfect complement to top tostadas.

Salsa: Any type of salsa will add that kick to your tostada.

Cream: Guacamole, sour cream, habanero cream sauce, and spicy Poblano Cream take tostadas to a whole different level of yumminess!

Veggies: Lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocados, sliced black olives, chopped cilantro, and more!

Cheese: I love cheese on tostadas…you can use Quesadilla, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Queso Fresco.

How to Make Ground Beef Tostadas

Start with tostada shells, oil-fried, baked, or air-fried, and let cool.

Spread refried beans on a tostada shell, next ground beef cooked with taco seasoning, and cheese.

Lettuce, and tomatoes next then top with whatever toppings you desire. That’s it…so simple!

If you’re vegetarian, you can skip the meat and add chunks of cooked potatoes, avocados, zucchini, and more!

What should I serve with Ground Beef Tostadas?

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