These beefy bean tostadas are the perfect 30-minute weeknight dinner! The beef and bean mixture is deliciously flavored with homemade taco seasoning and green chilies, and then garnished with a variety of fresh toppings. This dish is easy and beloved by all!
Why You’ll Love Beefy Bean Tostadas
Next time you need an easy weeknight meal, keep these beef and bean tostadas in mind. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also a family favorite. That’s right – they’re kid-approved!
This recipe is made with such simple ingredients that I usually already have everything on hand to throw tostadas together when we have a craving. The only downside is that they can get a bit messy, but I can deal with a little mess for a meal that’s simple, delicious, and gobbled up by my kids without complaint.
You can make your beef and bean mixture with my homemade taco seasoning to kick the flavor up a notch, or use store bought. This recipe is flexible so you can add more spice if you want, or include your favorite cheese, veggies, and beans. I gave you some amazing suggestions down below, so let me know how you like them!
Ingredients for Beef and Bean Tostadas
This meal is incredibly easy! You can even make up a big batch of the meat and bean filling and then enjoy it in a variety of ways throughout the week. Put it on salads, eggs, rice, etc.!
- Lean ground beef
- Garlic – minced
- Taco seasoning
- Refried beans
- Green chilies – chopped
- Tostada shells
- Optional toppings: lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream
How to Make This Tostadas Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef
In a large skillet, brown the beef along with some garlic over medium-low to medium heat. Cook until it’s no longer pink, and then drain off any grease.
Step 2: Add Beans
Reduce the heat to low and then add in the taco seasoning, refried beans, and chopped green chilies. Stir everything well to combine and warm it through, then remove it from the heat.
Step 3: Compile Tostadas
Top each tostada shell with 1/3 cup of taco filling and then top with your desired toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!
FAQs
The difference is in how they’re cooked – and subsequently, their texture. Tortillas are soft and easy to fold around taco filling, and a tostada is the baked (or fried) version. It’s crunchy and flat so you can pile your filling on top of it like a pizza
It’s simple, although it can get a little messy! Just pick up your tostada, keeping it flat so the toppings don’t fall off. Take bites from the sides as though you’re eating a large chip with some dip on it.
You can keep the filling in the fridge for up to 5 days, stored in an airtight container. Check the tostada shells for expiration dates, but they should last for about 7-10 days once opened.
Serving Suggestions
You can enjoy your tostada with any and all of your favorite taco toppings and sides! If you’re serving this meal to a larger group of people you can set it up buffet-style so everyone can make their own version.
- Serve your beef tostadas with some form of salsa. You could use pico de gallo, peach salsa, or my super easy blender salsa.
- Set out a variety of your favorite cheeses to sprinkle over your tostadas!
- Offer a different kind of meat like Mexican pulled pork or slow cooker shredded Mexican chicken.
- Use pinto beans or black beans instead of refried beans based on preference.
- Try different seasonings and meat to make chicken tinga tostadas!
- Add rice to your beef and bean mixture for extra bulk and texture.
- Mix in your favorite veggies! Bell peppers and onions would be great in this recipe!
- Drizzle some chile con queso dip over your tostada!
More Mexican-Inspired Meals You’ll Love
- Steak Tacos
- Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadillas
- Mexican Taco Casserole
- Loaded Breakfast Enchiladas
- Spicy Chicken Tacos
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Beefy Bean Tostadas
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 16 oz can refried beans (or you can make your own)
- 1 4 oz can chopped green chilies
- 8 to stada shells
- toppings of choice such as: lettuce cheddar, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream
Instructions
- In a large skillet brown hamburger with the garlic over medium to medium low heat until no longer pink. Drain off any grease.
- Reduce heat to low and add in the taco seasoning, refried beans and chopped green chilies. Stir well to combine. Remove from heat.
- Top each shell with 1/3 cup taco filling then top with desired toppings. Serve immediately.
For some reason, this gives me memories of elementary school lunch! 😉 You’re right, no neat and tidy way to eat a tostada but it such a humble and satisfying meal!
Very true–it is a humble yet satisfying meal!