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Ground Beef Tostadas

Ground Beef Tostadas with refried beans, fresh toppings, and tangy crema. Crispy, customizable, and perfect for easy dinners or casual gatherings.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients
  

Spicy Ground Beef
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 white onion diced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
Tostadas
  • Olive oil
  • 8 –10 corn tortillas
  • Salt
Crema
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
Toppings
  • 16 ounces refried beans
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 tomato diced
  • 1/4 red onion diced
  • 1 avocado peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup queso fresco crumbled

Method
 

Make the Crema
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, heavy cream, salt, and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight) for best flavor.
Bake the Tortillas
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place tortillas on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle lightly with salt. Rub oil over both sides.
  2. Bake in 4-minute increments, flipping each time, for about 12 minutes total or until golden and crisp. Let cool.
Cook the Ground Beef
  1. Heat a skillet over medium-high. Add olive oil and diced onion; sauté 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook, breaking into crumbles, until browned.
  2. Drain if needed. Return to pan, add water and seasonings. Simmer on low, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Heat Refried Beans
  1. Warm the beans in a saucepan or microwave until spreadable.
Assemble the Tostadas
  1. Start with a layer of refried beans on each crispy tortilla, followed by ground beef. Add shredded lettuce, diced tomato, red onion, avocado slices, and queso fresco. Drizzle with crema and serve immediately.

Notes

Adjust spice level by controlling the chili powder and red pepper flakes.
Watch tortillas closely while baking to prevent burning.
Use freshly shredded queso fresco for best flavor.