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Bean Tostada

Need a quick and easy meal? This Bean Tostada recipe is so simple to make with just a few ingredients and it’s ready in 15 minutes for a great weeknight dinner. 

Bean tostada on a plate with sour cream, salsa.

This baked tostada recipe has the most delicious crispy tortilla base topped with refried pinto beans and cheese. A tostada is basically a flat taco and makes a nice change to the menu when taco night rolls around. 

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We have been making a Mexican Fiesta dinner just about every weekend. It’s great to feed a crowd and everyone loves it. These crispy tostadas are a great addition to any Mexican-inspired meal.

Why We Love this easy Bean Tostada Recipe

  • Hearty and Delicious: Beans are a great source of protein, they are filling and when topped with melted cheese and your favorite taco toppings, it’s a delicious flavor combination. It’s a one of our favorite recipe ideas that you will want to add to your regular rotation.
  • Budget Friendly Dinner: Bean tostadas are very budget friendly, especially if you make homemade refried beans. It’s a delicious way to feed a hungry crowd without over spending at the grocery store. 
  • Great for Busy Weeknights: Tostadas can be on the table in about 15 minutes and everyone can add their favorite toppings for a family favorite.

Ingredients Needed for Bean and Cheese Tostadas

  • Tostada Shells or Corn Tortillas
  • Refried Beans, Pinto Beans or Black Beans
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese or queso fresco 
  • Pico de Gallo: tomatoes, red onion, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper
  • Sliced Green Onion
  • Sour Cream
  • Cilantro

Step By Step Directions for Bean Tostada Recipe

6 Tostadas with refried beans and shredded cheese on a pan.
  1. Place tostada shells in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. 
  2. Spoon refried beans over the tostada shells. 
  3. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. 
Melted cheese and bean tostadas on a pan.
  1. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. 
  2. Remove from oven. 
Plate with bean tostada topped with cheese, sour cream, salsa.
  1. Serve with sour cream, pico de gallo, green onions and cilantro. 

Notes and Variations for Crispy Tostadas 

  • Homemade Refried Beans: If you are using home-cooked beans, cook in a skillet with 1 tablespoon bacon grease, adding 1 teaspoon granulated garlic and a little water. Use a potato masher to mash to desired consistency. Cook until heated through and well combined.
  • Corn Tortillas: To make your own crispy tortillas, heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil or avocado oil a bit a time. Cook corn tortillas 2 minutes per side until crisp. Drain on a paper towel lined wire rack. 
  • Additional Toppings: Chopped white onion, fresh avocado slices or guacamole. Homemade salsa or picante sauce can be served in place of the pico de gallo. 
  • Storage: Store leftover tostadas in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator up to 3 days. 
  • Reheat: Place tostadas on a baking sheet and cook 5-8 minutes until heated through.

Best Side Dishes for Refried Bean Tostadas

  • Skillet Mexican Corn is a quick and easy version of Elotes made with frozen sweet corn and tastes just as amazing as the street fare.
  • Easy Spanish Rice is a super fast side dish to serve with your favorite Mexican recipes and everyone loves it.
  • Cilantro Lime Coleslaw adds a fresh and delicious element to Mexican food meals and comes together in a snap.

You might also like these Grilled Chicken Tostadas for a quick dinner and these Shrimp Tostadas have so much flavor. 

Plate with a bean and cheese tostada.

Bean Tostadas are a great recipe for the next time you need a quick meal and don’t have a meal plan and comes together with very little effort.

If you love this recipe as much as we do, please leave a comment and a five star review. Help us share on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!

Bean Tostada on a plate with sour cream, fresh salsa.
Print Recipe
5 from 51 votes

Bean Tostada

Need a quick and easy meal? This Bean Tostada recipe is so simple to make with just a few ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes for a great weeknight dinner. 
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: baked tostada, crispy tostadas, flat tacos, refried bean tostada
Servings: 6 Tostadas
Calories: 446kcal
Author: Milisa

Ingredients

  • 6 tostada shells
  • 1 can refried pinto beans or 2 cups homemade
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Optional toppings

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Place tostada shells in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. 
  • Spoon refried beans over the tostada shells. 
  • Sprinkle with shredded cheese. 
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. 
  • Remove from oven. 
  • Serve with sour cream, pico de gallo, green onions and cilantro.

Notes

  • Homemade Refried Beans: If you are using home-cooked beans, cook in a skillet with 1 tablespoon bacon grease, adding 1 teaspoon granulated garlic and a little water. Use a potato masher to mash to desired consistency. Cook until heated through and well combined.
  • Corn Tortillas: To make your own crispy tortillas, heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil or avocado oil a bit a time. Cook corn tortillas 2 minutes per side until crisp. Drain on a paper towel lined wire rack. 
  • Additional Toppings: Sliced green onions, fresh avocado slices or guacamole. Homemade salsa or picante sauce can be served in place of the pico de gallo. 
  • Storage: Store leftover tostadas in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator up to 3 days. 
  • Reheat: Place tostadas on a baking sheet and cook 5-8 minutes until heated through
  • Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 476mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 1g
    5 from 51 votes (51 ratings without comment)

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