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Easy Tostadas Compuestas Recipe with Seasoned Beef and Refried Beans

Easy Tostadas Compuestas

These New Mexican-style tostadas compuestas stack crisp corn tortillas with refried beans and seasoned ground beef, then finish them with fresh vegetables, cheese, sour cream, and salsa. The recipe makes 8 tostadas for 4 servings in about 35 minutes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Tostada Shells
  • 8 Small corn tortillas, about 6 inches each
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons Vegetable oil, if frying
Seasoned Beef
  • 1 pound Ground beef
  • 1/2 cup Finely diced yellow onion
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon, plus more to taste Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Water or beef broth
Beans and Toppings
  • 1 15 to 16-ounce can Refried beans
  • 2 cups Finely shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
  • 1 Medium tomato, seeded and diced
  • 1/2 cup Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese blend
  • 1/2 cup Sour cream
  • 1/2 cup Red or green salsa
Optional Toppings
  • 1 Avocado, diced or sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Chopped cilantro

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Prepare the tostada shells by frying each tortilla in 2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil over medium to medium-high heat for 45 to 60 seconds per side, until crisp and lightly browned. Drain on paper towels, or brush the tortillas lightly with oil and bake at 400°F for 10 to 14 minutes, turning once.
  2. Brown the ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium heat, breaking the meat into small pieces. Drain any excess fat.
  3. Stir in the garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and water or beef broth. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the seasoning is evenly distributed and the beef is moist but not runny.
  4. Warm the refried beans in a saucepan or microwave. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons water if needed, making the beans soft enough to spread easily.
  5. For each serving, spread one tostada shell with about 1/4 cup refried beans and add about 1/3 cup seasoned beef. Place a second crisp shell on top.
  6. Finish each stack with lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, salsa, and optional avocado and cilantro. Serve immediately.

Notes

Warm and loosen the refried beans before assembling so they spread evenly. Assemble just before serving because salsa, sour cream, and juicy tomatoes soften the shells quickly. For a more traditional New Mexican flavor, replace some or all of the salsa with roasted green chile or serve green chile on the side.