These crispy, flavorful ground beef tostadas are topped with a creamy crema, fresh veggies, and melted cheese for a satisfying meal. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun taco night!
Ingredients
For the Spicy Ground Beef:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 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
- Optional: red pepper flakes for added heat
For the Tostadas:
- Olive oil
- 8–10 corn tortillas
- Salt
For the Crema:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
For the Toppings:
- 16 ounces refried beans
- 1 cup lettuce, shredded
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1/4 red onion, diced
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
- 1 cup queso fresco cheese, shredded
Directions
- Prepare the Crema:
- In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, heavy cream, salt, and lime juice until smooth.
- Cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
- Bake the Tostadas:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange the corn tortillas on a large baking sheet. Lightly drizzle or brush both sides of each tortilla with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
- Bake for about 12 minutes, flipping every 4 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet to maintain crispiness.
- Cook the Spicy Ground Beef:
- In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of olive oil and the diced onion. Cook for 1 minute until softened.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until evenly browned.
- Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in water, chili powder, salt, cumin, garlic powder, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Assemble the Tostadas:
- Warm the refried beans in a pot or microwave.
- Spread a layer of refried beans on each cooled tortilla.
- Top with a generous amount of the spicy ground beef.
- Add shredded lettuce, diced tomato, diced red onion, and sliced avocado. Sprinkle with shredded queso fresco.
- Drizzle with the prepared crema.
- Serve:
- Serve the tostadas immediately while still crispy for the best texture.
Tips
- Make Ahead: Prepare the crema a day in advance to enhance the flavor.
- Variations: Add sliced jalapeños, fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of lime juice for extra zest.
These Ground Beef Tostadas are a delicious, customizable dish that’s sure to be a hit at your table!