Quick Mexican Beef Tostadas (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Base and Protein

01 - 8 tostada shells or corn tortillas
02 - 1 pound lean ground beef
03 - 1 (16-ounce) can refried beans

→ Seasonings and Aromatics

04 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
05 - 1/2 onion, diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
08 - 1/4 cup salsa, plus more for serving

→ Toppings

09 - 2 cups shredded lettuce
10 - 1 tomato, diced
11 - 1 avocado, diced
12 - 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
13 - Sour cream and fresh cilantro, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - If making fresh tostada shells, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place corn tortillas directly on the oven rack and bake for 8-10 minutes until crisp. Set aside.
02 - Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
03 - Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Break the meat up with a wooden spoon. Stir in the salsa and cook until hot. Remove from the heat.
04 - While the meat cooks, microwave the refried beans in 30-second intervals until hot.
05 - To assemble, spread a thin layer of refried beans on each crispy tostada shell. Top with a generous spoonful of the seasoned ground beef mixture, followed by the lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese, sour cream, and cilantro, as desired.
06 - Serve the tostadas immediately with extra salsa on the side. Enjoy!

# Notes:

01 - Thin the beans with a small amount of water if needed for easier spreading.
02 - Shred the cheese yourself for the best taste and texture rather than using pre-shredded.
03 - Serve immediately after assembling to prevent the tostada shells from becoming soggy.