Tostadas are similar to bean burritos, but cooked open-face under a broiler rather than rolled up. Try bean and cheese tostadas for a delicious, easy meal!
Jump to RecipeI’ve always been a fan of refried beans. But I usually only eat them in Taco Dip or making simple bean burritos. I found a recipe on the 100 Days of Real Food website for tostadas with chicken, but we weren’t wanting meat the night we came up with this recipe. Usually, though, I love the recipes on there and still want to try them with chicken one day. But it hasn’t happened yet since we love the bean and cheese tostadas.
I searched online for other recipes for tostadas since it was something I had never had before this. Of course, everyone makes them slightly different. So I used the elements I liked from a few and started cooking.
Refried beans are basically a staple in my pantry so I knew I wanted to use those. We had some small taco shells from another meal, so we used those as the base. Then I started building from there.
When I know we have these on the meal plan for the week, I buy corn tortillas for the base because they cook better and are a healthier option. I tried making my own refried beans once and it was an epic fail, so I like to get the Old El Paso brand of beans whenever I need them. But don’t buy the fat-free ones, they have no flavor!
Bean and cheese tostadas are a great weeknight meal because they are quick and easy to make, and you can prepare just the amount you need. Also, since there isn’t any meat to get out, it’s perfect for nights when you haven’t planned anything and don’t have to wait for the meat to thaw. There isn’t a long prep time, meaning dinner can be on the table in about 30 minutes.
We’ve made these with both white onion and red onion. They are both good but give a slightly different flavor so you can decide which you would rather have. And that’s what I like about this recipe: everyone can make their own to their tastes. My boys don’t like all of the toppings. I don’t like a lot of onion. Justin doesn’t put sour cream on his.
We like to serve ours with a refreshing drink such as Strawberry Mojitos or Spiked Agua Fresca. They have also become our go-to for a quick and easy Cinco de Mayo dinner, especially if we have friends over.
Bean and Cheese Tostadas Step by Step
Ingredients
- 12 flour tortilla shells (small)
- 1 can refried beans
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cilantro
- 1 1/2 cups monterey jack cheese (shredded)
- 2 tsp Lime juice
- 1/2 onion (chopped)
- 3 avocados (diced)
- 2 tbsp sour cream
Preparation
You’ll want the oven at a high temperature so preheat it to 400F. Place the tortillas on a lightly greased baking sheet or baking stone and spread some refried beans out on each of them. I use about a spoonful or two for each, depending on the size of the tortillas and how many I am making.
Sprinkle some of the seasonings on top of the beans. Add a squirt of lime juice to each tostada.
Cover with cheese.
Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Remove the tostadas from the oven and top with onion, avocados, and sour cream as desired.
Recipe
Originally Published On: August 1, 2016
Last Updated On: July 27, 2023
Bean and Cheese Tostadas
Ingredients
- 12 flour tortilla shells (small)
- 1 can refried beans
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cilantro
- 1 1/2 cups monterey jack cheese (shredded)
- 2 tsp Lime juice
- 1/2 onion (chopped)
- 3 avocados (diced)
- 2 tbsp sour cream
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F
- Place tortillas on lightly greased baking sheet
- Spread each tortilla with beans
- Sprinkle seasonings on beans, as desired
- Top with cheese and a small amount of lime juice
- Bake for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted
- Add additional toppings, such as onion, avocado, sour cream, etc.
- Serve warm
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
More TexMex Recipes to try
- Chili Nacho Dip
- Bean and Cheese Tostadas
- Taco Pizza
- 5 Layer Bean Dip
- Frito Pies or Walking Tacos
- Taco Tostadas
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Pico de Gallo Recipe
- Tex-Mex Queso Recipe without Velveeta
- Southwestern Salad with an Avocado Dressing
- Taco-Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Homemade Queso with Real Cheese
- Chicken Enchilada Skillet
- Two Minute Salsa
- Sheet Pan Nachos
- Chicken Flautas with Buttermilk-Avocado Sauce
- Taco-Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- How to Create an Allergy-Friendly Taco Bar
- Chicken Enchilada Suizas Skillet Dinner
- Chipotle Chicken Tacos
- Halloween Quesadillas
- Tortilla-Crusted Chicken
- Taco Dip
- Chicken Tortilla Soup (Gluten Free and Dairy Free)
Recipes Using Tortilla Shells
- Homemade Tortilla Shells
- Veggie Tortilla Pinwheels Roll Ups Recipe
- Jack-O-Lantern Quesadillas
- Chicken Flautas with Buttermilk-Avocado Sauce
- Hawaiian Chicken Wraps: An Easy Summer Meal
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Chipotle Chicken Tacos
- Spinach and Artichoke Quesadillas
- Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas with Homemade Fajita Seasoning
- Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
- Crispy Chicken Wraps
- Chicken Enchilada Skillet
- Chicken Fajitas from Scratch
- Avocado Fish Tacos
- Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas
- Seafood Enchiladas
- Bean and Cheese Tostadas
- How to Create an Allergy-Friendly Taco Bar
- Shrimp Tacos with Homemade Coleslaw Recipe
These look really good and simple to make! Plus you can make them gluten free!
You could easily make them gluten-free as long as you get corn tortillas instead of flour.
I know that I’ve said it before, but I love the way you come up with your recipes. It’s how real people cook!! I’m constantly going to pinterest trying to find a new meal to make and end up modifying it by what is already in my cupboard and what my family will or won’t eat.
I don’t know if I’ve ever made a recipe exactly to the letter. There’s either something we won’t eat, don’t have, need to sub, whatever. Sometimes I just forget an ingredient or step and just go with it!
Great recipe! I had never thought to make tostadas like this (I only know how to make them this one way that my former roommate Ana, a native of south TX, used to make them, but it never dawned on me that one could make them OTHER ways – duh!). Will have to try them sometime! 🙂
Isn’t it funny how that happens sometimes? I’ve done that before, only known one way to make something and never thought to change it up until I see someone else do it.
Will be so yummy when we finally get to try them! (Just have to remember to put an avocado on the shopping list for the next time one of us ventures out, and hope and pray the store shelves aren’t bare LOL…)
I hear ya! I plan to put refried beans on my list since there’s a lot you can do with them.
These look really delicious and you have given me an idea of how to use up some cheese I have and tortillas.
That sounds perfect! You can customize them with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
that sounds like a great dish to serve with friends around the table. I will have to bookmark this recipe and throw a get together soon. thank you!
I’ve made these when we had family over for dinner before and they were a hit!
Oh, I never heard of these but they do look tasty!!
xx
lau
Tostadas are like an open-faced taco, but you can put more on it since you don’t have to roll it up. They are yummy!
This looks delicious! I’m always looking for meatless meals. I love the ease of this recipe.
This is such an easy meatless meal. You can customize it with whatever toppings you prefer to make it your own.
This food looks new from me. I will try to make it my own Bean and Cheese Tostadas someday thanks for sharing your special recipe 🙂
I’m glad I could give you something new to try! Meals like this are popular here since we are close to Mexico.
We love making these for a budget friendly meal. So quick and easy to make too.
I hadn’t thought about it, but they are definitely a cheap meal. Especially if you go light on the amount of toppings.
Oh these look so delicious! I will definitely be adding these to my dinner ideas list!
They are a great quick and easy meal for busy nights! And since they are separate, everyone can make their own with the toppings they prefer.
oh yum!! I love tostadas. I will use vegan cheese and give this a go, it’s perfect for this time of the year.
This is the only way I’ve had tostadas before. I hope you enjoy if you get a chance to make these!
This looks like a great light meal. I love that you made it without the chicken because it feels lighter. My guy would probably prefer it with the chicken though haha. I love refried beans but I never thought of actually buying them. It sounds like a great staple to have. Until now I just got regular beans but refried are better 🙂
We also didn’t have any chicken at the time! I think my husband would prefer them with either chicken or steak on top, but he will still eat them with the beans.
We’ve done the bean and cheese tostadas several times. The addition of avocado is a great idea that I’ll have to try.
The avocado was my husband’s idea. I will eat avocado if we have it, but he was the one who specifically asked to make sure we have one for this recipe.
Ooh these look delicious! I’ll definitely have to go grab those ingredients next time i’m at the store!
Luckily they are all ingredients that are pretty easy to find and budget-friendly! Enjoy!!
Oh my this looks good and so easy to make. It looks yummy and delicious. Now am hungry for this. Saving this recipe.
So good and definitely easy. They are great for a quick dinner on a busy night. I hope you enjoy them!
They are such a fun meal. I know I would love this. It’s sad my daughter doesn’t like refried beans though. I keep trying though. Who doesn’t love some beans and cheese?
I’m still working on refried beans with my boys, too. I love the combo of refried beans and cheese!
I’ve never heard of tostadas, but it sure looks tasty! I love that the toppings can be customized to each person taste.
We have a lot of food like this since we are in Texas so get a lot of Mexican influence in our food here. I love meals that can be custom for each person since each one of us likes something a little different.
ooh…I have ever tried putting avocado on a bean tostada like that…looks super delicious. I’m gonna try that!
I have to give my husband credit for that addition, it was all his idea!
Oh my word! This looks like it would be so delicious. I definitely need these in my life – like yesterday!
I know, food blogger problems… we made these a few weeks ago to photograph and prep the post, and now I want them again!
I find this recipe very interesting. I don’t think I currently have all the ingredients… So, I’ll have to wait before trying it at home.
Sadly, I’ve been doing the same with so many delicious recipes I’ve seen lately, too. I pin and bookmark and save for my next grocery delivery order right now.
YES!!! these look fab. I love Avocado and beans so these I will be giving a go this weekend for sure. They look well good xx
It makes such a great combination! I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Oh these sound REALLY good. I have been so bored with our dinners lately and wanting some new stuff. THis is perfect!
They are so yummy, and so easy to make!
Now I know what we’ll be trying for meatless Monday! Thanks for this suggestion to make bean cheese tostadas!
We love it for Meatless Monday or a variant on Taco Tuesday!
Bean cheese tostadas sound deilicious and easy to make! This is not what we usually eat but I like trying new flavors.
They are so easy and a great meal, especially for something a bit different.
What a great dish. I love avocados so this recipe caught my attention. Perfect for the summer.
The avocados are great on top of the tostadas!
This is such a delicious dish! I just love toastadas, I can’t wait to make these again…YUM!!!
I love them, too. And they are so easy to make for a quick dinner.