Looking for a quick and delicious meal that won’t break the bank or eat up your evening? These Easy Baked Tostadas are your answer! This recipe transforms simple corn tortillas into crispy, flavorful shells ready for your favorite toppings, offering a satisfying and customizable dinner solution for busy households.
Key Ingredients for Easy Baked Tostadas
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey (80/20 recommended for flavor)
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion (about 1/2 medium onion)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1/2 cup salsa (your favorite kind)
- 1/4 cup water
- For Toppings (suggestions, customize to your liking!):
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Chopped cilantro
- Pickled jalapeños
How to Make Easy Baked Tostadas
These Easy Baked Tostadas are incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal fuss for maximum flavor. You’ll love how quickly they come together, offering a satisfyingly crispy base for a vibrant and customizable meal. With a preparation time of just around 30 minutes, you can have a delicious dinner on the table in no time, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Think of it as a healthier, more convenient way to enjoy all your favorite taco fillings!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Tortilla Shells: Take each corn tortilla and brush both sides lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Place the tortillas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. To get that perfect tostada shape, you have a couple of options:
- Crispy Flat: Lay them completely flat on the baking sheet.
- Slightly Cupped: Gently fold each tortilla in half, then in half again, creating a quarter-moon shape. Place these folded tortillas on the baking sheet so they stand up slightly, forming a natural cup. You might need to prop them against each other if they don’t stand well on their own.
- Bake the Tortillas: Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the tortillas are becoming crispy. The exact time will depend on your oven and how you’ve shaped them. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. Remove from the oven and set aside on the baking sheets.
- Cook the Ground Meat: While the tortillas are baking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté Aromatics and Spices: Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the browned meat and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build the Flavor: Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) over the meat mixture. Stir well to combine and cook for 1 minute, allowing the spices to toast and release their aromas.
- Simmer the Filling: Pour in the salsa and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Assemble the Tostadas: Spoon a generous portion of the seasoned meat filling onto each baked tortilla shell.
- Add Your Favorite Toppings: Now for the fun part! Load up your Easy Baked Tostadas with your desired toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, jalapeños – the possibilities are endless!
- Serve Immediately: Serve your freshly assembled Easy Baked Tostadas right away while the shells are perfectly crisp.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Tostadas
You’ll absolutely adore these Easy Baked Tostadas for their incredibly satisfying crunch and the freedom to customize every bite. Unlike softer taco shells, these baked tortillas offer a delightful crispness that adds a wonderful texture to every mouthful, making each bite a delightful textural adventure. Beyond their deliciousness, the cost-saving benefit of making these at home is significant, allowing you to create a flavorful and hearty meal for a fraction of the price of dining out. Imagine a weeknight dinner that’s both budget-friendly and feels like a special treat!
Plus, the savory seasoned meat filling, combined with the fresh, vibrant toppings you choose, creates a symphony of flavors and colors that will have everyone coming back for seconds. It’s a wonderfully interactive meal that’s perfect for picky eaters or a fun family dinner. Don’t miss out on this simple yet sensational way to elevate your weeknight meals – give these Easy Baked Tostadas a try tonight! Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
- Meat Filling: Store any leftover seasoned meat filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Crispy Tortilla Shells: It’s best to store the baked tortilla shells separately from the filling. They tend to lose their crispness when stored with moisture. You can loosely cover them with plastic wrap or place them in a cupboard at room temperature. They are best enjoyed the day they are made for optimal crispness. If they do soften slightly, you can briefly reheat them in the oven or toaster oven to crisp them up again.
- Toppings: Store any leftover toppings in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Reheating:
- Meat Filling: Reheat the meat filling gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems too dry. Alternatively, you can microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
- Crispy Tortilla Shells (if softened): To revive softened baked tortilla shells, place them on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, just until crisp again.
- Assembled Tostadas: It’s generally not recommended to fully assemble and then reheat tostadas, as the shells will become soggy. It’s best to reheat the components separately and assemble fresh.
Freezing:
- The seasoned meat filling can be frozen for future use. Allow it to cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Baked tortilla shells are not ideal for freezing as they will likely become soggy upon thawing and reheating.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Baked Tostadas are a true game-changer for weeknight dinners, offering incredible flavor and satisfying crunch with minimal effort. Don’t hesitate to gather your loved ones and enjoy this delicious, customizable meal – it’s sure to become a family favorite!
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Easy Baked Tostadas
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.8 corn tortillas
- Take each corn tortilla and brush both sides lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Place the tortillas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. To get that perfect tostada shape, you have a couple of options: Crispy Flat or Slightly Cupped.8 corn tortillas, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the tortillas are becoming crispy. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. Remove from the oven and set aside on the baking sheets.
- While the tortillas are baking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.1 pound ground beef or turkey
- Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the browned meat and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.1/2 cup chopped yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) over the meat mixture. Stir well to combine and cook for 1 minute, allowing the spices to toast and release their aromas.1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Pour in the salsa and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded beautifully.1/2 cup salsa, 1/4 cup water
- Spoon a generous portion of the seasoned meat filling onto each baked tortilla shell.
- Load up your Easy Baked Tostadas with your desired toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, jalapeños – the possibilities are endless!Shredded lettuce, Diced tomatoes, Shredded cheddar cheese, Sour cream or Greek yogurt, Guacamole or sliced avocado, Chopped cilantro, Pickled jalapeños
- Serve your freshly assembled Easy Baked Tostadas right away while the shells are perfectly crisp.