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    Home » Recipes » Tacos, Burritos & Enchiladas

    Published: Sep 1, 2023 by Nisha · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Bean and Cheese Tostadas (baked, easy)

    Jump to Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Bean and Cheese Tostadas are topped with refried beans, spinach, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese, vegan avocado cream sauce, and taco sauce. These vegetarian tostadas are baked and make a quick and easy weeknight meal.

    Bean and cheese tostadas topped with an avocado cream sauce.

    ★★★★★
    "Must try recipe!! It was delicious!! Thank you Nisha for sharing it!!."
    - Neha Wani


    My husband is obsessed with tostadas... Mexican food in general. OBSESSED! He literally asks me to make him tostadas every single week and will even pick up the baked tostada shells from the grocery store on a weekly basis. 

    Elevate your weeknights with these easy, mouthwatering, and fully-loaded vegetarian tostadas. These tostadas are great for taco night and make a quick dinner. 

    More Delicious Tostada Recipes

    Check out my very popular Taco Bell Spicy Tostada! If you like chicken or turkey, then give my Chicken Tostadas or Spicy Baked Turkey Tostadas a try - both recipes are made with ground meat. Lastly, if you love Indian Fusion, then give these vegetarian Baked Aloo Chaat Tostadas a chance because they taste like a healthier Papdi Chaat.


    Table of Contents
    • What is a Tostada?
    • Ingredients
    • Why You Will Love Recipe
    • How to make Bean and Cheese Tostadas recipe?
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Tostada Recipes!
    • 📖 Recipe Card

    What is a Tostada?

    A tostada is a flat tortilla that is either baked or fried. It is usually made with corn and is essentially a flat taco.

    Tostadas are pretty versatile, in other words, you can top them with any kind of protein. I personally love a vegetarian option when it comes to tostadas.

    Once you add your protein, in this case, beans, I like adding veggies to my tostadas - lettuce or spinach for a healthier alternative, and pico de gallo. Then I like to top my tostada with some cheese and bake it off in the toaster oven.

    Drizzle some avocado cream sauce and taco sauce and indulge. They're so good!

    Bean and Cheese tostada  topped with avocado cream sauce and a bite taken.

    Ingredients

    For the Beans:

    Canned Refried Beans (canned): I love Trader Joe's Organic Refried Pinto Beans Salsa Style. Feel free to use refried black beans as well, but I prefer mine with pinto beans. Feel free to make homemade beans if you prefer.

    Onion: Preferably red onion, chopped.

    Taco Sauce: I love Taco Bell's Hot Sauce, also love Pico Pica Taco Sauce.

    Taco Seasoning: I love Trader Joe's Taco Seasoning and it's a bit spicy. They're all the same so any seasoning will work.

    Avocado Oil: Any flavorless oil works.

    For Pico de Gallo:

    Basics: Tomatoes, Red Onion, Jalapeno, Cilantro, Fresh Lime Juice,  and Salt.

    For Avocado Cream Sauce:

    Basics: Ripe Avocado, Olive Oil, Water, Garlic, Cilantro, Cumin Powder, Salt, and Jalapeno Pepper (for more spice you can use a Serrano Pepper).

    For Bean Tostadas: 

    Baked Tostada: I love Guerrero's Baked Tostadas.

    Fresh Spinach: Baby spinach that's chopped.

    Cheddar Cheese: You'll need shredded cheese. I love using sharp cheddar in this recipe.

    Taco Sauce: I love Taco Bell's hot sauce, but Pico Pica works amazing and tastes just like Taco Bell.


    Why You Will Love Recipe

    • Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal
    • Vegetarian Bean Tostadas
    • Mouthwatering & Delicious
    • BAKED
    • Versatile
    • Gluten-free

    How to make Bean and Cheese Tostadas recipe?

    Step 1 - Make the Refried Beans

    1. Heat up a pan on medium heat, once hot, add oil, followed by red onion. Add just a pinch of salt. Saute for 3 minutes. 

    2. Add refried pinto beans - I like Trader Joe's Organic Refried Pinto Beans Salsa Style. 

    3. Add taco sauce. 

    4. Now add taco seasoning and a little water. Mix well. 

    Saute onions and add canned refried beans.

    5. Cook for a minute. Your beans are ready. Set aside. 

    Refried Beans ready.

    Step 2 - Make the Pico de Gallo

    1. Add the tomatoes, red onions, and jalapenos to a mixing bowl.

    2. Now add fresh cilantro, juice of lime, and salt. Mix well. Set aside.

    Prepare pico de gallo with cilantro onions tomatoes in a bowl.

    Step 3 - Make the Vegan Avocado Cream Sauce

    1. Add all the ingredients of the avocado cream sauce to a mini food processor and blend.

    2. This is what you should have. Taste it and adjust salt, lime juice, and spice as needed.

    Add avocado cream sauce ingredients to a food processor and blend.

    Step 4 - Assemble

    1. Add warm refried beans all over a baked tostada (you may use fried as well).

    2. Top with chopped spinach.

    3. Top with pico de gallo.

    4. Now top with cheddar cheese.

    Spread beans on tostada, add spinach, pico de gallo, and cheese.

    5. Bake in a toaster oven at 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Keep a close eye to make sure the tostada doesn't burn.

    6. Drizzle avocado cream sauce on top and Taco Bell Hot Sauce (or any other taco sauce you like). Enjoy your crispy bean tostadas.

    Bake tostada and add avocado cream sauce.

    Expert Tips

    ✓ Make Ahead Option - The refried beans, pico de gallo, and avocado cream sauce can all be made ahead of time.

    ✓ Grate your sharp cheddar cheese and chop the fresh spinach.

    ✓ Bake in the toaster oven until the cheese has melted, but stay close because these tostadas bake fast.


    Recipe FAQs

    1. Can I make these bean tostadas vegan?

    Yes. Simply replace cheese with a non-dairy cheese that melts well.

    2. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

    This recipe is already gluten-free since corn tostada shells are gluten-free.

    3. What other vegetables can I add to these tostadas?

    Tostadas are a great way to use up leftover veggies. You can add sauteed zucchini, eggplant, or broccoli. Essentially, any veggie you have on hand, add it.

    4. Where can I find baked tostadas?

    So here in Southern California, I am able to find Guerrero's Baked Tostadas at Smart & Final, Ralph's, and Albertson's. I have found the fried version at Target, however not the baked one.

    If you're living on the East Coast, I would try looking for Guerrero's Baked Tostadas at your local grocery store - Shoprite, Acme, Wegman's, etc.

    5. How can I make crispy tostada shells at home?

    If you can't find store-bought baked tostadas, simply use a corn tortilla and brush both sides with oil. Bake it in the toaster oven at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
    Alternatively, you may use flour tortillas and do the exact same thing, they will crisp up beautifully. Note: If you use flour tortillas, this recipe is no longer gluten-free.

    6. What kinds of cheese can I use for this recipe?

    For this recipe, I used sharp cheddar, however you may use Mild/Medium Cheddar Cheese, Mexican Cheese Blend, Pepper Jack Cheese, or any cheese that melts well.

    7. What other toppings can I use over these tostadas?

    Other options for toppings - shredded lettuce, sour cream,  cotija cheese, and queso fresco would all be great.

    Vegetarian Tostadas with a side of avocado cream sauce and pico de gallo.

    More Tostada Recipes!

    • Taco Bell Spicy Tostada (baked)
    • Baked Aloo Chaat Tostadas (healthy, gluten-free, vegan option)
    • Spicy Baked Turkey Tostadas (gluten-free)
    • Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Tinga Tostadas

    📖 Recipe Card

    Bean and cheese tostadas topped with an avocado cream sauce.

    Bean and Cheese Tostadas

    5 from 3 votes
    By: Nisha
    Bean Tostada is a baked flat taco that's topped with refried beans, spinach, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese, avocado cream sauce, and taco sauce. It's the perfect quick weeknight meal.
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Total Time 42 minutes mins
    Servings 12 tostadas
    Calories 190 kcal
    SaveSaved! Pin Print

    Equipment

    • Food Processor 4-Cup
    • Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients
      

    for pico de gallo

    • 2 cups tomatoes, chopped
    • ¾ cup red onion, chopped
    • 1 jalapeno, with seeds
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
    • Juice of 1 lime
    • ⅓ teaspoon salt

    for beans

    • ½ tablespoon avocado oil
    • ½ cup red onions, chopped
    • pinch of salt
    • 15 ounce can organic refried pinto beans, I like Trader Joe's
    • ¼ cup taco sauce, I like Taco Bell's Hot Sauce
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 teaspoon taco seasoning, I liked Trader Joe's

    for avocado sauce

    • 1 avocado
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 6 tablespoon water
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • ½ cup cilantro
    • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 jalapeno, with seeds
    • Juice of ½ to 1 lime

    other condiments

    • 4 cups spinach, chopped
    • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded

    to assemble each tostada, you'll need

    • 1 baked tostadas, makes 12 tostadas total
    • ⅓ cup spinach, chopped
    • 2 spoonfuls of pico de gallo
    • 2-3 tablespoon cheddar cheese, shredded, add more if needed
    • bake in the toaster oven for 3-4 minutes at 400 degrees
    • drizzle of avocado cream sauce
    • drizzle of Taco Bell hot sauce

    Instructions
     

    Step 1 - Make the Refried Beans

    • Heat up a pan on medium heat, once hot, add oil, followed by red onion. Add just a pinch of salt. Saute for 3 minutes.
    • Add refried pinto beans - I like Trader Joe's Organic Refried Pinto Beans Salsa Style.
    • Add taco sauce.
    • Now add taco seasoning and a little water. Mix well.
    • Cook for a minute. Your beans are ready. Set aside.

    Step 2 - Make the Pico de Gallo

    • Add the tomatoes, red onions, and jalapenos to a mixing bowl.
    • Now add fresh cilantro, juice of lime, and salt. Mix well. Set aside.

    Step 3 - Make the Vegan Avocado Cream Sauce

    • Add all the ingredients of the avocado cream sauce to a mini food processor and blend.
    • This is what you should have. Taste it and adjust salt, lime juice, and spice as needed.

    Step 4 - Assemble

    • Add warm refried beans all over a baked tostada (you may use fried as well).
    • Top with chopped spinach.
    • Top with pico de gallo.
    • Now top with cheddar cheese.
    • Bake in a toaster oven at 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Keep a close eye to make sure the tostada doesn't burn.
    • Drizzle avocado cream sauce on top and Taco Bell Hot Sauce (or any other taco sauce you like). Enjoy your crispy bean tostadas.

    Video

    Notes

    • Vegan option - use a non-dairy cheese.
    • Make Ahead Option - The refried beans, pico de gallo, and avocado cream sauce can all be made ahead of time.
    • Grate your sharp cheddar cheese and chop the fresh spinach.
    • Bake in the toaster oven until the cheese has melted, but stay close because these tostadas bake fast.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 7gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 603mgPotassium: 309mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1562IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 146mgIron: 1mg
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mexican
    Tried this recipe?Mention @honeywhatscooking or tag #honeywhatscooking!
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Seema Raniga says

      June 21, 2022 at 2:32 pm

      Looks amazing, always looking for vegan options! Thank you so much, I have some mexican Daiya cheese shreds I can use on top!!!!

      Reply
      • honeywhatscooking says

        June 23, 2022 at 3:20 pm

        So glad to hear that Seema. Hope you enjoy it. Do let me know! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Reshma says

      March 05, 2022 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious 😋

      Reply
    3. Neha wani says

      February 24, 2022 at 10:30 am

      5 stars
      Must try recipe!! It was delicious!! Thank you Nisha for sharing it!!

      Reply

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    Nisha Side Image

    Hi, I'm Nisha! I'm a foodie who is passionate about healthy-ish living and mindful eating. You'll find a little bit of everything here. I use mostly organic real ingredients and incorporate seasonal produce in my cooking. I believe food is medicine. Come join me on this soul-searching journey as I share my love for good food, and I hope somewhere along the way, I inspire you to eat better.

    More about me →


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