I spent 5 years working as a server at a Mexican restaurant in our town. The kid’s menu was filled with things like corn dogs, mac and cheese, burgers, and chicken fingers. Then there was the taco meal and Mexican pizza. I always thought the name Mexican pizza was a complete misnomer and if any poor child ordered it for the first time they’d be sorely disappointed. It was a crispy corn tortilla topped with taco meat and melted cheese served with beans and rice. Not a very traditional pizza. 
This recipe is basically that “Mexican Pizza”. It’s a super easy and quick lunch or supper that kids love! My daughter inhales this when I make it. If I already have beans and tortillas cooked, it is done in under 10 minutes. Can’t beat that on a rushed day.
You can make this as easy or complicated as you’d like. Use canned or dehydrated refried beans or cook up your own. I like to cook up my own beans in bulk and freeze in meal size portions. Buy tostada shells or what I do is bake corn tortillas directly on the oven rack at 200 degrees until they are crispy. Serve simply topped with cheese or set out an array of toppings that everyone can add after the tostadas come out of the oven. Things such as: green onions, sliced olives, sour cream, homemade salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cilantro. My daughter loves hers with just the beans and cheese. I’m okay with that (plus, it’s less messy for her to eat)!
You really don’t even need a recipe for this, but I’ll share what I do. This would be a good meal to put the kids in charge of making. If your family likes meat, add some taco beef or chicken on top of the beans. If there are bean haters, just do the meat.
- Tostada Shells (purchased or make you own by baking at 200 until crispy)
- Refried Beans (and/or taco beef or chicken)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional Toppings:
- Guacamole, green onions, salsa, sour cream, cilantro, olives, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes etc
- Spread a layer of beans on top of the tostada shells.
- Sprinkle with meat if you are using.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven and cut each tostada into 4 wedges.
- Serve with optional toppings I desired.
I don’t know why I’ve never tried this with the kids. So easy! Does it make a difference in taste if you use the ready-made tostado shells?
I know it, it’s super easy it’s amazing. And I cook up and make the “refried” beans in bulk and keep them in the freezer so I can have it ready fast. You should be able to use the ready make tostada shells with out much difference. The first time I made them I was actually going to purchase them but when I read the ingredients I saw they added food coloring to them! Crazy. So I decided to just bake them and avoid the dyes and fats they used to try. Either way they’d be great though!
Now I want beans for lunch!!
Me too! I need to cook up another batch so I have some on hand. This rainy, cool day would have been perfect for them.
I make tostadas pretty much like you do. I go to a local ethnic grocery that has great inexpensive corn tortillas and use them to bake for the shells. And when I cook beans I make a big batch and freeze any leftovers. Now I’m hungry for a tostada!
Ooo! I love that you get authentic tortillas. Mine are just the ones from the regular store. I bet those ones are amazing! That’s exactly what I do with with my beans. Might as well do a huge batch of beans if I’m cooking them anyway.
I will have to try this! I think my hubby would actually love this!
Come by and share on my linkup today!
http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com
Thanks! It’s super easy and my husband likes it too. He’s not even a huge bean fan. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing Bean Tostadas with Foodie Friends Friday party this weekend. We look forward to seeing you again with another delicious recipe. I’ve pinned & shared.
A Foodie Friends Friday co-host,
Joanne/WineLady Cooks
Thank you so much for pinning, sharing, and hosting!
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Ah, another great recipe, thanks for sharing it at the #WWDParty!
Thanks! Love that it is so easy and can be dressed up! Thanks for hosting.
What a GREAT idea!!! So simple, nutritious and economical. Thanks for sharing. I featured this on my fb page. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
You are super sweet! I love how easy they are too. They’ve been Kenna’s lunch for the week and she loves them. Thanks for sharing!
Monday night is Mexican night at our house – these tostadas will be perfect thing! thanks for sharing – featuring your post on tomorrow’s Hearts for Home Blog Hop 🙂
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Hi Deanna – I love recipes you can customize for all of the different types of “eaters” in the family. Thanks so much for sharing with the Let’s Get Real party.
Me too! They can just leave off what they don’t like. Thanks for hosting.
This is very similar to one of our favorite go-to quick meals! Thanks for sharing it at Simple Lives Thursday! 🙂
Thanks for hosting! Love go-to quick meals!
Looks extremely tasty & super easy/quick. Featuring your post as my pick for the Hearts for Home Blog Hop. Double thanks for linking up!
It is exactly that! Love tasty and quick. Thanks so much for the feature and for hosting.
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