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Home ≫ Main Dish

Vegetarian Tostadas

By Nikole Berg Jun 20, 2020 · Updated: Apr 22, 2025

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close up fo tostada with sour cream drizzled over top

You'll love these Mexican inspired Vegetarian Tostadas! This version is easy to make and is great weeknight recipe idea when you need dinner fast! Made with refried and black beans, this dish is kid and family friendly!

toastadas on white plates with white background

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Why You'll love it

It's quick and easy! This is one of the easiest recipes on the blog. This quick meal comes together in about 20 minutes from start to finish. It's perfect on those busy weeknights when you just don't have the energy to cook a complicated meal, but you want something tasty that the whole family will enjoy. It's often requested at my house!

It's made with easy to find fresh and pantry ingredients! Whether you make homemade refried beans or buy the canned stuff, you won't have any trouble finding these readily available items. Pre- made tostada shells are usually kept in the tortilla section of the store. I have also seen them in the "Mexican/Hispanic Foods" or "Global Foods" isle, depending on the store.

It's got great Mexican inspired flavor that's customizable! This recipe is loaded with beans and cheese, but you can choose whatever topping you like. I love fresh jalepeño, but you may like pickled instead. Choose guacamole or sliced avocado-it's up to you. I like to set several toppings out and let everyone "build" their tostada their way.

It's the perfect vegetarian option to add to your meatless dinner rotation. We've all heard how healthy it is to have mealtless meals as often as possible. These Vegetarian Tostadas are a great choice because the beans are a nice way to add some plant based protein to your diet. If you want to know more about the health benefits of beans, check out this info from the American Heart Association.

Ingredients

overhead shot of recipe ingredients like beans and guacamole

Step by Step Instructions

Gather your ingredients. Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and set to broil. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy clean up.

Add 2 tablespoons of Easy Taco Seasoning (or store bought) to the refried beans. Mix until well combined.

bowl of refried beans and taco seasoning

Spread about 3 tablespoons of refried beans on each tostada shell. Top the beans with ¼ cup black beans.

2 photo collage of refried and black beans on top of tostadas

Top the black beans with ¼ cup shredded cheese. Broil for about 3 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Keep a close eye on the tostadas to be sure they don't burn!

2 photo collage of adding cheese to tostadas before and after baking

Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, this Taco Sauce, this Blender Salsa, or this Easy Homemade Mexican Guacamole! 

tostada with cutting board in background

Expert Tips

This recipe is practically foolproof! Just keep a careful eye on the tostadas as they bake so they don't burn.

You can use the microwave to melt the cheese instead of the broiler. I loosely cover the tostado with plastic wrap to keep the beans and cheese from splattering.

Step out of your comfort zone and try a Mexican cheese instead of cheddar! Asadero and Oaxaca are great white melting cheeses. There's also Cotija and Queso Fresco, which are semi-soft and crumbly. Queso Fresco is usually milder than Cotija. You can bake the tostadas with or without the cheese. Just note that the Cotija and Queso Fresco won't melt, but it will soften.

To make a quick Mexican Creama: mix about ½ cup of sour cream with the juice of ½ to 1 lime. Stir well then drizzle over tostadas!

Vegetarian Tostadas are best served immediately. Note that the shell will get a bit soggy if left standing too long.

Why not add these Vegetarian Tostadas to your Taco Tuesday dinner plans?

close up of tostada with guacamole in the background

More Easy Recipes

Mexican Pasta Salad

Beef Burritos

Instant Pot Mexican Beans

Instant Pot Mexican Rice

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one vegetarian tostada on a white plate with guacamole and sliced jalepenos

Vegetarian Tostadas

Recipe by Nikole Berg
You'll love these Mexican inspired Vegetarian Tostadas! This version is easy to make and is great weeknight recipe idea when you need dinner fast! Made with refried and black beans, this dish is kid and family friendly!
4.75 from 12 votes
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Prep Time 12 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican/Tex-Mex
Servings 6 tostadas
Calories 304 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 tostada shells
  • 15 oz can vegetarian refried beans or homemade
  • 2 tablespoon Easy Taco Seasoning or store bought
  • 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1.5 cups cheddar cheese use more if desired

Various Toppings

  • sliced avocado
  • guacamole
  • salsa or pico de gallo
  • sour cream or Mexican Crema
  • jalepeños fresh or pickled
  • sliced black olives
  • Queso Fresco

Instructions
 

  • Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place a rack in upper third of oven. Pre-heat oven to broil
  • Add Easy Taco Seasoning to refried beans. Stir to combine.
  • Add 3 tablespoon of bean mixture to the top of each tostada shell.
  • Add ¼ cup of black beans over the refried beans.
  • Add ¼ cup of cheese over the black beans.
  • Broil for 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and tostadas are lightly toasted. Just keep watch so they don't burn!
  • Top with garnished or your choice!

Notes

This recipe is practically foolproof! Just keep a careful eye on the tostadas as they bake so they don't burn.
You can use the microwave to melt the cheese instead of the broiler. I loosely cover the tostado with plastic wrap to keep the beans and cheese from splattering.
Step out of your comfort zone and try a Mexican cheese instead of cheddar! Asadero and Oaxaca are great white melting cheeses. There's also Cotija and Queso Fresco, which are semi-soft and crumbly. Queso Fresco is usually milder than Cotija. You can bake the tostadas with or without the cheese. Just note that the Cotija and Queso Fresco won't melt, but it will soften.
To make a quick Mexican Creama: mix about ½ cup of sour cream with the juice of ½ to 1 lime. Stir well then drizzle over tostadas!
Vegetarian Tostadas are best served immediately. Note that the shell will get a bit soggy if left standing too long.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 15gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 964mgPotassium: 285mgFiber: 9gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 342IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 264mgIron: 2mg
Keyword 20 minute meal, game day snacks, Tex-Mex Recipes
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About Nikole Berg

Nikole is the creator and photographer behind The Travel Palate, a food and travel blog featuring quick and flavorful recipes and getaway guides. Nikole hopes to inspire your inner foodie whether you're in the kitchen or traveling on your next adventure.

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