Easy Ground Beef and Black Bean Tostadas

I love finding recipes that are both incredibly satisfying and surprisingly simple, and these ground beef and black bean tostadas are definitely one of them. They come together so quickly, making them my go-to for a busy weeknight when I'm craving something hearty and flavorful. You don't need to be an expert cook to whip these up; the steps are straightforward and the ingredients are common pantry staples.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup water or beef broth
• 8 corn tostada shells
• Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
3. Stir in the rinsed and drained black beans and the water or beef broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. While the beef and bean mixture simmers, prepare your desired toppings.
5. To assemble the tostadas, spread a generous portion of the ground beef and black bean mixture onto each tostada shell.
6. Top with your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, salsa, and avocado. Serve immediately.