Stacked Tostadas: A Fun, Flavorful Crowd Pleaser

At Downes Media, we’re always looking for ways to bring people together around food—because food isn’t just about eating, it’s about sharing, laughing, and making memories. This week, I had a blast creating one of my favorite dishes, Stacked Tostadas, with our talented Food Stylist, Michael McMurtrey, and Photographer, Aubrie McGuffey.

We styled and shot this recipe for our friends at Ingles Markets, and I have to say, it was such a joy. Ingles makes it easy to pull a recipe like this together, with fresh produce, quality meats, and a wide selection of pantry staples—all at affordable prices. With stores across multiple states in the Southeastern United States, Ingles truly feels like a hometown grocery store no matter where you are, and we love working with them to showcase just how creative you can get in the kitchen.

Michael worked his magic layering each tostada shell with perfectly seasoned ground turkey, bright Roma tomatoes, crisp red onions, creamy avocado, Cotija cheese, and just the right drizzle of hot sauce. The colors popped, the textures came alive, and I knew Aubrie would have plenty to capture through her lens. Sure enough, she nailed it—every crunchy detail and every splash of sauce jumped off the plate in her photos.

But beyond the camera, this recipe is just plain fun to make and even more fun to eat. There’s something about stacking tostadas that makes them instantly playful. Each layer adds a little more crunch, a little more flavor, and a lot more excitement.

What I love most about these Stacked Tostadas is how versatile they are for gatherings. Hosting a party? Set up a “tostada bar” with toppings laid out so guests can build their own stacks just the way they like them. Want an easy weeknight dinner with the family? Get the kids involved—they’ll love piling on the toppings and creating their own mini towers. It’s messy, it’s interactive, and it’s guaranteed to spark smiles around the table.

At the end of the day, this recipe is more than just a cost-conscious meal—it’s an experience. With Ingles providing everything you need, from fresh limes to Cotija cheese, you can make this dish with ease and confidence. For us at Downes Media, it’s a joy to capture the spirit of recipes like this and the people who make them happen.

Stacked Tostadas

Servings: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 crunchy tostada shells

• 1 lb ground turkey (or beef if you prefer)

• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper)

• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced

• ½ red onion, diced

• 1 jalapeño, finely diced (optional, for heat)

• 1 avocado, diced

• ½ cup Cotija cheese, crumbled

• Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

• Hot sauce, to taste

• 1 lime, cut into wedges
  

Instructions

1. Cook the Turkey

   • In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground turkey until browned, about 7–8 minutes.

   • Drain excess fat, then stir in taco seasoning with 2–3 tablespoons of water. Let simmer until well coated and slightly saucy.

2. Prepare Toppings

   • Dice the Roma tomatoes, red onion, and avocado.

   • Slice the jalapeño (remove seeds for less heat).

   • Crumble Cotija cheese and set aside with cilantro.

3. Assemble the Stacked Tostadas

   • Place one tostada shell on a plate. Spread a layer of seasoned turkey, followed by tomatoes, onions, avocado, Cotija cheese, and a drizzle of hot sauce.

   • Stack a second tostada on top and repeat with another layer of turkey, toppings, and hot sauce.

   • Garnish with fresh cilantro.

4. Serve

   • Add a lime wedge on the side for squeezing over the top before eating.

   • Serve immediately while the tostadas are still crunchy.