Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas Recipe

Introduction

Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas are a quick and satisfying meal perfect for any day of the week. Packed with flavorful seasoned beef and melted cheese, these quesadillas are easy to make and great for sharing.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 6 large flour tortillas
• Butter or oil for frying
• Sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Step 3: Season the beef with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the tomato sauce or salsa, and cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine. Remove from heat.
4. Step 4: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly butter or oil one side of a tortilla. Place the tortilla butter-side-down onto the skillet.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over half of the tortilla. Spoon some of the seasoned ground beef on top of the cheese, then add a little more cheese over the beef to help it stick together.
6. Step 6: Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling and press gently with a spatula. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt.
7. Step 7: Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes until golden and the cheese is fully melted.
8. Step 8: Remove from the skillet and let it rest for a minute. Cut into wedges and serve warm with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
• Use whole wheat or corn tortillas for a different texture and taste.
• Vegetarian option: Substitute ground beef with sautéed mushrooms and black beans.
• To keep quesadillas crispy, cook them on medium heat and avoid overfilling.

Storage

Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to maintain crispiness or use a microwave for convenience, though they may become softer.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these quesadillas ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the beef filling in advance and refrigerate it. Assemble and cook the quesadillas fresh when ready to serve for the best texture and flavor.

What cheeses work best in quesadillas?

Cheddar and Monterey Jack are popular choices because they melt well and have mild flavor. However, you can also use mozzarella, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend depending on your preference.

Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 140 reviews

This Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas recipe is a delicious and hearty dish that combines seasoned ground beef with a blend of melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, all wrapped in warm, crispy flour tortillas. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying snack, these quesadillas offer bold flavors and a perfect cheesy pull with every bite.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 quesadillas 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Filling

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Assembly

• 6 large flour tortillas
• Butter or oil for frying

Serving (optional)

• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Guacamole

Instructions

1. Prepare the beef filling: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent and fragrant. Then add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
2. Season the beef: Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper over the cooked beef. Stir well to distribute the spices evenly. Add the tomato sauce or salsa and simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
3. Assemble the quesadillas: Lay a flour tortilla flat on a clean surface. Evenly spread a portion of the beef mixture over half of the tortilla. Sprinkle a generous mix of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the beef. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling.
4. Cook the quesadillas: In a clean skillet, heat a small amount of butter or oil over medium heat. Place the folded quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside is melted.
5. Serve and enjoy: Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and let it rest for a minute before cutting into wedges. Serve warm with optional sides like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.

Notes

• For a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
• Use corn tortillas instead of flour for a gluten-free alternative.
• Leftover cooked beef mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
• To keep quesadillas crisp when serving later, warm them briefly in a skillet or oven before serving.

Keywords: ground beef quesadillas, cheesy quesadillas, Mexican main dish, easy dinner recipe, skillet quesadillas