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Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas 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.

Ingredients

Scale

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