Description
These Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas are a delicious and easy-to-make meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Packed with seasoned ground beef, a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and folded inside warm flour tortillas, they offer a crispy, gooey bite everyone will love. The quesadillas are cooked on the stovetop until golden and crispy, making them a comforting and satisfying dish ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef 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
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce (or salsa)
For Assembly
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 6 large flour tortillas
- Butter or oil for cooking
Instructions
- Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess fat if needed to keep the quesadillas from becoming greasy.
- Sauté aromatics and season: Stir in the finely chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 additional minute, stirring constantly. Then, mix in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and tomato sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes so the flavors meld together, then remove from heat.
- Assemble quesadillas: Lay out each tortilla on a flat surface. Sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over half of each tortilla. Spoon a generous amount of the beef mixture over the cheese, then top with additional cheese. Fold the tortillas in half over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
- Cook until golden and crispy: Heat a clean skillet over medium heat and lightly coat it with butter or oil. Place one quesadilla at a time into the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Flip carefully to brown both sides evenly until the tortillas are golden and crispy and the cheese inside is melted.
- Serve: Remove the cooked quesadilla from the skillet and let it cool for a minute before slicing into wedges. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute tomato sauce with your favorite salsa for a more robust flavor.
- Use low-fat cheese or lean ground beef to reduce fat content.
- Adding fresh jalapeños or hot sauce can spice things up.
- To keep quesadillas warm while cooking others, place them in a low oven (about 200°F/95°C).
- Leftover quesadillas can be reheated in a skillet or air fryer to retain crispiness.
