Description
Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas are the ultimate comfort food, combining savory seasoned ground beef, gooey melted cheese, and warm, crispy tortillas. This easy and delicious dish is perfect for busy weeknights, casual get-togethers, or even as a satisfying snack. With a flavorful beef filling and a crisp, golden exterior, these quesadillas offer the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Serve them with your favorite dips like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole, and you’re guaranteed a crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean is ideal)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 flour tortillas (8-inch)
- 1 tablespoon butter (for cooking)
- Optional: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce for serving
Ingredient Highlights
- Ground Beef: Ground beef provides a hearty, savory base for the quesadillas and pairs wonderfully with the spices and cheese.
- Cheese: A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese gives these quesadillas the perfect blend of sharpness and creaminess.
- Spices: The cumin, chili powder, and paprika add a touch of warmth and depth to the ground beef, making the filling flavorful and satisfying.
- Flour Tortillas: Soft flour tortillas create a flexible and easy-to-fold base for the quesadillas, becoming golden and crispy when cooked.
Instructions
Prepare the Ground Beef Filling:
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the Onion and Garlic: Stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Season the Beef: Sprinkle in the cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the beef in the spices. Cook for 1-2 more minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Remove from heat and set aside.
Assemble and Cook the Quesadillas:
- Prepare the Tortillas: Lay out the flour tortillas on a flat surface. Divide the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly between each tortilla, spreading it out evenly.
- Add the Beef Filling: Spoon the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly on top of the cheese on each tortilla.
- Fold the Tortillas: Fold each tortilla in half to create a half-moon shape, pressing down lightly to secure the filling inside.
- Cook the Quesadillas: In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Place the folded quesadillas in the skillet, cooking 2 at a time, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until the tortillas are golden brown and the cheese has melted inside.
- Flip Carefully: Use a spatula to flip the quesadillas carefully. Once both sides are crispy and golden, remove the quesadilla from the skillet and place it on a cutting board. Repeat with the remaining quesadillas.
Serve:
- Slice and Serve: Slice the quesadillas into thirds or quarters and serve hot with your choice of sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 300-350 kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 20g