Description
Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas are crispy flour tortillas filled with seasoned ground beef, plenty of melted cheese, and flavorful Mexican-inspired spices. These quick and satisfying quesadillas are perfect for lunch, dinner, game day, or an easy family meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend or cheddar-Monterey Jack mix
- 8 large flour tortillas
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened (for cooking)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Sour cream, salsa, and guacamole for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart until browned.
- Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the taco seasoning, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and tomato sauce. Stir well and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Lightly butter one side of each tortilla.
- Place one tortilla butter-side down in the skillet.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese over half of the tortilla, add the seasoned beef mixture, then top with another 1/4 cup of cheese.
- Fold the tortilla in half and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Slice into wedges, garnish with cilantro if desired, and serve with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
Notes
- Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Add sautéed peppers, jalapeños, corn, or black beans for extra flavor.
- Cook over medium heat to achieve a crispy tortilla without burning.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for the beef.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in a skillet for the crispiest results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Mexican-American