Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
There’s a certain satisfaction about a warm, crispy tortilla filled with seasoned beef and melted cheese. These Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas have you covered for an easy, flavorful meal that serves as well for a speedy snack or dinner as it does game-day appetizers. They’re a win on busy evenings, and the best part? They’re customizable for every palate.
Whether your family prefers classic recipes or adventurous flavor profiles, these quesadillas are sure to delight. Read on for the complete recipe, plus expert tips, serving suggestions, and answers to your most-asked questions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why these quesadillas will soon be in your rotation at home:
- Very Simple: They’ll be done in less than half an hour!
- Family-Friendly: appropriate for your kids (and you). Everyone’s happy!
- Customizable: Customize with vegetables, swap in a different cheese or turn up the heat with spices.
- Minimal Ingredients: Composed of things you probably already have on hand.
- Perfect for When You Don’t Want to Waste a Thing: Makes a great main dish, snack, or party food
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend cheese)
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for cooking)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: Sour cream, guacamole, salsa, chopped cilantro
Helpful Tip
Grate your cheese rather than buying pre-grated types for a smoother melt. Pre-grated cheese usually has anti-caking agents that can change the texture.
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef
- Heat the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. As it cooks, break it apart with a spatula.
- When the beef starts to brown, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 5–7 minutes more or until the beef is cooked through and the onions are softened.
- Drain off any excess fat, and then season with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir to combine, remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Build the Quesadillas
- Place one tortilla flat on a clean surface. Put half of it on shredded cheese.
- Add a hefty scoop of the spiced beef on top of the cheese and add a bit more cheese.
- Fold in half and gently press to seal the tortilla. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
Step 3: Crisp the Quesadillas
- In a skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Place one folded quesadilla in the pan, and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Take out and repeat with remaining.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the quesadillas sliced into wedges alongside toppings of your choice — sour cream, guacamole, salsa. You’ll want to serve them warm for maximum cheesiness!
Serving Suggestions
Serve these quesadillas with a fresh salad, Mexican rice or tortilla soup to make a meal with substance. For a playful spin, serve with pineapple salsa for sweet-and-savory flair.
Notes
Tips for Perfect Quesadillas
- Don’t Overstuff: Fill with a moderate amount of filling so you can easily flip and cook evenly.
- Cook on Medium Heat: It’s important to avoid burning the tortillas before the cheese completely melts, so you can do that by cooking these on medium heat.
- Rest Before You Cut: Let the quesadilla rest a moment before you slice it, or else the cheese will ooze out too much.
Storage & Reheating
Got leftovers? No problem!
- Refrigerate: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: In a skillet to crisp or in the microwave for convenience (microwaving will reduce crispiness).
- Freezing Quesadillas: Assemble the quesadilla, and freeze uncooked. Cook straight from frozen, allowing more time if necessary.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~400
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fat: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Use Corn Tortillas?
Absolutely! Corn tortillas add a more authentic flavor but are more difficult to fold. To avoid splintering, warm them up a bit before using.
2. Can I Make These Spicy?
Definitely! Add some diced jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese or drizzle hot sauce inside with them for a kick of heat.
3. What Cheese Is Best for Quesadillas?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Mexican cheese blends are great because they melt and taste great, too.
4. Can I Prepare These in Advance?
Yes! Make the beef mixture in advance and refrigerate until ready to proceed. Assembled quesadillas can also be frozen and cooked to order when you’re ready.
5. What Can I Serve These With?
They go well with dips such as guacamole, salsa, sour cream or hot queso. For a more filling meal, serve over rice or beans.