Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly crispy, golden-brown tortilla, revealing savory, seasoned ground beef and an irresistible river of gooey, melted cheese. This recipe delivers that incredible experience with minimal effort, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave something fast, fun, and flavorful. These cheesy ground beef quesadillas are a guaranteed family favorite, easily customized and ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
For the Ground Beef Filling:
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- 1/2 small Onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 Bell Pepper, (any color), finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/4 cup Water
For Assembly:
- 4 large Flour Tortillas, (10-inch)
- 3 cups Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend, (or a mix of Cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- 2 tbsp Butter, for cooking
- Sour Cream, Salsa, or Guacamole, for serving
Instructions:
- Cook the Beef and Veggies: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s browned. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes until they soften.
- Season the Filling: Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and stir to coat the beef. Pour in the water and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid has mostly absorbed. Remove from heat.
- Prepare for Assembly: Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Melt about 1/2 tablespoon of butter in the pan.
- Assemble the Quesadilla: Place one tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle about 1/4 of the shredded cheese evenly over the entire tortilla. Spoon 1/4 of the ground beef mixture over one half of the tortilla.
- Fold and Cook: Using a spatula, carefully fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling. Press down gently and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the bottom is golden brown and crispy.
- Flip and Finish: Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and gooey.
- Repeat: Transfer the finished quesadilla to a cutting board. Repeat the process with the remaining butter, tortillas, cheese, and filling.
- Serve: Let the quesadillas rest for a minute before slicing each one into wedges. Serve immediately with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole for dipping.
Recipe Notes:
- Best Cheese for Melting: For the ultimate cheese pull, shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting as smoothly.
- Don’t Overstuff: It’s tempting to pack your quesadilla full, but overfilling will make it difficult to flip and can cause the filling to spill out. A thin, even layer is best.
- Manage Your Heat: Keep the skillet on medium heat. If it’s too high, the tortilla will burn before the cheese has a chance to fully melt.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The ground beef filling can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. This makes assembly on a busy night take less than 10 minutes!
- Fun Add-Ins: Feel free to add a spoonful of drained black beans, corn, or canned green chiles to the beef mixture for extra flavor and texture.
There you have it—a super easy, incredibly cheesy, and satisfying ground beef quesadilla that’s ready in under 30 minutes! Perfect for a fun and fast dinner, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite for its big flavors and simple preparation. We hope you enjoy every delicious bite! Happy cooking!
Estimated Nutritional Information (per quesadilla)
Calories: 750; Fat: 48g; Carbohydrates: 41g (Fiber: 4g, Sugars: 4g); Protein: 40g
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is estimated and can vary depending on specific ingredients, brands, and serving sizes used. This information is provided for guidance only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or nutritional advice.
