Description
Irresistible cheesy ground beef quesadillas bring Mexican-inspired comfort straight to your kitchen. Crispy tortillas packed with seasoned beef and melted cheese create a quick, satisfying meal for hungry families and casual gatherings. You’ll love this simple yet delicious dinner solution.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup salsa or tomato sauce (optional)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
Wrapping and Cooking:
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Butter or oil for frying
Instructions
- Sauté ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, then incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Enhance the meat mixture by sprinkling cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Optional: stir in salsa or tomato sauce and allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes, creating a rich, flavorful base. Remove from heat and fold in fresh chopped cilantro.
- Prepare a clean skillet over medium heat, then carefully position a tortilla in the pan. Distribute shredded cheese on one half of the tortilla, creating a generous layer.
- Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the cheese, then top with an additional layer of cheese to ensure maximum meltiness.
- Gently fold the tortilla in half, creating a half-moon shape, and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the exterior turns golden brown and crispy, and the cheese completely melts.
- Repeat the process with remaining tortillas, creating multiple quesadillas.
- Slice each quesadilla into wedges and serve immediately, accompanied by optional garnishes like fresh salsa, creamy guacamole, or cooling sour cream.
Notes
- Select lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more flavorful filling.
- Drain excess fat after browning meat to prevent soggy quesadillas and maintain a crisp texture.
- Try different cheese blends like pepper jack or queso fresco for unique flavor profiles.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and adding hot sauce or jalapeños for extra kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg