Description
Quick, crispy, and overflowing with cheesy goodness, this Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas Recipe is a must-try for any meal! Ideal for busy weeknights or game-day snacks, these quesadillas are packed with savory ground beef and melty cheese, making them a family favorite. The blend of spices enhances the Tex-Mex flavor profile, while the easy preparation ensures you can whip them up in no time. Perfect as a main dish or as appetizers at gatherings, they also allow for customization with your favorite veggies or cheese varieties. Serve with zesty salsa or creamy guacamole for an unforgettable dining experience.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce (or salsa)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 6 large flour tortillas
- Butter or oil for frying
- Sour cream, salsa, or guacamole (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Mix in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and tomato sauce; simmer for 3–4 minutes.
- Lay out tortillas on a clean surface. Sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on one half of each tortilla, spoon beef mixture over the cheese, then top with more cheese. Fold tortillas in half to seal.
- Heat a clean skillet over medium heat and lightly butter or oil the pan. Cook each quesadilla for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
- Allow to cool slightly before slicing into wedges.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla (150g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: For extra cheesiness, use a combination of different cheeses. Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to the beef mixture. Serve with sour cream or guacamole for added flavor.