Description
Quick, crispy, and packed with melty goodness! These Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas are a cheesy, savory delight perfect for lunch, dinner, or game day snacks. Easy to whip up and full of bold Tex-Mex flavor, they’re a guaranteed family favorite
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
Cook the Beef:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.Add Flavor:
Stir in chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Mix in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and tomato sauce. Simmer for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.Assemble the Quesadillas:
Lay out tortillas and sprinkle a layer of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on one half of each tortilla. Spoon the beef mixture over the cheese, then top with more cheese. Fold tortillas in half to seal.Cook the Quesadillas:
Heat a clean skillet over medium heat. Lightly butter or oil the pan, then cook each quesadilla for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden and crispy. Flip carefully.Slice and Serve:
Let quesadillas cool for a minute, then slice into wedges. Serve with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole if desired.
Notes
- Add sautéed bell peppers, jalapeños, or corn for extra flavor and texture.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken as a lighter option.
- Great for freezing—just reheat in the oven or air fryer for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired