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Ground Beef Quesadillas Recipe

5 from 212 reviews

This Ground Beef Quesadillas recipe combines seasoned lean ground beef with melted cheddar or Colby Jack cheese inside crispy, golden tortillas. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal, these quesadillas are cooked on the stovetop until the cheese is gooey and the tortilla is perfectly crisp. They make for a great lunch, dinner, or snack option that’s easy to customize.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Mixture

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Quesadillas

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
  • 4 large tortillas (burrito sized)
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  1. Cook the Beef and Onion: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and finely diced onion to the skillet. Stir frequently, breaking apart the meat as you go. Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease or moisture from the skillet, then return the beef mixture to the pan.
  2. Season the Meat: Add the chili powder, dried oregano, salt, garlic powder, and cumin to the meat. Stir well to combine, then let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the spices to infuse into the beef. Remove the skillet from heat and set the meat mixture aside.
  3. Prepare to Assemble Quesadillas: Reduce the heat on the skillet to medium-low. Melt about 1/2 tablespoon of butter in the skillet to prevent sticking and add flavor.
  4. Assemble and Cook the Quesadilla: Lay one burrito-sized tortilla flat in the skillet. Evenly sprinkle about 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the entire tortilla surface. Then add a portion of the seasoned beef mixture evenly over half of the tortilla.
  5. Melt Cheese and Crisp Tortilla: Cook the quesadilla until the cheese starts to melt and the underside of the tortilla turns golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes. Carefully fold the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape. If the outside isn’t browned and crispy yet, continue cooking until it is lightly browned on one side, then flip and cook the other side until golden and crispy.
  6. Repeat for Remaining Quesadillas: Repeat the assembly and cooking process with the remaining tortillas, cheese, and meat until you have made 4 large quesadillas in total.
  7. Serve: Once all quesadillas are cooked, use a knife or pizza cutter to cut each quesadilla into thirds, creating three triangular pieces. Serve immediately while warm and cheesy.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef for a leaner option.
  • Adjust the spice levels by adding more or less chili powder and cumin according to taste.
  • Use flour tortillas as they hold up best when cooking; corn tortillas tend to break more easily.
  • For extra crispness, consider brushing the outside of the tortillas lightly with additional melted butter before cooking.
  • Serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for added flavor.

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