Description
These Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas are a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-American main course, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Featuring seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, all wrapped in crispy, golden flour tortillas, these quesadillas offer a comforting combination of flavors and textures that kids and adults alike will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ cup tomato sauce or salsa
Quesadillas
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 6 large flour tortillas
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped cilantro
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, and tomato sauce or salsa. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly, then remove from heat.
- Cook the Quesadillas: Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with cooking spray or butter. Place one tortilla on the skillet and sprinkle half of it with a generous layer of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Spoon some of the prepared beef mixture over the cheese, then add a little more cheese on top. Fold the tortilla in half to cover the filling.
- Brown and Melt: Cook the folded quesadilla for 2–3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy and the cheese inside is melted. Carefully flip using a spatula to avoid spilling the filling. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and beef filling.
- Serve: Slice the cooked quesadillas into wedges and serve warm, garnished with chopped cilantro and sour cream or your favorite dipping sauce if desired.
Notes
- Add black beans, corn, or diced bell peppers to the beef mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- For a spicier option, include diced jalapeños or use a spicy salsa instead of mild tomato sauce.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas as alternatives to suit dietary needs.
- Leftover quesadillas can be reheated in a skillet or oven to retain crispness.