Description
Sizzling beef quesadillas bring Mexican street flavors straight to your kitchen, packed with spicy ground beef and melted cheese. Crispy tortillas and zesty salsa make this quick meal a delicious adventure you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (80-85% lean)
- 8 large flour tortillas (about 8–10 inches in diameter)
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) shredded cheese
Beef Filling Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) water
- 1 small bell pepper, finely diced
Cooking and Garnish Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter or olive oil
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Diced tomatoes
- Diced avocado
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, then thoroughly drain excess fat to remove grease.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over beef and pour water, mixing until the mixture thickens and becomes evenly coated, about 3-4 minutes.
- Warm a separate skillet on medium heat, lightly coating the surface with olive oil or butter to prevent sticking.
- Position a tortilla in the heated skillet, spreading cheese evenly across half the surface.
- Layer seasoned beef on top of the cheese, creating a uniform filling.
- Carefully fold the tortilla in half, creating a half-moon shape.
- Cook the quesadilla for 2-3 minutes on each side, ensuring a crispy golden-brown exterior and fully melted cheese.
- Repeat the process with remaining tortillas and beef mixture.
- Cut the quesadillas into triangular wedges using a sharp knife.
- Serve immediately alongside traditional accompaniments like sour cream, fresh guacamole, and zesty salsa.
Notes
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of taco seasoning or adding chili flakes for extra heat.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and create a healthier version of the quesadilla.
- For a vegetarian alternative, replace beef with black beans, diced bell peppers, or plant-based meat substitute.
- Try different cheese combinations like pepper jack, cheddar, or Mexican blend for varied flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 366 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg