Description
These Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas are a quick and delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring seasoned ground beef, melty cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, and a hint of smoky spices, these quesadillas are crispy on the outside and packed with savory, cheesy goodness inside. Ready in just 30 minutes, they make a satisfying dish that’s easy to assemble and cook on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- ½ teaspoon olive oil (or other cooking oil)
- ¼ onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef (90/10 lean or 80/20)
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 cup frozen corn
Quesadilla Assembly
- 8-inch flour tortillas
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Brown Beef and Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté until softened and lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
- Make Filling: Reduce heat to low. Add taco seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, tomato paste, salsa, and frozen corn to the skillet with the beef. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed and the corn is heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Assemble Quesadillas: Place a flour tortilla on a cutting board. Sprinkle with a portion of shredded cheese, top with the beef mixture, and add more cheese on top. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Cook Quesadillas: Heat a clean skillet over medium-high heat and lightly grease it with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. Place the folded quesadilla in the skillet and cook until the tortilla is golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side, and the cheese inside is melted.
- Serve: Remove the quesadillas from the skillet. Slice each in half and serve hot with your favorite sides or toppings such as sour cream or guacamole.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef for a leaner option.
- To make it spicier, add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Use low-fat cheese to reduce calories and fat content.
- Cook quesadillas in batches if your skillet is small to ensure even cooking.
- Leftover quesadillas can be refrigerated and reheated in a skillet or microwave.
