Beef Quesadillas with Salsa (Printable View)
Seasoned beef and melted cheese folded in tortillas, served with fresh tomato salsa and creamy avocado.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef Quesadillas
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→ Salsa
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→ Guacamole
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# How to Make It:
01 - Combine diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly and refrigerate until serving.
02 - Cut avocados in half, remove pits, and scoop flesh into a bowl. Mash with a fork until creamy but slightly chunky. Fold in diced tomato, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper. Cover surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent browning.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until translucent, approximately 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add ground beef, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned completely, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in diced red bell pepper, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until peppers have softened. Remove from heat and set aside.
05 - Lay out all eight tortillas on a clean work surface. Distribute half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over four tortillas. Divide the seasoned beef mixture among the cheese-topped tortillas. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the beef. Top with the remaining four tortillas to create sandwiches.
06 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place quesadillas one or two at a time (depending on pan size) and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until tortillas are golden brown and cheese is fully melted. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 1 minute before slicing into wedges.
07 - Arrange quesadilla wedges on serving plates. Serve immediately with fresh salsa and guacamole on the side for dipping.
# Expert Suggestions:
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- The beef filling gets better overnight, so youll have leftovers worth looking forward to
- Homemade salsa and guacamole transform something simple into restaurant quality
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- Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking quesadillas, work in batches if needed
- The tortillas will continue crisping slightly after removal, so don't wait for them to get rock hard in the pan
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- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded, it melts better
- Warm your tortillas in the microwave for 15 seconds before assembling, they fold without cracking