Cheesy Beef Quesadillas (Printable View)
Savory beef and melty cheese folded in crisp, golden tortillas for a delicious Tex-Mex favorite.
# Ingredient List:
→ Filling
01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 pound ground beef
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 cup tomato sauce
→ Quesadillas
11 - 8 medium flour tortillas
12 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter for cooking
→ For Serving (optional)
15 - Sour cream
16 - Salsa
17 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion for 2 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper and cook for 1 minute to toast spices.
05 - Add tomato sauce, mix well, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
06 - Wipe out skillet and return to medium heat.
07 - Place one tortilla on a plate, sprinkle with a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, spoon about one quarter of the beef mixture over half the tortilla, top with more cheese, then fold tortilla in half.
08 - Melt some butter in the skillet, then cook the folded tortilla for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted.
09 - Repeat assembly and cooking with remaining tortillas and filling.
10 - Cut quesadillas into wedges and serve hot with optional sour cream, salsa, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The perfect balance of savory beef and gooey cheese tucked into a crisp tortilla feels like a little secret worth sharing
- It’s quick to make and always impresses unexpected guests without any fuss
02 -
- Don’t rush browning the beef—letting it brown properly adds depth you can’t fake
- Using a mix of cheeses is the game changer that makes the filling irresistibly melty and flavorful
03 -
- Use medium heat to cook quesadillas to ensure cheese melts fully without burning the tortilla
- Let the beef filling cool slightly before assembling to prevent soggy tortillas