Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas Recipe
Learn how to make the best ground beef quesadillas with this easy recipe! Crispy on the outside with a savory, cheesy center, they’re the perfect family-friendly meal.
One bite of this ground beef quesadilla recipe, and you’ll never go back to restaurant versions again! Packed with bold, savory flavor, it’s easy to customize and perfect for picky eaters. Plus, it’s so easy that even kids can help make it!
If you’re looking for more easy, Tex-Mex meals, be sure to try my homemade Crunchwrap Supreme recipe and ground beef tacos, too.
Video Recipe 🎥
Watch the full video recipe to learn how to make the best cheesy ground beef quesadillas recipe. This step-by-step tutorial simplifies the process, offering tips and tricks to guarantee perfect results every time.
Prefer the written recipe? Scroll down to the recipe box 👇
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas Recipe
Who can resist a good quesadilla? It’s a crowd-pleasing comfort food! Here are a few reasons why these ground beef quesadillas will be your go-to recipe:
- ⏰Quick: With minimal prep time and a quick cooking time, this recipe comes together in just 30 minutes.
- 🎉Great for a Crowd: One batch makes up to 6 servings and can easily be doubled or tripled.
- 😍Versatile: Mix and match different fillings and toppings to suit your preferences.
- 🍽️Filling: Packed with protein, beef quesadillas can easily be a complete meal on their own.
- 👨🏻🍳Great for Meal Prep: Leftovers store and reheat well. So, you can prep several quesadillas at once for easy meals throughout the week.
Recipe Ingredients
- Flour Tortillas: Do not substitute corn tortillas!
- Onion: Use white or yellow onion.
- Garlic: Adds a sweet, savory taste. For the best results, use whole garlic cloves, not pre-minced varieties.
- Ground Beef: Look for lean ground beef (80% or leaner) to prevent the quesadillas from becoming soggy.
- Tomato Paste: Adds depth to the meat mixture.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, red chili flakes, cumin, paprika, and oregano create a savory, herbaceous flavor with a touch of heat.
- Cheese: Use cheddar cheese or any cheese you like best.
- Cilantro (Coriander): Adds a bright, refreshing taste.
- Oil: Creates a crispy exterior.
- Water: Combines the meat mixture. Beef stock will also work.
This is just a short review of the ingredients; for the complete recipe, including quantities, scroll down to the recipe card 👇
How to Make This Easy Beef Quesadilla Recipe
Here’s an overview of how to make homemade ground beef quesadillas:
- Sauté: Heat oil in a large skillet, and sauté the chopped onion until soft. Add the crushed garlic, and continue to sauté until fragrant.
- Brown the Meat: Add the beef, and cook, breaking it into pieces until it is no longer pink.
- Season: Stir in the tomato paste and seasonings. Then, add the water, and cook to combine and thicken.
- Fill: Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Next, brush one side of each tortilla with one teaspoon of oil. Sprinkle about two tablespoons of shredded cheese on one (ungreased) side of each tortilla. Then, sprinkle part of the seasoned ground beef mixture over the cheese followed by cilantro and more cheese.
- Cook: Fold the tortilla over, and place it greased side down in the hot pan. Cook on each side or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Be careful not to let it burn!
🌮 Leftover Tortillas
Have leftover tortillas? Store them to make more quesadillas later. Or, use them to make healthy wrap recipes and chicken wraps, and you’ll have meal prep done for the week!
Tips and Tricks
- Shred Your Own Cheese: For the best taste and texture, buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that impact their flavor and prevent them from melting.
- Avoid Overfilling: Make sure to leave room around the edges of the tortilla when adding the filling. Otherwise, it will ooze out and burn when you fold your quesadilla.
- Don’t Burn the Quesadillas: Keep a close eye on the pan, and flip the tortilla as soon as it’s golden brown.
- Add Different Fillings: Feel free to mix and match different ingredients, adding items like sautéed bell peppers and mushrooms or swapping the beef with ground chicken or turkey. You can even substitute the seasonings, and use a homemade taco seasoning instead.
What to Serve with Ground Beef Quesadillas
I love to serve my beef quesadillas with homemade guacamole. However, they’re also great topped with salsa or pico, sour cream, or Greek yogurt.
Then, if you want to make your meal even more filling, try adding a side like black beans, refried beans, Mexican rice, or a mango black bean salad.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: Feel free to cook the ground beef mixture ahead of time, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Then, assemble your quesadillas as usual.
- Store: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Once completely cool, transfer leftover quesadillas to a sealable bag or airtight container, placing a sheet of parchment paper between each piece. Freeze for 2-3 months, and thaw in the fridge overnight to serve.
- Reheat: Warm leftovers in the microwave in 20 to 30-second intervals. Or reheat them in a pan over medium heat just until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your quesadillas are soggy, it’s likely because you used too much oil, the beef was too fatty, or they weren’t cooked long enough.
I recommend using taco or burrito-sized tortillas, anywhere between 7 and 12 inches in diameter.
Any type of cheese will work. However, for the best results, I recommend using a melting cheese such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella.
Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Flour tortillas
- 1 Onion chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic crushed
- 1½ lb. (675 g) Ground beef
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Paprika1
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 8 oz (225 g) 225g Cheddar cheese or any other cheese of your choice
- Cilantro
- 3-4 tablespoons Oil
- 3 tablespoons Water/beef stock
Instructions
- In a large skillet or a pan, heat 2 tablespoon of oil. Add chopped onion and sauté over low heat for 4-5 minutes. Add crushed garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Add ground beef, cook, breaking it apart, for 6-7 minutes. Add tomato paste, seasoning and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add water/beef stock stir and cook for 3-4 minutes. Turn the heat off.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Brush each tortilla with 1 teaspoon of oi (only one side). Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese on one side of each tortilla. Sprinkle some ground beef mixture over the cheese, then some cilantro, and extra cheese. Fold tortilla over, place in the hot pan.
- Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Cut quesadillas into wedges and serve with guacamole or your favorite dipping.
Video
Notes
- Watch the Video: For a better understanding of the recipe, I always recommend watching the video recipe, which includes a step-by-step guide to help you succeed.
- FAQs: Make sure you read the FAQs for this recipe which are located above the recipe box for additional tips and troubleshooting! For extra tips and variations read the article.
The recipe is simple n easy also clear ecpkanation.
I love mexican food, but unfortunately in my area not easy to find tortilla. Neither other ingredients such as cumin and cilantro. Any alternatives. Or any flour tortilla recipe?