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Cheesy Beef Quesadillas
Enjoy these delightfully cheesy beef quesadillas filled with deliciously seasoned beef and lots of yummy flavors.
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Flavorful and satisfying, this 20-minute beef quesadilla recipe is sure to disappear from the table in no time! This simple recipe features flour tortillas filled with deliciously seasoned beef, tomato, and lots of melty cheese, before being cooked to crispy perfection on the stovetop. It’s a winning combination of flavors!
Cheesy Beef Quesadillas Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce with basil, garlic, oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 8 (10-inch) flour tortillas
- 4½ cups Colby jack cheese, shredded
Substitutions and Additions
CHEESE: You can swap out Colby jack cheese for sharp cheddar, pepper Jack, Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or any of your other favorite cheeses.
BEANS: If you’d like a mix of proteins or want to make this recipe vegetarian, add a can of black beans in addition to or in place of beef.
BEEF: Instead of beef, you can sue any ground meat your prefer like chicken, turkey, or pork.
VEGGIES: Add bell peppers, corn, mushrooms, or spinach if you’d like to incorporate more veggies into the meal.
SPICE: Add some spice to this dish by adding red pepper flakes, chili powder, or diced jalapeños.
TORTILLAS: You can use corn tortillas instead of flour in this recipe.
LIMES: Serve these quesadillas with a wedge of fresh lime for some fresh citrus flavor. It’s especially delicious if your quesadillas are spicy!
How to Make This Cheesy Beef Quesadillas Recipe
STEP ONE: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, cooking until it’s no longer pink. Drain the grease, then return the meat to the skillet.
STEP TWO: Continue to brown beef. Add garlic paste, onion powder, salt, tomato sauce, and red pepper flakes. Stir the beef mixture well to combine.
PRO TIP: If you are adding veggies to the recipe, add them in at Step Two.
STEP THREE: In a separate large skillet, melt ½ tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat.
STEP FOUR: Place a tortilla in the skillet, then sprinkle it with cheese. Add the ground beef filling, and then sprinkle it with more cheese.
STEP FIVE: Lay another tortilla on top and spread butter over the tortilla.
STEP SIX: Flip the quesadilla over and continue cooking until the cheese is melted.
PRO TIP: Keep an eye on the quesadillas and adjust your cooking temperature as necessary to ensure the cheese melts without burning the tortillas.
STEP SEVEN: Repeat Steps Three to Six for each quesadilla, then serve with your favorite toppings, like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
How To Serve
Serve these satisfying cheesy beef quesadillas topped with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. They’re so satisfying on their own or served alongside a Mexican Layered Salad and Mexican Corn on the Cob.
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover beef quesadillas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
IN THE FREEZER: These beef quesadillas can also be frozen for up to two months. Store them in a freezer-safe container separated by layers of parchment paper.
REHEATING: To reheat, place quesadillas on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes until they’re heated through and crispy.
Cheesy and flavorful, these beef quesadillas make for a great dish anytime! They’re incredibly delicious and will satisfy everyone at the table.
FAQ:
Q? Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
A: To make this recipe vegetarian, swap out the beef for black beans in this recipe. You can also do half beans and half beef if you’d like a mix of proteins.
Q? Can I cook quesadillas in the oven instead of on a stovetop?
A: Instead of using the stovetop, you can bake quesadillas at 400°F for a few minutes. Keep an eye on them, so they don’t burn!
Q? Can I make this recipe spicy?
A: You can make this recipe spicy by adding red pepper flakes and serving the beef quesadillas with hot sauce.
Cheesy Beef Quesadillas
Enjoy these delightfully cheesy beef quesadillas filled with deliciously seasoned beef and lots of yummy flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces tomato sauce with basil, garlic, and oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 8 10-inch flour tortillas
- 4½ cups Colby jack cheese shredded
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef. Cook until no longer pink. Drain grease and return beef to the skillet.
- Continue to cook the beef until browned. Add garlic paste, onion powder, salt, tomato sauce, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
- In a separate large skillet over medium-low heat, add ½ tablespoon of butter and allow it to melt.
- Place a tortilla in the skillet. Add cheese, beef mixture, then more cheese to the tortilla. Lay another tortilla on top and spread butter over the tortilla.
- Flip the quesadilla over and continue cooking until all of the cheese is melted.
- Repeat steps for each quesadilla.
Notes
This is a great recipe to buy pre-shredded cheese for as it makes prep time even quicker for your easy meal.
I recommend using lean beef or draining the excess grease off when you’re done cooking the meat so that your quesadillas don’t get soggy.
Watch it closely while it is cooking so that you don’t burn the quesadilla at the last second.
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