These Ground Beef Quesadillas are crispy, cheesy, and incredibly easy to make. They are the perfect quesadilla.
Should You Make This?
Ingredients: You will need ground beef, taco seasoning, tomato paste, tortillas, cheese, butter, and your favorite toppings.
Time: The recipe takes 40 minutes to make, but if you make the meat ahead of time then you can make these into easy quick meals.
Ease: Simple, easy recipe, perfect for busy weeknights.
If you want more easy weeknight ground beef dinner recipes, try my Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole, Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks, or Creamy Ground Beef Pasta.
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Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Beef - I like to use 90% or higher ground beef so I don't have to drain excess grease, but any percentage works. You can also swap it for ground turkey or chicken.
Taco Seasoning - I use my homemade seasoning (it just tastes better!), but a store-bought packet works too. If using store-bought, skip the tomato paste since it already contains tomato powder.
Tortillas - I use 4 large burrito sized tortillas. If you want to make smaller quesadillas, use six taco-sized tortillas.
Shredded Cheese - I like using a Mexican blend shredded cheese for it's melty blend of flavors, but Monterey Jack, pepper jack, cheddar, Oaxaca cheese, or a combination of cheeses work great too.
Butter - Gives the tortillas a crispy, buttery flavor, but a neutral oil works if you prefer.
Guacamole and Sour Cream - The best duo for ground beef quesadillas, but you can also go with salsa or Pico de Gallo.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Ground Beef Quesadilla
Step 1 | Cook Ground Beef
Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned. Stir in taco seasoning, tomato paste, and water; simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid reduces and the beef is well coated.
Step 2 | Assemble Quesadilla
Layer cheese, seasoned beef, and more cheese on one half of a tortilla, then fold it in half. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
Step 3 | Cook the Quesadilla
Cook the quesadillas in a skillet over medium heat for 2-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Slice into wedges and serve warm with guacamole and sour cream.
Add Veggies
Boost the flavor by mixing in diced onions, diced bell peppers, or deseeded and diced jalapeños to the ground beef while it's cooking.
You can also add canned corn or black beans to the filling after it's done cooking.
Add Refried Beans
Spread a thin layer of refried beans on one half of the tortilla, then add the beef and cheese. Cook as usual.
Tips and Tricks
Make it Crispy: Cook quesadillas in a cast iron skillet, electric griddle, or nonstick pan over medium heat. Lightly coat with vegetable oil or butter for a golden, crispy finish.
Avoid Soggy Quesadillas: Skip wet fillings like salsa or tomatoes-save those for dipping. Too much moisture makes the tortilla soft instead of crisp.
Easy Slicing: Let quesadillas rest for 1-2 minutes, then cut with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. This keeps the cheese from spilling out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store the cooked ground beef and cheese in separate airtight containers in the fridge. When you're ready, assemble and cook fresh in a tortilla for the best texture.
Yes! Make the quesadillas, let them cool, then wrap and freeze. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, but you can also cook them from frozen in a skillet over low heat.
Use lean ground beef, around 90-95% lean. It keeps the filling flavorful without making the quesadilla greasy.
Reheating Leftovers
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Place the quesadilla in the pan and cover it with a lid to help melt the cheese.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy and warmed through.
For a quicker option, you can reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, but the tortilla won't be as crispy.
Sides
- Guacamole and Chips: This classic guacamole and chip recipe has tons of fresh flavor and optional spice.
- Black Bean and Corn Salad: It combines black beans, corn, peppers, onion, and the perfect amount of seasoning.
- Cilantro Lime Rice: This easy Cilantro Lime Rice is perfect, this recipe can be made using a rice cooker or stovetop.
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
Ground Beef Quesadillas Recipe
Ingredients
For the Quesadillas
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- 1 batch Homemade Taco Seasoning see below
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup water
- 4 burrito-sized flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Guacamole and sour cream for serving
For the Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- While the beef cooks, mix together all the spices for the Homemade Taco Seasoning in a small bowl.
- Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the taco seasoning, tomato paste, and ½ cup water.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and the beef is well coated. Remove from heat.
- Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface. Sprinkle ¼ cup of cheese over one half of the tortilla. Spread some of the beef mixture evenly on top of the cheese. Sprinkle another ¼ cup of cheese over the beef. Fold the tortilla in half. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Melt ½ teaspoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Place two quesadillas in the skillet and cook for 2-4 minutes per side, until golden brown, crispy, and the cheese is fully melted.
- Repeat with the remaining quesadillas, adding more butter as needed.
- Slice the quesadillas into wedges and serve warm with guacamole and sour cream.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
More Quesadilla Recipes
- Cheesy Shredded Chicken Quesadillas: These chicken and cheese quesadillas are loaded with shredded chicken and plenty of melty cheese.
- Ground Turkey Quesadillas: They are loaded with melty cheese, onion, bell peppers, black beans, corn, and perfectly seasoned ground turkey.
- BBQ Brisket Quesadilla: This BBQ brisket quesadilla is stuffed with Oaxaca cheese, onions, cilantro, and brisket slathered in BBQ sauce.
- Cheese Quesadilla: There are 3 secrets to making the best cheese quesadilla.
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