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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas

Whip up a quick and satisfying meal with these Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas. Packed with flavorful ground beef and plenty of gooey cheese, they're ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or a fun appetizer!
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Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 5 quesadillas
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican, Tex-Mex
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb 90% lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 10 flour tortillas 8-inch recommended
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild, or Mexican blend)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Spatula or Spoon
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife or Pizza Cutter

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
  2. Step 2: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook and stir constantly for about 1 minute to toast the spices.
  4. Step 4: Pour in the beef broth and stir. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cook for 5-7 minutes until most liquid reduces. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
  5. Step 5: Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place one tortilla flat in the skillet.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded cheese over just one half of the tortilla. Spoon about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the ground beef mixture over the cheese on the same half. Top the beef with another sprinkle of cheese.
  7. Step 7: Carefully fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling and press gently. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown, crispy, and the cheese is melted.
  8. Step 8: Slide the cooked quesadilla onto a cutting board and slice into wedges.
  9. Step 9: Repeat steps 5-8 with the remaining tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese, adding more oil as needed. Serve immediately with desired toppings.

Notes

Don't overfill the tortillas. Use medium heat to prevent burning. A non-stick skillet works best. You can make the beef mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days. Warm tortillas slightly before filling to make them more pliable.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet, oven (350°F/175°C), or air fryer for best crispness.