Cheesy Beef Quesadillas are a crowd-pleasing dish that’s both delicious and easy to make. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, these quesadillas combine savory ground beef, a blend of cheeses, and warm, crispy tortillas. The flavorful beef is seasoned with a combination of chili powder, oregano, and chipotle chili pepper, giving the dish a spicy kick, while the melted cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella provide the ultimate cheesy goodness. Whether you bake or pan-fry these quesadillas, they’ll turn out golden and crispy, with a gooey, melted interior. Serve them hot with your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for a complete meal.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Beef Mixture:
Shallot: 1, finely chopped
Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
Ground beef: 450g (extra lean)
Salt and black pepper: To taste
Chili powder: 1 teaspoon
Dried oregano: ½ teaspoon
Ground chipotle chili pepper: 1 teaspoon
Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon
Onion powder: ½ teaspoon
Cayenne pepper: ¼ teaspoon (optional, to taste)
Tomato paste: 1 tablespoon
Beef stock/broth: 2 tablespoons
Fresh coriander: Optional, for garnish
For the Quesadillas:
Cheddar cheese: 85g, shredded
Monterey Jack cheese: 85g, shredded
Mozzarella cheese: 85g, shredded
Flour tortillas: 6
Olive oil: For brushing, if baking
Optional Toppings:
Sour cream
Guacamole
Salsa
Instructions (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prepare the Beef Mixture
Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
Cook the shallot: Add the finely chopped shallot to the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until it becomes translucent and soft. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Add the ground beef: Break the ground beef into small pieces as it cooks in the skillet. Stir occasionally, allowing the beef to brown evenly. This should take about 8-10 minutes, or until the beef is fully cooked through.
Season the beef: Once the beef is cooked, season it with salt and black pepper to taste. Then, add 1 teaspoon of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of ground chipotle chili pepper, ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper (optional). Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
Add tomato paste and broth: Stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and 2 tablespoons of beef broth. Mix until the beef is well coated with the tomato paste and broth, which will give it a rich and slightly saucy texture.
Set aside: Remove the skillet from heat and set the beef mixture aside. Optionally, you can stir in some freshly chopped coriander for an added layer of flavor and freshness.
Step 2: Assemble the Quesadillas
Combine the cheeses: In a separate bowl, mix 85g each of shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and mozzarella cheese. This combination of cheeses will provide a rich, gooey filling for the quesadillas.
Prepare the tortillas: Lay one flour tortilla on a flat surface. Spread a portion of the cooked beef mixture evenly over half of the tortilla, leaving the other half empty for folding.
Add the cheese: Sprinkle a generous amount of the shredded cheese mixture over the beef, making sure to cover it evenly.
Fold the tortilla: Fold the tortilla in half, pressing gently to flatten and seal the filling inside.
Repeat: Repeat this process for the remaining tortillas and fillings.
Step 3: Cook the Quesadillas
You have two cooking options: baking or pan-frying.
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