Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
A delightful combination of savory, melted cheese and seasoned ground beef wrapped in warm tortillas, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: None
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10 blend)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup beef broth (or water)
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
- 1.5 cups bright orange cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
- 1.5 cups white Monterey Jack cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or butter, for pan-toasting)
- 2 tbsp fresh green cilantro (finely chopped, for garnish)
- 1/2 cup smooth white sour cream (for dipping)
Instructions
- Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, beef broth, and taco seasoning. Mix well and simmer on medium for about 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Prepare two flour tortillas on a clean surface. Divide the cooked beef mixture evenly between them, leaving about an inch around the edges.
- Sprinkle the grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the beef on each tortilla.
- Top with the remaining two tortillas to create two quesadilla sandwiches.
- Cook the quesadillas in the same skillet with heated vegetable oil over medium heat, for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cheese is melted. Remove and repeat with the second quesadilla.
- Slice into wedges, garnish with cilantro, and serve with sour cream for dipping.
Notes
For better melting, use freshly grated cheese. Prevent sticking by using a non-stick skillet or sufficient oil/butter.