Easy Beef Quesadilla Recipe Ready in 20 Minutes
As a busy parent, finding quick and tasty meals is a must. That’s why I’m excited to share this easy beef quesadilla recipe. In just 20 minutes, you can make a delicious Mexican-inspired dinner. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something hearty and easy.
Key Takeaways
- This beef quesadilla recipe is ready in just 20 minutes, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights.
- The recipe yields 4 quesadillas, making it a family-friendly meal that’s easy to customize and share.
- The ingredients are simple and affordable, including lean ground beef, cheese, and flour tortillas.
- Quesadillas are a versatile dish that can be easily adapted to suit different dietary preferences or taste preferences.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge or freezer for convenience, ensuring you always have a delicious meal on hand.
Easy Beef Quesadilla Recipe
Sizzling Beef Quesadillas 🌮🔥 Crispy tortillas packed with seasoned beef, melty cheese, and zesty toppings! Perfect for a quick meal or party snack!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade mix)
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 8 large flour tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, chopped cilantro, jalapeños
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook the diced onions and bell peppers until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Cook the Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain any excess fat.
- Season: Add taco seasoning and a splash of water, stirring until the beef is well-coated. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Assemble Quesadillas: Place a tortilla on a flat surface, sprinkle a layer of cheese, add a portion of the beef mixture, and top with another sprinkle of cheese. Cover with a second tortilla.
- Cook the Quesadilla: Heat a clean skillet over medium heat. Place the quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until the tortilla is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Slice each quesadilla into quarters and serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Yield 4Amount Per ServingCalories 450Total Fat 20gCarbohydrates 40gProtein 25g
Why You’ll Love This Quick Mexican Dinner
This easy beef quesadilla recipe is a game-changer for satisfying Mexican meal cravings. It offers authentic flavors in just 20 minutes. Plus, it’s a family-friendly favorite.
Table of Contents
Time-Saving Benefits
Preparing a quick Mexican dinner has never been easier. This beef quesadilla recipe needs only 5 minutes of prep and 20 minutes total. It’s perfect for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients and a straightforward cooking process, you can have a flavorful meal ready in no time.
Family-Friendly Appeal
This beef quesadilla recipe is loved by all. Even picky eaters enjoy the savory ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas. You can customize it to fit everyone’s taste, making sure everyone loves this quick Mexican dinner.
Cost-Effective Meal Solution
Feeding a crowd doesn’t have to be expensive. This beef quesadilla recipe uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, tortillas, and shredded cheese. It’s a budget-friendly way to enjoy Mexican flavors without spending a lot.
“This quick Mexican dinner is a lifesaver on busy nights. It’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and my whole family loves it.”
Looking for a quick, family-friendly, or budget-friendly meal? This easy beef quesadilla recipe is your answer. Dive into the rich, cheesy goodness and see why it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Beef Quesadillas
To make the best beef quesadillas, you need the right ingredients. Start with 1 pound of lean ground beef. It should have 85/15 or 90/10 fat content for great taste and texture.
Add taco seasoning to the beef. You can use store-bought or make your own. For homemade, mix chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and black pepper. Add 1/3 cup of water to make the beef sauce-like.
For the quesadilla, use 4 large flour tortillas. Put 1/4 cup of seasoned beef and 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on each tortilla. Try other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Gouda, or Manchego too.
Use cooking oil spray to make the quesadillas crispy and golden-brown.
Top your quesadillas with fresh ingredients. Try sliced avocado, salsa, diced radishes, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef | 1 lb (85/15 or 90/10 fat content) |
| Taco Seasoning | Store-bought or homemade blend |
| Water | 1/3 cup |
| Flour Tortillas | 4 large |
| Shredded Cheddar Cheese | 1 cup |
| Cooking Oil Spray | As needed |
| Optional Toppings: | |
| Avocado, Salsa, Radishes, Sour Cream, Cilantro | As desired |
With these ingredients, you’re ready to make amazing beef quesadillas. Your taste buds will thank you.
Kitchen Tools and Equipment Needed
To make delicious beef quesadillas at home, you need some basic kitchen tools and equipment. You’ll need cookware to cook the ground beef and optional gadgets to make assembling easier. Having the right tools makes making quesadillas a breeze.
Essential Cookware
- Large skillet or frying pan: This is the key piece of equipment for browning and cooking the ground quesadilla cooking equipment.
- Baking sheet or sheet pan: You’ll need a sturdy baking sheet to assemble and cook the quesadillas in the oven.
Optional Tools for Easier Preparation
- Cheese grater: Freshly grating the kitchen tools for quesadillas cheese will result in a meltier, more evenly distributed filling.
- Wooden spoon: A sturdy wooden spoon makes it easy to break up and stir the ground beef as it cooks.
- Spatula: A flexible spatula is helpful for flipping and transferring the assembled quesadillas.
- Sharp knife: A good quality knife will allow you to neatly slice the finished quesadillas into wedges or squares.
With these essential and optional quesadilla cooking equipment and kitchen tools for quesadillas, you’ll be ready to make delicious beef quesadillas at home. They’ll taste like they came from a restaurant.
| Kitchen Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Large Skillet | Cooking the ground beef |
| Baking Sheet | Assembling and baking the quesadillas |
| Cheese Grater | Freshly grating the cheese for the filling |
| Wooden Spoon | Stirring and breaking up the ground beef |
| Spatula | Flipping and transferring the quesadillas |
| Sharp Knife | Slicing the finished quesadillas |
Step-by-Step Beef Quesadilla Recipe
Make your weeknight dinners special with this how to make beef quesadillas recipe. It’s easy and packed with flavor. You’ll have delicious beef quesadillas ready in just 20 minutes.
- Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until no longer pink.
- After the beef is browned, add the taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes. This lets the flavors mix and the mixture thicken a bit.
- Place 4 flour tortillas on a clean surface. Spread the seasoned ground beef evenly among the tortillas, making a thin layer.
- Then, sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the beef, covering the whole surface.
- Fold the tortillas in half to make a half-moon shape. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Broil the quesadillas for 3-4 minutes on each side. They should be golden brown and the cheese melted and bubbly.
- Take the quesadillas out of the oven and cut each one in half. Serve them right away, with your favorite toppings.
This beef quesadilla recipe is easy to follow. It makes a tasty, satisfying Mexican-inspired meal. The mix of savory beef, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas is irresistible.
Pro Tips for the Best Cheesy Results
For cheesy beef quesadillas that are irresistible, follow these tips. The secret is in the cheese, tortilla, and meat.
Cheese Selection Guide
Choose freshly grated cheese from a block. Avoid pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents. Mix cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese for the best cheesy beef quesadillas.
Tortilla Cooking Techniques
Lightly spray tortillas with oil before cooking. This makes them crispy on the outside and soft inside. It’s perfect for folding around fillings.
Meat Preparation Secrets
Drain excess fat from the ground beef after browning. Too much oil makes quesadillas greasy. Sauté onions and bell peppers with the beef for extra flavor.
Follow these quesadilla cooking tips for delicious, cheesy cheesy beef quesadillas. Your family will love them.
Customization Options and Variations
Beef quesadillas are incredibly versatile. You can make them your own by adding your favorite ingredients. This way, you can create beef quesadilla variations that everyone will love.
Want to try something different? Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Vegetarians can use refried beans or mashed black beans instead. Adding fresh veggies like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini is also a great idea.
Cheese fans can mix and match different types. Try sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or crumbled cotija. For those who don’t eat dairy, there are plant-based cheese options too.
Looking for a healthier option? Use whole-wheat or low-carb tortillas. Corn tortillas are a tasty and gluten-free choice. For a spicy twist, add jalapeños or a bit of cayenne pepper.
| Protein Options | Vegetable Additions | Cheese Alternatives | Tortilla Choices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Turkey | Spinach | Cheddar | Whole-Wheat |
| Shredded Chicken | Bell Peppers | Monterey Jack | Low-Carb |
| Ground Pork | Zucchini | Cotija | Corn |
| Refried Beans | Mushrooms | Oaxaca | Gluten-Free |
| Mashed Black Beans | Caramelized Onions | Plant-Based | Whole-Grain |
There are countless ways to make beef quesadilla variations and customized quesadillas. Let your imagination run wild and find your new favorite dish.
Serving Suggestions and Toppings
Make your beef quesadillas even better with tasty toppings and sides. Try sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and fresh cilantro for a classic touch. For something different, add a cilantro-lime slaw or pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Pair your quesadillas with Mexican-style rice or a green salad for a full meal. Or, get creative with creamy chipotle mayonnaise or mango salsa for a tropical twist.
Traditional Mexican Accompaniments
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Chopped cilantro
Modern Fusion Options
- Cilantro-lime slaw
- Pickled jalapeños
- Chipotle mayonnaise
- Mango salsa
For a complete meal, serve your quesadillas with refried beans or black bean soup. You can customize your quesadilla experience in many ways.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storing your beef quesadillas is easy. Just put leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in a skillet over medium heat until they’re warm and crispy. You can also reheat them quickly in the microwave.
For extra ground beef, store it in the fridge for 4-5 days. Use it in other recipes during the week. You can also freeze your quesadillas for up to 3 months. To reheat from frozen, bake them in a 350°F oven until they’re hot and crispy again.
These tips make it easy to enjoy your beef quesadillas all week or even freeze them for later. This Mexican-inspired dish is perfect for any time you crave it.
FAQ
What are the key ingredients for this beef quesadilla recipe?
You’ll need 1 lb ground beef, taco seasoning, and 1/3 cup water. Also, 4 large flour tortillas, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and cooking oil spray.
What equipment is needed to make these beef quesadillas?
You’ll need a large skillet for browning the beef. A sheet pan or baking sheet is needed for cooking the quesadillas. Optional tools include a cheese grater, a wooden spoon, and a spatula.
How do you assemble and cook the beef quesadillas?
Brown and season the ground beef first. Then, assemble the quesadillas with cheese and meat. Cook them under the broiler for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
What are some tips for the best cheesy beef quesadillas?
Use freshly grated cheese for better melting. Spritz tortillas with oil before cooking for a crispy exterior. Make sure the cheese is evenly distributed for consistent melting.
How can I customize or vary this beef quesadilla recipe?
Try using different meats like ground turkey, chicken, or pork. For a vegetarian option, use refried beans or mashed black beans. Experiment with different cheese types, add vegetables, and adjust the spice level.
What are some serving suggestions and topping ideas for beef quesadillas?
Serve quesadillas with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and chopped cilantro. For a fresh twist, try a cilantro-lime slaw or pickled jalapeños. Pair them with Mexican-style rice or a simple green salad.
How do you store and reheat leftover beef quesadillas?
Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for best results, or use a microwave for quick reheating. Leftover ground beef can be stored separately for 4-5 days and used in other dishes. Quesadillas can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Source Links
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