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Ground Beef Quesadillas

Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 quesadillas

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef 80-85% lean
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 6 large 10-inch flour tortillas
  • 3 cups shredded cheese combination of Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter for cooking

Optional toppings:

  • Fresh pico de gallo
  • Guacamole or sliced avocado
  • Sour cream
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges
  • Hot sauce

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the diced onion to the beef and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add all the spices to the beef mixture: chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine and cook for about a minute.
  • If there's excess grease in the pan, carefully drain it off. Return the pan to the heat and add 2 tablespoons of water to the beef mixture. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated.
  • Transfer the seasoned beef to a bowl and clean the skillet or use a different one for the quesadillas.
  • Heat the clean skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of oil or butter.
  • Place one tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle half of it with about 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.
  • Add approximately 1/3 cup of the beef mixture on top of the cheese, spreading it evenly. Add another 1/4 cup of cheese over the beef.
  • Fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press down gently with a spatula.
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and crispy, then carefully flip and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
  • Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 1 minute before slicing into wedges.
  • Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add 1/4 cup of diced bell peppers or 1/2 cup of black beans to the beef mixture. If you like it spicy, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper.