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These Cheesy Beef Quesadillas will satisfy anyone’s Mexican craving! Super quick to put together, loaded with fresh ingredients and lots of bold flavors. Create that restaurant favorite right in your own home!
If you’re looking for super delicious, super cheesy beef quesadillas you’ve come to the right place! Seasoned ground beef and ooey gooey cheese with a perfect golden brown exterior. I’m telling you this recipe just became a favorite weekly occurrence!
I’m a huge fan of quesadillas! They are such a great method to shoving more cheese in one’s mouth! No only is this recipe super quick and easy to whip up but there are also so many different variations in which you can make them!
Quesa – What?
If anyone out there is unfamiliar with this little hand held piece of heaven, you’re about to get familiar! Traditionally, quesadillas are a Mexican dish of tortillas stuffed full of cheese and occasionally meat, and maybe even less occasionally, some veggies! It doesn’t really matter what you stuff them with though, either way they’re delicious!
Ingredients
- Ground beef – 1 lb of lean ground beef.
- Salt and pepper – For seasoning and to taste.
- Garlic – 3 fresh cloves, minced. Remember the jarred rule; 1 1/2 teaspoons is equal to 1 fresh clove!
- Onion – 1 medium white onion, chopped.
- Taco seasoning – Any brand you like will do the trick or make your own using my recipe right here.
- Tomato paste – Any option you prefer!
- Black beans – Drained, and rinsed.
- Tortillas – Flour tortillas, you can use any brand or variation you prefer!
- Cheese – I used a cheddar cheese today, white or yellow.
- Lime – Cut into wedges.
- Avocado – Chopped, please!
- Cilantro – Chopped, for garnish – this can be optional but I do recommend it!
How To Make Cheesy Beef Quesadillas
- Prepare beef: In a large skillet, over medium-high heat brown the beef, using a wooden spoon to break it into crumbles.
- Combine toppings: Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet and cook for about 3 – 4 minutes or until softened. Next, add taco seasoning, tomato paste, black beans and 1 tbsp of water. Cook on medium-low for about 5 minutes.
- Build quesadillas: Warm a large non-stick pan over medium heat with one teaspoon of oil. Place 1 tortilla into the pan and sprinkle cheese on half, followed by the beef mixture, then finished with more cheese. Fold the tortilla over and lightly fry on both sides until cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Serve: Cut quesadillas into wedges and serve with lime wedges and avocado or sour cream and salsa. Voila!
What Else Can I Add To Quesadillas?
So many things! This part is so fun, so use your imagination and get creative! Here are some suggestions to get you on the right track:
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Corn
- Rice
If you’re looking for some other variations of quesadillas I’ve also got you covered there! Check out these delicious options:
What Kind Of Tortilla Should I Use
For quesadillas I really prefer flour tortillas. You do have the option to use a corn tortilla but I’ll warn you, they aren’t as flexible nor can they usually withstand all the toppings you’re going to stuff in them! There is also the option of making your own homemade tortillas instead of using store bought!
Leftovers
Quesadillas will last in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you want to extend the shelf life you can freeze the quesadillas for up to 2 months. A helpful tip for storage, is placing the quesadillas on parchment paper before putting into containers or wrapping will be beneficial when it comes time to reheat!
Reheating
I definitely recommend reheating these beef quesadillas in the oven – no one likes a soggy microwaved tortilla, I’m just saying! The parchment paper that you stored with the quesadilla comes in handy here. All you need to do is pull it out entirely and place onto a baking sheet, then into the oven. Bake at 350 F degrees for about 10 minutes and you’re good to go!
More Delicious Mexican Recipes To Try:
- Mexican Stuffed Peppers
- Steak Fajitas
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Taco Soup
- Avocado Tomato Salad
- 3 Ingredient Mexican Rice
- Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole
- Beef Carnitas
Cheesy Beef Quesadillas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 8 ounce black beans drained and rinsed
- 4 teaspoon olive oil
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 8 ounce cheddar cheese shredded, white or yellow
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- 1 avocado chopped
- 2 tablespoon cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Prepare beef: In a large skillet, over medium-high heat brown the beef, using a wooden spoon to break it into crumbles.
- Combine toppings: Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet and cook for about 3 – 4 minutes or until softened. Next, add taco seasoning, tomato paste, black beans and 1 tbsp of water. Cook on medium-low for about 5 minutes.
- Build quesadillas: Warm a large non-stick pan over medium heat with one teaspoon of oil. Place 1 tortilla into the pan and sprinkle cheese on half, followed by the beef mixture, then finished with more cheese. Fold the tortilla over and lightly fry on both sides until cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Serve: Cut quesadillas into wedges and serve with lime wedges and avocado or sour cream and salsa.
Tips & Notes:
- Quesadillas will last in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you want to extend the shelf life you can freeze the quesadillas for up to 2 months. A helpful tip for storage, is placing the quesadillas on parchment paper before putting into containers or wrapping will be beneficial when it comes time to reheat!
