Name: Ground Beef Quesadillas with a Crispy Golden-Brown Crust
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
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)

Description

Crispy quesadillas filled with lean ground beef and oozy cheese, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

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Instructions

Prepare the Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook until it’s browned and crumbly, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat to keep the meal deliciously light.
Add Flavor: Stir in the tomato paste, taco seasoning, and beef broth. Allow this comforting mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until combined and perfectly coated in sauce.
Assemble the Quesadillas: Lay out your flour tortillas and on one half of each, layer the bright orange cheddar and creamy Monterey Jack cheese. Next, add a generous scoop of the beef mixture and top with even more cheese to ensure that gooeyness we all love!
Toast Them Up: Fold the tortillas carefully, ensuring all that cheesy goodness stays inside. Heat the same skillet and add vegetable oil over medium heat. Cook the quesadillas for about 3–4 minutes on each side until they turn that beautiful golden brown, and the cheese is melted to perfection.
Serve and Enjoy: Let the quesadillas cool briefly (if you can resist the urge to dive in), then slice into wedges. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve alongside smooth sour cream for dipping.

Notes

Try adding jalapeños for a spicy kick or mix in sautéed peppers for a veggie delight.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Pan-frying
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
Calories: 430
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 650mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 23g
Cholesterol: 90mg