Ground Beef Cheesy Quesadillas

These Ground Beef Cheesy Quesadillas deliver everything you love about a hearty, comforting meal — golden, crispy tortillas filled with seasoned beef and layers of perfectly melted cheese. They’re quick to prepare, deeply satisfying, and ideal for busy weeknights or a fun weekend lunch. Each bite is loaded with savory flavor and gooey richness, making them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

The seasoned ground beef comes together in minutes, infused with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic for a Tex-Mex profile that pairs beautifully with melty cheddar and Monterey Jack. Buttering the tortillas ensures crisp, golden exteriors that contrast deliciously with the soft, cheesy interior. Whether served simply or dressed up with toppings, these quesadillas never disappoint.

You can customize them endlessly — add jalapeños for heat, black beans for heartiness, or corn for sweetness. They slice beautifully into wedges and are perfect for dipping into salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. Easy, fast, and irresistibly cheesy, these quesadillas make comfort food feel effortless.

Servings: 4 quesadillas
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup water
• 8 medium flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter or oil

Instructions

In a skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned. Drain excess fat.
Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and water. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Butter one side of each tortilla.
Place one tortilla, buttered side down, in the skillet. Sprinkle with a layer of cheese, spoon some beef mixture over the cheese, then add another layer of cheese. Top with a second tortilla, buttered side up.
Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, flipping carefully, until the quesadilla is golden brown and crisp.
Slice into wedges and serve hot with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

Variations

• Add diced jalapeños for extra heat.
• Mix in black beans or corn for added texture and flavor.
• Use pepper jack cheese for a spicier kick.
• Add sautéed bell peppers or onions for fajita-style quesadillas.

Tips

• Buttering the tortillas gives them a perfect golden crust.
• Don’t overfill — too much filling makes flipping harder.
• Use medium heat to ensure the cheese melts fully while the tortilla crisps evenly.
• Keep cooked quesadillas warm in a low oven while finishing the batch.