Looking for super Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas? You’ve come to the right place! Well seasoned ground beef, lots of ooey gooey cheese and a crispy golden brown exterior make these quesadillas simply irresistible! They’re sure to become a favourite in your home as they are in ours.
Hey friends, if you’re looking for an easy quesadilla recipe, you’ve come to the right place!
If you know me and you follow Girl Heart Food you know that I’m a HUGE fan of quesadillas. One of the reasons is, like grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas are a method of getting more cheese in my pie hole, lol.
Seriously, though, hubby and I enjoy quesadillas on the regular. They’re super easy to whip up, you can put as little or as much as you want in ’em and they always taste amazing.
I’ve shared other varieties with you guys before, like chicken, lentil, and even breakfast quesadillas. Today though? Ground beef quesadillas. One thing they all have in common—>Cheese…and lots of it! You gotta have quesadillas with cheese, if you ask me! Tell me you don’t wanna grab some through your screen….if only, right?!
These cheesy quesadillas come together in no time at all with some pretty basic ingredients you probably already have on hand. I’m pretty confident they’ll be in high rotation in your home as they are ours.
How to Make Ground Beef Quesadillas?
- In a pan on medium heat, add olive oil, ground beef and spices.
- Break up well with a wooden spoon or potato masher to make it nice and crumbly…you don’t want huge chunks of beef.
- Stir in tomato paste.
- Next goes beef stock (or you could use water).
- Once stock is absorbed (and beef is cooked), remove from pan.
- Place some cheese on one half of tortilla.
- Top with cooked ground beef.
- Add a little more cheese.
- Fold tortilla over so you have a half moon shape.
- Gently fry until golden brown and cheese is melted. Watch that they don’t burn. They cook quickly!
- Cut in half and enjoy!
What Type of Tortilla Should I Use for Quesadillas? What Size of Tortilla is Best?
For quesadillas, I prefer flour tortillas over corn tortillas. They’re readily available (more so than corn tortillas here in Newfoundland). Plus, they’re hearty, flexible and withstand all those delicious toppings.
Monica from Nourish and Feta has an awesome recipe for homemade flour tortillas if you want to try those instead of store-bought. Just make ’em a little bigger if you want to use for quesadillas.
I typically opt to use flour tortillas that are about 7-8 inches in diameter.
Can I Make these Ground Beef Quesadillas Ahead of Time?
Like with most things, these ground beef quesadillas are best made and enjoyed right away while they’re nice-n-crispy and the cheese is all gooey.
However, in a pinch, you could totally pre-cook your ground beef, store in the fridge and reheat when you want to assemble/fry.
Can Leftover Quesadillas Be Reheated?
You bet they can! Preheat oven to 375 F and place leftover quesadillas on a baking sheet. Cook for about 10 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. They won’t be quite as crispy as freshly made, but they are still pretty awesome.
What’s the Best Cheese for Quesadillas?
Cheese not only tastes awesome in these beef quesadillas, but they also serve a function…to act as a ‘glue’ to keep things together. Cheese is there anything you can’t do??
When making quesadillas, pick a nice melting cheese, like cheddar, pizza mozzarella or monterey jack (or a combo of them).
I’ve made these quesadillas a bunch of times with different varieties of cheese, as well as with a store bought ‘Mexican’ blend of cheddar, monterey jack and pizza mozzarella (which is what I used here). I don’t often go for pre-shredded cheeses, but by buying a blend, you get a variety without having to buy multiple blocks of cheese….
Having said that, in the event that you do have odds and ends of cheese floating around in your fridge, now would be the time to use them! Waste not, want not, right??
Other nice melting cheeses are havarti, fontina, Swiss, gouda and provolone. For added flavour (even though it doesn’t melt well) I’ve even added crumble feta to the mix (or for more of a authentic Mexican vibe, use queso fresco).
It’s cheese. As a cheese obsessed person, there is no going wrong in my books 😉
Other Tips and Variations for Making the Best Quesadillas
- I used ‘extra lean’ ground beef. If you use anything otherwise, ensure that excess fat is drained from the cooked meat before putting on the tortillas. You don’t want a greasy mess!
- If the size of your tortillas are larger or smaller than the ones I used, the quantity you yield will vary. Mine were about 7-8 inches in diameter (so larger than the size one would typically use for, say, a taco).
- Watch those quesadillas in the pan! They are burn quickly. It’s better to have the heat on the lower side so you get a nice golden brown colour (without burning) and still melt the cheese.
- I keep these beef and cheese quesadillas simple, but you could add sliced avocado, hot peppers (patted dry before using), corn or cilantro (or whatever you please).
- Break up the ground beef into crumbles. You don’t want huge pieces of beef. I love to use a wooden spoon or potato masher to really break up.
- Carefully flip the quesadillas. You don’t want the filling popping out. Use two spatulas (or one really large one, like a fish spatula) to flip OR cut into pieces before browning. It may make things a little more manageable.
What To Serve with These Ground Beef Quesadillas?
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Salsa
- Pico de gallo from Karrie of Tasty Ever After
- Guacamole
- Green salad, like this chopped Mexican salad with pepitas from Valentina of Cooking on the Weekends
- Rice
- Mexican street corn from Marianne of Basil & Bubbly
Like These Cheesy Quesadillas? You May Enjoy These Too!
Hope you love these ground beef quesadillas as much as we do! Stay tuned for more easy cheesy quesadillas recipes coming your way!
Until next time take care and chit chat again soon,
~Dawn
P.S. If you think these cheesy beef quesadillas will make your belly happy too, please be sure to hit that little Pin button. Many thanks, you guys! XO
Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef -I used ‘extra lean’
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp unsalted beef stock
- 12 oz shredded cheese blend -about 3 cups (or combination of cheddar, monterey jack and pizza mozzarella)
- 6 flour tortillas -mine were about 7 – 8 inch diameter
- cooking spray -to grease pan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 F (to keep quesadillas warm while cooking batches).
- In a pan (I used non stick) on medium heat add olive oil.
- When shimmering, add ground beef, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Heat until cooked through, breaking into crumbles with a wooden spoon, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and stock and cook 1 -2 minutes more.
- Remove beef from pan into a bowl. If there is any excess grease drain/remove.
- Distribute about 8 ounces (or 2 cups) of cheese among all tortillas (on one side of them). NOTE: reserve the remaining 4 ounces (or cup of cheese).Also, if your tortillas are smaller or larger than the size I used, the quantity you yield will vary.
- Distribute ground beef on top of cheese. Then, sprinkle remaining 1 cup (or 4 ounces) of cheese on top of ground beef. Fold tortilla over so you have a half moon shape.
- Working in batches (about 2 quesadillas per batch), spray cooking spray into pan and cook quesadillas (on medium low heat) for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted (carefully turning and watching to ensure they don't burn). While continuing batches, place cooked quesadillas on a baking sheet in preheated oven to keep warm. Cut each half moon in half. Serve with salsa, guacamole and/or sour cream. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition (estimate only)
Just confirming two chili powders? Thank you.
Hi there! Yes, there’s chili powder as well as chipotle powder (for a little smoky flavour). Enjoy!
Can this same recipe be used for regular
Tacos in a crispy or flour tortilla?
Hi Julie! Yes, that should definitely work 🙂
Made this tonight, and it was amazing! Kids loved it so thank you!
That made my day! So happy to hear that, Jessica! Thanks so much 🙂
My husband is always sending me “new & exciting” recipes he’d like to see for dinner. He and my daughter love tacos, but I really don’t care for them. This is an amazing alternative. I did up the garlic and onion powders and used smoked paprika in place of the chipotle chili powder, I didn’t have any. My husband and I both like a bit of heat so I added a diced up cayenne pepper from our garden. He loves onions any way he can get em, so I topped the meat with diced onions before the last layer of cheese. They came out sooo good. This recipe is definitely getting made again. They paired great with sour cream and homemade salsa. My picky eater said less meat and more cheese, but don’t listen to her. Next time I’ll make her just a plain ole cheese one. Oh and unless you have a rather large family, be warned, do not double the recipe. I know what we’re taking for lunches this week 😉 ! Thank you for the great recipe!
Thank you very much, Amy…your comment made my day 🙂 So happy you and your family enjoyed the recipe!! Thanks for trying and letting me know!
Hey, Dawn! Looooved this recipe. I was just wondering — how did you come to 252 calories in total? May we see a breakdown? Thanks! Super duper love this!! Such a yummy meal 😋
Hi Ali! I use a nutrition calculator from my recipe card plug in. Once ingredients are inputted, as well as the number of servings, it calculates. So, the nutrition info listed is per piece (or half of each half moon). Hope that helps and so happy you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
I mean, how delicious do those look? I did want to grab one through the screen! I recently found a brand of gluten-free corn tortillas that I really liked so now all I can think about is quesadillas. They really are so tasty and quick to make once you cook the meat. And as always, gorgeous photos, Dawn. They look so yummy!.
That you so much for the kind comment, Kim!! We love ’em…hope you do too 🙂
Yum, these are a family favourite! I really love the seasoning for the filling, all wholesome ingredients (lots that I grow in my garden) with no msg or excessive salt. Thanks, a family favourite I feel good serving my kids 🙂
Happy to hear that! Thank you Sabrina 🙂
Such a simple idea and yet I never thought of it! This looks so delicious…can’t wait to try it instead of the usual cheese or chicken quesadillas!
Thanks Lisa! Hope you love ’em as much as we do 🙂
Quesadillas are really popular in our house, but we are definitely stuck in a rut with the same type. This would be a perfect change up! Plus all that cheese, yes please!
Ours too!! Can’t go wrong with lots of cheese, in my opinion 😉
I’m a big cheese fan too and these cheesy beef quesadillas are calling my name! Pinning for later!
Thanks so very much, Jacqueline 🙂 Hope you love ’em!
If only I could reach through my screen and grab a bite of these! Dawn, I’m not a huge beef eater but you have me drooling over here – all that beefy cheesy goodness stuffed between crisp tortillas…. yummm… am sitting here with PB &J toast, wishing I was eating this instead! Happy weekend to you xoxo
Lol! Wish I could share! Thank you Shashi! Have a great weekend ahead too 🙂 XOXO
Quick and easy but yet the ultimate comfort food! Love this cheesy dish!
Totally! Thanks Kevin!
These look delicious and so cheesy, Dawn!! I love crispy quesadillas!! Can’t wait to try the recipe and thanks so much for suggesting my pico de gallo to go with it 🙂 xoxo
Same here! Thank you Karrie! My pleasure 🙂 XOXO
I would devour that entire stack Dawn…if my son’s didn’t first! We’d all be fighting over these. Pinned and looking forward to trying!
Lol!! Thanks Mary Ann…maybe you’ll have to double the batch 😉
These look so good,, Dawn! Who doesn’t love a quesadilla? And this one is so beautiful and easy! I love that you toasted it in the pan, too! Often my kids just simply microwave a quesadilla – I think they’re missing the best part of quesadilla texture – a crispy crust! So delish!
Thanks Laura! Right?! Thank you Laura! They’re a favourite around here for sure 🙂
I’m right there with you on your love for quesadillas! These look fabulous and just the thing for a delicious dinner 🙂
Yay! Happy to hear that! Thank you Jennifer 🙂
I have been looking! So happy I found them! Wowza these look incredible! These are just plain fun! Happy week, my friend! XOXO
You’re so sweet! Thank you so much, Annie! Have a wonderful week too! XOXO
These ‘dillas look amazing, Dawn! And you want to know something funny? I just made a very similar recipe here. I guess great minds do indeed think alike! 🙂 I absolutely love a good quesadilla, and I’ll never turn down ground beef…so the combo here sounds amazing. Pass me one of those wedges, please!
Dawn, these look so cheesy and delicious! My family loves these!
Thank you so much, Kelly 🙂 Happy to hear that!
I’m with you, Dawn!! The more cheese the BETTER. We also eat a ton of quesadillas, they’re an easy win with the kids! I’ll definitely be trying this one, I just know everyone in my family will be devouring it!! Hope you had a nice weekend! XO
Right?! Hope you guys love as much as we do! Thank you Katherine! Same to you, my friend! XOXO
I love this recipe. These with some pico de gallo and sour cream and I’m in heaven.
Yes! Thank you so much Marie 🙂
We rarely make quesadillas, but when it comes to “that day”, I use a lot of cheese to make it. In my book, why do you even need to bother if a quesadilla doesn’t loaded with all the cheese, right?:) This totally looks and sounds wonderful; love the pictures too!
Yay for cheese! Thank you kindly, Ben 🙂
Dawn, these look AMAZING! I nearly jumped into my phone when I saw the pic on Instagram this morning. We make a lot of quesadillas around here and everyone would love these!
Lol!! Thank you so much, Valentina 🙂
LOL! loved the part about how quesadillas are just another way to consume cheese….TRUE! These look seriously so delicious. Crispy on the outside, cheesy and maybe a little spicy on the inside! Looks right up my alley! 🙂
Totally!! Thank you Haylie! Have a great week 🙂
This looks way too good to be unleashed upon the public!
Haha..that made me laugh out loud 😉 Thank you Jeff!
Your quesadillas look so appetizing! I can absolutely have them for breakfast in addition to lunch and dinner. Or late night snack. Seriously, if I had them all they long I wouldn’t get tired of them. Pinned!
Thank you very much, Milena 🙂 I never do either 😉
We love quesadillas in our house too! One of the reasons is they are so darned easy to get on the table and they satisfy everyone! Love that you added ground beef – it turns these into a meal!
Totally!! Thank you Kathy 🙂
Dawn, you always have the most mouth watering quesadilla recipes! And this one is no exception. These would be perfect to whip up any day of the week – great for weekend snacking or a quick weekday meal! Happy Monday. Hope your week is off to a great start!
Awww- thanks Leanne!! Have a great week too 🙂
Quesadillas are one of my favorites too! I love how versatile they are! (And of course I love eating cheese about any way I can get it.) Yours look so perfectly crispy, which is really the only way to go with quesadillas :). Have a great week, Dawn!
Totally!! Thank you Kelsie! You too 🙂