Our easy Ground Beef Quesadillas are a tasty and straightforward option for a filling meal, packed with flavorful ground beef and melted cheese; all encased in a toasty tortilla. This recipe combines a delicious mix of spices, cheese, and beans to make a classic quesadilla ideal for either a quick family dinner or entertaining friends.
Ground Beef Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a simple meal option that allows for whatever filling you have laying around, perfect for repurposing leftovers, but our ground beef quesadilla stands out for its robust flavors and perfect crunch.
This recipe uses lean ground beef seasoned with a blend of spices, including cumin, chile powder, and a hint of coriander, delivering a warm, slightly spicy taste that complements all of that creamy, melted cheese. We take it up a notch by adding in onions, chiles, and a some salsa to add more flavor and texture.
This recipe is perfect for any cooking level, and can be customized with different toppings and fillings, making it a great base recipe to tweak according to your taste preferences.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Rich and Flavorful: The combination of ground beef seasoned with a mix of traditional spices offers a depth of flavor that is both comforting and satisfying.
- Customizable: Easily add your favorite ingredients such as black beans, different cheeses, or additional toppings to tailor the quesadillas to your taste.
- Quick and Easy: From start to finish, you can have a delicious meal ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Kid-Friendly: With familiar ingredients and the option to adjust the spice level, this dish is a hit among both kids and adults.
- Great for Leftovers: These quesadillas reheat well, ensuring a tasty meal is just a quick warm-up away, even the next day.
Use our Homemade Taco Seasoning!
Ground Beef Quesadillas shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Lean Ground Beef
- Onion
- Diced Chiles
- Salsa
- Cumin
- Chile Powder
- Garlic Salt
- Onion Powder
- Oregano
- Ground Coriander (optional)
- Tapatio or Cholula (optional)
- Water
- Corn Flour or Corn Starch
- Burrito Sized Tortillas
- Mexican Blend Cheese
- Black Beans (optional)
Try our Mexican Beef Stew!
How to make Ground Beef Quesadillas
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. Click on the steps to expand, and when you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
Prepare the Beef Mixture:
Brown the ground beef with onions and chiles. Drain any excess fat and add the spices, salsa, and water. Simmer until the flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Thicken with corn flour slurry to desired consistency.
Assemble the Quesadillas:
Heat a skillet over medium-high. Place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle cheese on one half, and add a layer of the beef mixture. If desired, add black beans. Top with more cheese.
Cook:
- Fold the tortilla over and cook until the bottom is brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side to achieve the same level of crispiness.
Repeat:
- Continue with the remaining tortillas and filling.
Serve:
- Cut into wedges and serve hot with your choice of toppings such as lettuce, tomato, avocado, sour cream, salsa, and cilantro.
Serve with some Mexican Rice!
Serve this with…
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes
- Blackstone Mexican Pizzas
- Blackstone Mexican Fried Rice
- Blackstone Mexican-Style Street Corn
- Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- Grilled Mexican Street Corn
Simple Beef Quesadillas
From scratch seasoning mix makes these beef quesadillas quick, easy, and with none of the filler that come in the packets.
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1 small can diced chiles
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1.5 TBSP chile powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1/8 tsp ground coriander, optional
- few shakes tapitio or cholula
- 3/4 cup water
- Corn Flour slurry, or corn starch if you don't have corn flour
Quesadillas:
- Burrito sized tortillas
- Mexican blend cheese
- Drained and rinsed black beans, optional
Toppings
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Avocado
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Brown ground beef with the diced onion and green chiles. Drain excess fat.
- Add the rest of the beef ingredients except for the corn flour slurry.
- Cook for 10 minutes on medium-low heat.
- Thicken with corn flour slurry until your desired consistency is reached.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place tortilla in and layer cheese on half.
- Spread ground beef mixture on cheese, toss on a few black beans if you want, and sprinkle more cheese on top.
- Cook until the tortilla is browned and crispy, and flip and brown the other side.
- Serve hot with your favorite fixings.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 821Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 153mgSodium: 792mgCarbohydrates: 77gFiber: 11gSugar: 20gProtein: 57g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.
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