Description
This Golden Melty Quesadillas recipe features a delicious ground beef and vegetable filling combined with melted cheddar cheese inside crispy, golden flour tortillas. Perfect for feeding a crowd, these quesadillas are pan-fried until perfectly crispy and served warm with your favorite dips like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Quesadillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 1 tablespoon butter or additional olive oil for pan-frying
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Cook Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula to ensure even cooking.
- Season and Simmer: Drain excess grease from the skillet. Stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water, then simmer for 2-3 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Add Bell Pepper: Add diced red bell pepper and cook for another 2-3 minutes until slightly tender. Season the filling with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble Quesadillas: Lay out the flour tortillas on a clean surface. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over half of each tortilla, add a generous amount of the beef filling, then top with more cheese. Fold tortillas over to form half-moons.
- Pan-Fry Quesadillas: Heat butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the quesadillas for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted inside.
- Rest and Serve: Let the quesadillas rest for 1 minute before slicing into wedges. Serve warm alongside salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Notes
- Use a non-stick skillet for easier cooking and less sticking.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For extra flavor, add chopped jalapeños or a sprinkle of cumin to the beef mixture.
- To keep quesadillas warm before serving, place them in a low oven (about 200°F) on a baking sheet.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in a skillet or air fryer for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: quesadillas, ground beef, cheesy quesadillas, Mexican dinner, easy skillet recipe, taco seasoned beef, crispy tortillas
