Ground Beef Cheesy Quesadillas

Category: Dinner Ideas That Actually Work

Enjoy golden, crispy tortillas filled with savory ground beef, homemade taco seasoning, and plenty of melted cheese. The beef is browned with a blend of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and tomato paste for rich flavor. Cheese is layered generously between flour tortillas and beef, then browned in butter until perfectly melted and golden. Slice into wedges and serve hot with creamy guacamole and tangy sour cream for a satisfying meal everyone will love. This easy dish comes together in just 40 minutes and is great for a quick dinner or snack.

Clare Recipes
Created By Lily Chen
Updated on Wed, 18 Jun 2025 22:24:15 GMT
A plate of ground beef quesadillas. Save
A plate of ground beef quesadillas. | lilicooks.com

If you crave something crispy and cheesy for dinner but need it to be quick and satisfying these ground beef quesadillas fill every need. Each bite bursts with seasoned beef and melty cheese tucked inside a golden tortilla. I make these whenever we want a little Tex-Mex comfort food but with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.

The sizzle of beef browning always reminds me of the Taco Tuesdays in my house when everyone is vying for the crispiest piece. My kids call these “the best quesadillas ever.”

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: look for 90 percent lean as it gives you the beefy flavor with less excess grease to drain
  • Homemade taco seasoning: lets you control salt and spice level and always tastes fresher budget friendly too
  • Tomato paste: brings umami richness and helps the beef mixture cling together
  • Water: makes the seasoning stick to every piece and keeps the meat juicy
  • Flour tortillas: burrito sized hold more filling without tearing aim for fresh pliable tortillas
  • Shredded Mexican cheese: meltability is key so use a blend like Monterey Jack and cheddar for best stretch and flavor
  • Butter: adds a golden crisp finish to the tortillas without making them greasy
  • Guacamole and sour cream: these creamy sides balance the spice and add a cool element

For the Homemade Taco Seasoning

  • Chili powder: brings mild heat and deep color
  • Garlic powder: adds aromatics choose a fresh potent powder for best results
  • Ground cumin: provides warmth with earthy complexity
  • Smoked paprika: infuses a smoky depth opt for Spanish or Hungarian for flavor
  • Table salt: boosts every other flavor in the mix
  • Onion powder: pulls everything together and gives a savory base
  • Oregano: highlights a herby note and pairs well with cumin

Step-by-Step Instructions

Brown the Beef:
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat breaking it up thoroughly so every piece cooks evenly until there’s no pink left about eight minutes
Make the Seasoning Mix:
While beef is cooking whisk together chili powder garlic powder cumin smoked paprika salt onion powder and oregano in a small bowl ensuring even distribution for maximum impact
Season and Simmer:
Reduce the skillet to medium then add your spice blend tomato paste and water stirring to coat every morsel simmer for two to three minutes until all liquid is reduced into a thick saucy beef mixture
Assemble the Quesadillas:
Place a tortilla flat on your counter sprinkle a quarter cup cheese over half of it then spoon on the beef mixture top with another quarter cup of cheese fold the tortilla in half repeat for all tortillas
Toast and Crisp:
Melt a little butter in a skillet over medium heat then add two assembled quesadillas cooking each side for two to four minutes until crispy and golden brown and cheese is thoroughly melted
Slice and Serve:
Remove quesadillas from heat slice into wedges using a sharp knife and serve right away with generous dollops of guacamole and sour cream on the side
A stack of quesadillas with ground beef inside. Save
A stack of quesadillas with ground beef inside. | lilicooks.com

The blend of smoked paprika and cumin is what gives these quesadillas their unforgettable depth. My favorite memory is making these for a movie night with my family and watching everyone reach for seconds before the opening credits ended.

Storage Tips

Leftover quesadillas store best in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To revive the crispy texture reheat on a dry skillet or in your oven at 350 degrees for about eight minutes flipping once. Avoid microwaving for best texture as the tortilla can soften too much.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap ground turkey or chicken for beef if you want a lighter version. For a gluten free option choose corn tortillas but note they tend to be smaller and require a gentler hand when folding. Vegan cheese melts well too but aim for a high quality shred that stretches.

Serving Suggestions

Pair with fresh pico de gallo for a punch of brightness or set up a topping bar with jalapenos salsa and chopped cilantro for a festive dinner. They make a great party snack appetizer or game day fuel. Add black beans or roasted corn as filling to bulk them up further.

Cultural Context

Quesadillas originate from Mexican cuisine and in their simplest form combine tortilla and cheese but fillings like seasoned ground beef are popular in Tex-Mex cooking across the US. This recipe blends traditional preparation with the classic American love for cheesy beefy comfort food.

A stack of ground beef quesadillas. Save
A stack of ground beef quesadillas. | lilicooks.com

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use a different cheese blend?

Absolutely! While shredded Mexican cheese melts best, cheddar or Monterey Jack also work well for these quesadillas.

→ How do I keep the quesadillas crispy?

Cook them in a skillet with a little butter over medium heat and avoid overfilling to get crispy, golden tortillas.

→ Is homemade taco seasoning necessary?

Homemade seasoning brings fresh flavor, but you can substitute your favorite store-bought taco blend if preferred.

→ Can these be made ahead of time?

You can prepare the beef filling in advance. Assemble and cook the quesadillas just before serving for best texture.

→ What are the best toppings for serving?

Serve with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, or pickled jalapeños for extra flavor and creaminess.

Ground Beef Cheesy Quesadillas

Crispy tortillas stuffed with taco-spiced beef and melted cheese; perfect with guacamole and sour cream.

Preparation Time
~
Cooking Time
40 min
Overall Time
40 min
Created By: Lily Chen

Category: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Cuisine Type: Mexican

Output: 4 Serves

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients

→ For the Quesadillas

01 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
02 1 batch Homemade Taco Seasoning
03 1 tablespoon tomato paste
04 ½ cup water
05 4 burrito-sized flour tortillas
06 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
07 1 tablespoon butter
08 Guacamole and sour cream for serving

→ For the Homemade Taco Seasoning

09 1 tablespoon chili powder
10 1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 ½ teaspoon table salt
14 ½ teaspoon onion powder
15 ½ teaspoon oregano

Steps

Step 01

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.

Step 02

While the beef cooks, mix together all the spices for the Homemade Taco Seasoning in a small bowl.

Step 03

Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the taco seasoning, tomato paste, and ½ cup water. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and the beef is well coated. Remove from heat.

Step 04

Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface. Sprinkle ¼ cup of cheese over one half of the tortilla. Spread some of the beef mixture evenly on top of the cheese. Sprinkle another ¼ cup of cheese over the beef. Fold the tortilla in half. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

Step 05

Melt ½ teaspoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place two quesadillas in the skillet and cook for 2–4 minutes per side, until golden brown, crispy, and the cheese is fully melted. Repeat with the remaining quesadillas, adding more butter as needed.

Step 06

Slice the quesadillas into wedges and serve warm with guacamole and sour cream.

Required Tools

  • Large skillet
  • Small bowl
  • Spoon
  • Knife

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.
  • Contains gluten (flour tortillas)
  • Contains dairy (cheese, butter, sour cream)

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.
  • Calories: 650
  • Fats: 36 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 42 g