Dinner

Golden Melty Quesadillas with Beef and Cheddar Recipe

ByZoe Lane October 23, 2025October 23, 2025

Introduction

Golden melty quesadillas are a delicious and satisfying meal that comes together quickly, perfect for feeding a hungry crowd. With savory ground beef, vibrant bell peppers, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese, these quesadillas are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.

The image shows a stack of three folded quesadilla triangles on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. Each quesadilla has a golden-brown crispy tortilla with visible grill marks and small green herb pieces on top. The filling is rich and meaty, dark brown in color with chunks of cooked ground meat and small pieces of red bell pepper peeking through the edges. The layers are thinly stacked, with the tortillas slightly separating to reveal the hearty mixture inside. The image is close up, focusing on the texture and color contrast between the crispy tortilla and the juicy filling. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 large flour tortillas
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon butter or more olive oil for pan-frying

Instructions

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
Step 2: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 3: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
Step 4: Drain any excess grease from the pan. Stir in the taco seasoning and a splash of water, then simmer for 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
Step 5: Add the diced red bell pepper and cook for another 2-3 minutes until slightly tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Lay out the flour tortillas. Sprinkle cheese evenly over half of each tortilla, then add the beef mixture on top and cover with more cheese. Fold the tortillas in half.
Step 7: Heat butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the quesadillas for 2–3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese has melted.
Step 8: Let the quesadillas rest for 1 minute before slicing into wedges. Serve warm with your favorite salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add chopped jalapeños or sprinkle with fresh cilantro before folding the tortillas.
Use a mix of cheeses like Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a different melty texture.
Swap ground beef for shredded chicken or black beans to change up the protein.
Cook quesadillas in a dry non-stick pan if you prefer less oil or butter.

Storage

Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat to maintain crispiness, or microwave briefly if in a hurry. Avoid reheating in a toaster oven or oven without covering as they may dry out.