Description
This Golden Melty Quesadillas recipe is a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for feeding a group. Packed with seasoned ground beef, sautéed vegetables, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese, these quesadillas are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual get-together.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 packet taco seasoning (about 2 tablespoons)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 1 tablespoon butter or more olive oil for pan-frying
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma without burning it.
- Cook the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook it thoroughly until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula to ensure even cooking.
- Season the beef: Drain any excess grease from the beef. Stir in the taco seasoning along with a splash of water, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to incorporate the flavors.
- Add the bell pepper: Mix in the diced red bell pepper and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until it becomes slightly tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble quesadillas: Lay out the flour tortillas. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over half of each tortilla, then add a generous layer of the beef and vegetable filling. Top with more cheese and fold the tortilla over to create a half-moon shape.
- Cook quesadillas: Heat butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place a quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy, and the cheese has melted.
- Serve: Let the quesadillas rest for 1 minute before slicing into wedges. Serve warm with your choice of salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, press the quesadilla gently with a spatula while cooking.
- Use a non-stick skillet to prevent sticking and reduce the amount of butter or oil needed.
- Feel free to customize fillings by adding jalapeños, corn, or black beans for additional flavor and texture.
- These quesadillas can be made ahead and reheated in a skillet or oven to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: quesadillas, ground beef recipe, Mexican dinner, cheese quesadilla, easy dinner, skillet quesadilla, taco seasoning
