Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
*This post may contain affiliate links. See our affiliate policy here.
Gooey, cheesy ground beef quesadillas are the perfect weeknight meal for both kids and adults. Made in about thirty minutes, this delicious recipe combines savory seasoned ground beef, tender corn and gooey cheese all toasted between layers of golden brown tortilla.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
- Great Easy Dinner Or Lunch – Cheesy ground beef quesadillas are an easy delicious dinner or lunch that are perfect for a when you didn’t really plan. Most of these ingredients I usually have on hand in my refrigerator, freezer or pantry.
- Kid Friendly Meal– These cheesy quesadillas are pretty kid friendly and is usually a pretty easy family pleaser for kids and adults of all ages. Serve with your favorite salsa, sour cream or guacamole for dipping!
- Leftovers Are Delicious– I like to make a big batch of quesadillas when I can make them ahead because my family is always willing to eat the leftovers!
If your family loves these quesadillas, my Mexican Stuffed Shells are another great option to batch ahead with similar flavors. This is a fun recipe with a fusion twist!
Ingredients For Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions below in the recipe card.
- oil olive oil or other cooking oil
- onion diced, I prefer white sweet onion but purple onion, yellow onion or white onion can be used
- ground beef I prefer 90/10 but 80/20 can also work
- taco seasoning
- garlic powder
- paprika
- salt
- tomato paste
- salsa use your favorite!
- frozen corn – or you can also use black bean corn salsa
- flour tortillas I used “soft taco sized”, anywhere from 6-8 inch tortillas works best. I prefer flour tortillas over corn tortillas for quesadillas as they hold together a little easier when you bend and flip them for a quesadilla
- cheddar cheese or Monterey jack cheese shredded, a Mexican blend of cheese can also be used.
How To Make Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
- In a large wide pan or skillet, place the oil and warm it up over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes. Add the diced onion to the oil and saute for 3-4 minutes or until the onion begins to brown.
- Place the ground beef in the pan and begin browning it. After a minute or two and the ground beef has started to brown, break up the ground beef and continue stirring until it is no longer pink, about 4-5 minutes. Drain grease from the meat well before continuing.
- Place the pan back over low heat. To the ground beef add taco seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, tomato paste, salsa and frozen corn. Turn the heat on the burner up to medium-high. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the corn is warm, then turn off the burner and set the pan of meat to the side.
- Place a tortilla in the middle of a large cutting board. Add a sprinkle of cheese (about two tablespoons) to half of the tortilla. Add a few spoonfuls of the ground beef mixture (about ¼ cup) over the cheese then top with another sprinkle of cheese (about 2 tablespoons.) Fold the tortilla in half to make a half moon shape. Repeat for each quesadilla.
- Turn the heat to medium high and spray a clean skillet lightly with oil. Place a quesadilla carefully in the pan and heat each side for about 1-2 minutes or until golden brown, then remove with a spatula and set to the side. Repeat with each quesadilla until they are all golden brown, adding a little more pan spray about every two quesadillas. (The first quesadilla almost always takes a little longer to brown, and each one tends to brown a little faster than the last when cooking.)
- Slice each quesadilla in half into triangles, then serve and enjoy with your favorite toppings.
Quesadilla Variation Ideas
Quesadillas are pretty flexible, you can customize the toppings to make your favorite. Quesadillas can be great for a crowd because everyone can add their favorite items.
Try Adding Beans– Beans can be mixed into the meat mixture, or used in place of the meat. Try black beans, pinto beans or even use some refried beans. If using canned beans in liquid, be sure to drain them before heating them in the meat mixture is the best way and will give you the best results.
Swap The Cheese– You can use your favorite cheese blend in this recipe. You can use your favorite cheese blend in this recipe or even a mexican cheese blend. Use a melty cheese for best results.
Add Vegetables– Bell pepper, onions and mushrooms are my go to vegetables to add and give these quesadillas a fajitas spin.
Swap Ground Turkey– Lean ground turkey or even ground chicken can be swapped into this recipe and is still delicious!
Try It With Chicken – Rotisserie chicken or other leftover chicken can be swapped into this recipe. Leftovers from my baked salsa chicken or even from the cheesy Mexican chicken and rice are perfect in this recipe! Just heat it up with the seasonings and enjoy!
Use Leftover Steak Or Pork– While cooking mexican style steak or pork is a little more complicated for a quick meal, if you have leftovers you can for sure swap the ground beef to make steak quesadillas or pork quesadillas.
Add Green Chiles– Green chiles add amazing flavor, I usually will add 2-3 ounces of canned green chillis to the meat mixture at the same time I add the salsa. Draining them first will help you keep the crispy shell on the quesadilla.
Making quesadillas for a group can take a little time heating them up individually in the pan. Making Baked Quesadillas in the oven can speed up the process.
What To Make With Beef Quesadillas
Quesadillas are delicious all on their own, but can be even more delicious with something to dip them in or a side. Try some of these ideas with your quesadillas
- Easy Blender Salsa – Quick, easy and tastes just like the restaurants! You can adjust the spice to your own preference with this easy blender salsa.
- 10 Minute Black Bean And Corn Salsa – Make things even more fun with a black bean and corn salsa that is mild and delicious.
- Fresh Homemade Guacamole – Nothing beats fresh guacamole, it’s so creamy and delish!
- Black Salsa Bean Soup- This soup is so easy, uses pantry ingredients and makes a great side!
How Long Will Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas Last?
Store leftover quesadillas in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator. Expect these quesadillas to last about three days.
FAQ For Making Quesadillas
The best way I have found to reheat quesadillas is to put them back in a pan and heat them there. They can also be reheated in the oven. I have found when I try to microwave them, the quesadillas become too soggy.
The first quesadilla always tends to be a little lighter in brown color, and many people then turn the heat up. Give the plan enough time to heat up, and then after the first quesadilla trying nudging down the heat a little before cooking the second quesadilla. Keep adjusting the heat as needed, and add a light spray of oil every 2-3 quesadillas.
It is usually easiest to flip along the folded side of the quesadilla and to flip quickly with a large spatula. I pull up the edge just a little to see if the tortilla has started to become golden brown. Once the quesadilla is golden brown it is easier to flip as the brown side of the quesadilla becomes crunchy instead of floppy.
You can cook more than one quesadilla together in the pan. Be sure to use the largest pan you have and make sure both quesadillas easily fit without touching or they may stick together accidentally.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes You Will Love
Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos
Easy Beef Burrito Bowl (All In One Pot!)
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Taco Dip With Ground Beef (7 Layer Dip!)
Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon oil olive oil or other cooking oil
- ¼ onion diced
- 1 pound ground beef I prefer 90/10 but 80/20 can also work
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup salsa use your favorite tomato salsa!
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 8 inch flour tortillas I used “soft taco sized”, anywhere from 6-8 inch tortillas works best
- 3 cups cheddar cheese or Monterey jack cheese, about 8 ounces
Instructions
- In a large wide pan or large skillet, place the oil and warm it up over medium high heat for 1-2 minutes. Add the diced onion to the oil and saute for 3-4 minutes or until the onion begins to brown.
- Place the ground beef in the pan and begin browning it. After a minute or two and the ground beef has started to brown, break up the ground beef and continue stirring until it is no longer pink, about 4-5 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the meat.
- Place the pan back over low heat. To the ground beef add taco seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, tomato paste, salsa and frozen corn. Turn the heat on the burner up to medium-high. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the corn is warm, then turn off the burner and set the pan of meat to the side.
- Place a tortilla in the middle of a large cutting board. Add a sprinkle of cheese (about two tablespoons) to half of the tortilla. Add a few spoonfuls of the ground beef mixture (about ¼ cup) over the cheese then top with another sprinkle of cheese (about 2 tablespoons.) Fold the tortilla in half to make a half moon shape. Repeat for each quesadilla.
- Turn the heat to medium high and spray a clean skillet lightly with oil. Place a quesadilla carefully in the pan and heat each side for about 1-2 minutes or until golden brown, then remove with a spatula and set to the side. Repeat with each quesadilla until they are all golden brown, adding a little more pan spray about every two quesadillas. (The first quesadilla almost always takes a little longer to brown, and each one tends to brown a little faster than the last when cooking.)
- Slice each quesadilla in half into triangles, then serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This?
I would love to see it! Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!
Delicious and simple!
Yum! Ground beef is such a great addition to a quesadilla. I love the addition of corn! Adds some texture that makes this 10/10