Get ready for a flavor-packed dinner with these easy, cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas. Packed with savory Mexican flavors, this recipe is an instant crowd-pleaser. With a flavorful ground beef filling nestled between crispy tortillas, they're perfect for any night of the week. Plus, we've got you covered with easy-to-follow steps, including tips for prepping them as freezer meals.
2tablespoonsbutter(Dairy-Free Option: cooking spray or olive oil)
16soft taco-sized tortillas(Gluten-Free Option: Use corn tortillas or gluten-free tortillas)
4cupsshredded cheddar cheese
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Instructions
Make the Beef Filling:
In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion until it begins to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Add in the ground beef and cumin. Break up and cook the beef until it is no longer pink, about 5 minutes or so. Drain off the excess grease.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the corn, black beans, and salsa. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
Make the Quesadillas:
Preheat another skillet or a large griddle to medium-low heat.
Add a little softened butter (or brush on olive oil) to the outside of a tortilla. Place the tortilla on the skillet and spread about 1/4 cup of cheese and a heaping 1/2 cup of beef mixture over it. Top with another 1/4 cup of cheese and then another tortilla. Add a little more butter to the top of another tortilla.
Cook for 4-6 minutes, turning once, until the tortilla is browned and a bit firm.
Repeat Steps 2-3 until all quesadillas are done. Cut into triangles. Serve with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, or your favorite Tex Mex toppings.
Freezer Instructions
Freeze for Later: Place cooked and cooled beef filling in an airtight freezer bag or container. In a separate bag, freeze the cheese. In yet another bag, freeze the tortillas. Freeze all the bags together as a kit.Prepare From Frozen: Let all the ingredients thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Follow the quesadilla cooking instructions as directed.
Notes/Tips
Dairy-Free Option: Use cooking spray or olive oil in place of the butter. Omit the cheese. You can add in smashed avocado in place of the cheese to add richness.
Gluten-Free Option: Use corn tortillas or gluten-free tortillas.
You will have roughly 4 cups of beef filling to work with. You can add more than 1/2 cup to each quesadilla but you may end up with less quesadillas in the end.
You may be tempted to add salt to the beef mixture. But, once it is mixed with salsa, cheese, and in the tortillas, it is plenty salty.