Simple, no-fuss quesadillas that are slightly crispy, totally cheesy and amazingly delicious! These Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas are the perfect meal for busy weeknights!
Quesadillas are good for so many reasons. They’re versatile, simple, delicious and loved by every single one of my boys. We love them in any way, shape or form. These Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas were a slam dunk the other night at our house. These bad boys are cheesy, buttery and truly spectacular.
You’ve got flavorful ground beef and lots of cheese sandwiched between two tortillas then cooked in melted butter . . .promise me you won’t skimp on the butter.
Top them off with some sour cream and guacamole and you will have pure quesadilla heaven going on at your house.
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 lb. extra lean ground beef
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce with basil, garlic and oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8 10-inch flour tortillas
- About 4 cups grated cheese (I used half sharp, half pepper jack)
- Butter
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In a large skillet, melt butter. Add chopped onion and cook until onion begins to turn transparent and edges become golden brown. Add ground beef and salt and cook until meat is no longer pink. Drain off any grease.
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Add tomato sauce and red pepper flakes and simmer for 10 minutes.
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In another large skillet melt some butter (about 1 tablespoon to start) over medium heat and place a tortilla in skillet. Sprinkle with about 1/2 cup (or enough to cover tortilla) grated cheese and then some meat mixture (about 3/4 cup). Top with another tortilla and spread butter all over top of tortilla. Cook until golden brown and then flip and cook other side until golden brown. Repeat with remaining tortillas, adding more butter to the pan as needed.
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Remove from pan and slice into triangles.
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Top with sour cream, fresh cilantro and guacamole, if desired.
If you don't have tomato sauce with basil, oregano and garlic and you just can't bring yourself to run to the store, then just use a can or regular tomato sauce and add about a 1/2 teaspoon of basil, 1/2 tsp. of oregano and a clove of garlic, minced. These would also be yummy with a can of hot Mexican tomato sauce. It would definitely give these some kick so I would leave out the red pepper flakes.
These look AMAZING. You know, I don’t know why I don’t think of quesadillas more often – they are always a favorite when I do eat them and you are right, they are so simple on busy weeknights. Love your blog!
I agree Rachel, I don’t think of making them often enough either. Hope you have a chance to make them. Thanks for the sweet comment!
Awesome meal for the family I use everything but garlic and the weed and the flakes but it was still good food thanks for posting the Recipe
Yes, these do sound wonderful, just think a salsa would be more Mexican then the garlic basil tomato sauce, just a thought 🙂
Yum! Just made this tonight! We ended up using half ground elk and half hamburger and also used cumin and chili powder with the tomato sauce! Was delish! Was telling my husband that I’m probably going to follow your blog cause I have 5 kiddos (one on the way makes 6) and your recipes sound awesome 🙂 yay for moms like us! *hugs* thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the sweet comment! Congrats on the baby and best of luck. You must be superwoman and an amazing mom to have number 6 on the way. I hope you check back often and please leave comments. Thanks again!
It does sound wonderful, I think I’m going to have to double the recipe because I can see my husband eating two or three on his own and he’s from TX and my other son just loves things like this.
I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but am I the only one that uses my George Foreman to make quesadillas? I spray the tortillas with butter spray and then layer the ingredients. Easy peasy.
Great idea Rose! I used mine for paninis, but I’ve never used it for quesadillas, I’ll have to give it a try.
Gonna try this tonight!!!!
Tried these last night and WOW were they delish! I had organic tomato sauce so I added dried oregano and garlic powder. I also added garlic salt and cracked black pepper to the burger. At the end I added a can of fire roasted diced green chiles and I felt that’s what made the dish. I’ll admit mine was a little tough to flip so I called in reinforcements (my husband) haha he still made a mess when flipping but after you take that first bite, who cares? What mess? Topped mine with sour cream. Kudos to you Jodi!
So happy you loved them. All the things you added sound delish! Thanks for sharing.
When do you add the red pepper flakes?
Hi Laurie, sorry about that. You add them with the tomato sauce. I’ve fixed it in the directions. Thanks for catching that.
Made this for my family and friends and it was a big hit! thanks so much for this delicious recipe!
You’re welcome Nyra! So glad you loved them and thanks for leaving a comment.
I was in a rush and had NO idea what to make for dinner and I only had 1 hour to prep, cook, eat. Discovered this recipe and it was AMAZING! We used beef only b/c it was what I had on hand but it was a HUGE hit. Thank you for saving me tonight!!
Hi Jess! I’m so happy these worked for you and that they were hit. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
This site has posted your recipe without attributing it to you: https://www.facebook.com/77recipes/photos/a.315162701941684.1073741828.315161945275093/920596891398259/?type=3&theater. It’s also on her blog.
Thank you so much Karen for letting me know! I really appreciate it.
Can I use pizza or pasta sauce
I’m sure that would work great.