Beef Quesadillas with Salsa (Printable)

Tender beef and cheese folded in tortillas, served with fresh salsa and creamy guacamole for a flavorful twist.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Quesadillas

01 - 14 oz ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - ½ tsp chili powder
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper
11 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
13 - 8 medium flour tortillas

→ Fresh Salsa

14 - 3 ripe tomatoes, diced
15 - ½ small red onion, finely chopped
16 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
18 - Juice of 1 lime
19 - ¼ tsp salt

→ Guacamole

20 - 2 ripe avocados
21 - 1 small tomato, diced
22 - 2 tbsp chopped red onion
23 - 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
24 - Juice of 1 lime
25 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon; cook until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes.
03 - Sprinkle in ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat.
04 - Combine shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese in a bowl.
05 - Lay a tortilla flat and spread one quarter of the cheese blend over half. Add one quarter of the beef mixture on top, then fold tortilla to form a half-moon. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
06 - Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook quesadillas for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese melts. Keep warm.
07 - Combine diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl; mix well.
08 - Scoop avocados into a bowl and mash with a fork. Stir in tomato, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
09 - Slice quesadillas into wedges and serve immediately with fresh salsa and guacamole.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spiced beef and double cheese combo creates layers of flavor that taste way more impressive than the effort required.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknights when you need real food fast.
  • The fresh salsa and creamy guacamole add brightness that balances the richness beautifully.
02 -
  • Do not overfill the tortillas or the cheese will ooze out everywhere when you flip them, trust me on this one.
  • Medium heat is key for cooking the quesadillas, too high and the outside burns before the cheese melts.
  • Making the salsa and guacamole while the beef cools keeps everything timed perfectly and the flavors fresh.
03 -
  • Let the cooked quesadillas rest for a minute before slicing so the cheese sets slightly and does not all spill out.
  • Use a pizza cutter to slice the quesadillas into clean, even wedges without squishing the filling.
  • If your skillet is small, keep finished quesadillas warm in a low oven while you cook the rest.

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