Description
Cheeseburger Quesadillas: Classic cheeseburger flavors in a fun, easy quesadilla. Ground beef, cheddar, mozzarella, pickles, and special sauce layered in a tortilla, cooked until golden and gooey.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 8 large flour tortillas (burrito size, about 10–12 inches)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup dill pickle slices, chopped
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Filling: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to combine all the spices with the beef and onion mixture. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
- Make the Cheeseburger Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, yellow mustard, mayonnaise, and sweet pickle relish. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Assemble the Quesadillas: Lay out one flour tortilla on a clean, flat surface. Spread a thin layer of the cheeseburger sauce evenly over the entire tortilla, leaving a small border around the edge.
- Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce-covered tortilla. Make sure to distribute the cheese evenly.
- Spoon about 1/2 cup of the cooked ground beef mixture over the cheese. Spread it out in an even layer.
- Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the chopped dill pickle slices over the beef.
- Top with another 1/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Carefully fold the tortilla in half, pressing down gently to seal the edges.
- Repeat steps 5-10 with the remaining tortillas, cheeseburger sauce, cheese, beef mixture, and pickles until all the quesadillas are assembled.
- Cook the Quesadillas: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Carefully place two quesadillas in the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook them in batches.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Remove the cooked quesadillas from the skillet and place them on a cutting board.
- Repeat steps 12-15 with the remaining butter and quesadillas.
- Serve: Let the cooked quesadillas cool for a minute or two before cutting them into wedges. Cut each quesadilla into 3 or 4 wedges. Serve immediately with extra cheeseburger sauce for dipping, if desired.
Notes
- Don’t skip draining the grease from the ground beef, it will make your quesadillas soggy!
- Don’t overload the quesadilla, or it will be difficult to fold and cook.
- Keep an eye on the heat when cooking the quesadillas, you don’t want to burn the tortillas! If they are browning too quickly, reduce the heat slightly.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture for extra heat. You can also use a spicier cheese blend, such as pepper jack.
- Add some veggies: Sauté some diced bell peppers or mushrooms along with the onion for added flavor and nutrients.
- Use different cheese: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as provolone, Swiss, or even a little bit of crumbled blue cheese.
- Make it vegetarian: Substitute the ground beef with plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu.
- Add bacon: Cook some bacon until crispy and crumble it over the beef mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- Use different sauces: Try using different sauces, such as Thousand Island dressing, Big Mac sauce, or even a spicy sriracha mayo.
- Make it a pizza quesadilla: Add some pepperoni slices and marinara sauce to the quesadilla for a pizza-inspired twist.
- Grilling Option: You can also grill these quesadillas! Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the assembled quesadillas on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the tortillas are golden brown and the cheese is melted. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Oven Option: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the assembled quesadillas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Freezing Instructions: These quesadillas can be made ahead of time and frozen for a quick and easy meal. Assemble the quesadillas as directed, but do not cook them. Wrap each quesadilla tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw the quesadillas in the refrigerator overnight. Cook as directed.
- Make it a breakfast quesadilla: Scramble some eggs and add them to the quesadilla along with the beef and cheese for a hearty breakfast.
- Add avocado: Top the cooked quesadillas with some sliced avocado for a creamy and healthy addition.
- Use whole wheat tortillas: For a healthier option, use whole wheat tortillas instead of white flour tortillas.
- Don’t overfill: It’s tempting to load up the quesadillas with lots of filling, but resist the urge! Overfilling will make them difficult to fold and cook, and the filling may spill out.
- Press down gently: When folding the quesadillas, press down gently to seal the edges. This will help prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
- Use a non-stick skillet: Using a non-stick skillet will help prevent the quesadillas from sticking and burning.
- Adjust the cooking time: The cooking time may vary depending on your skillet and stove. Keep an eye on the quesadillas and adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Let them cool slightly: Let the cooked quesadillas cool for a minute or two before cutting them into wedges. This will prevent the cheese from oozing out too much.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes