Description
This Smashburger Quesadillas recipe combines the juicy flavor of classic smashed ground beef burgers with the cheesy goodness of quesadillas, creating a quick and delicious meal perfect for any time of day. Ready in 20 minutes and serving four, these quesadillas are crisp on the outside and melty inside, with optional toppings to customize your burger-inspired experience.
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
Quesadilla Base
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or American cheese
Optional Toppings
- Pickles, sliced
- Diced onions
- Burger sauce
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat to ensure it is hot enough for cooking the beef and crisping the tortillas.
- Prepare and season the beef: Take a small handful of ground beef and press it directly onto one half of each flour tortilla. Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to infuse flavor into the meat while it cooks.
- Cook the beef side: Place the tortilla beef-side down onto the hot skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the ground beef is browned and slightly crispy on the bottom side.
- Add cheese and fold: Flip each tortilla over so the cooked beef side is up. Sprinkle shredded cheddar or American cheese over the cooked beef, then fold the tortilla in half to create a half-moon shape containing the beef and cheese.
- Grill both sides: Continue grilling each quesadilla on the skillet, flipping as needed, until the tortilla is crispy and golden and the cheese inside has melted thoroughly, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Slice and serve: Remove quesadillas from the skillet, slice into wedges, and serve with optional burger toppings such as pickles, diced onions, or your favorite burger sauce for dipping to enhance the flavor.
Notes
- Use a spatula to press the ground beef flat for even cooking and better browning.
- You can substitute flour tortillas with whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas if preferred.
- Customize the cheese type to your liking; mozzarella or pepper jack can add different flavors.
- For extra crispiness, lightly butter the outer side of the tortilla before grilling.
- Ensure the skillet is hot before placing the tortilla to achieve a good sear on the beef and crispiness on the tortilla.
- Leftover quesadillas can be reheated in a skillet or oven to retain crispness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
