Description
This Smashburger Quesadilla recipe is a quick and delicious twist on traditional quesadillas using seasoned ground beef pressed directly onto tortillas. Pan-fried to crispy perfection and melty with cheddar or American cheese, these quesadillas bring the smoky, savory flavors of a smashburger into a handheld, easy-to-make meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder, to season
Quesadilla
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or American cheese
Optional Toppings and Serving
- Pickles, diced onions, burger sauce (for serving)
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat to ensure it’s hot enough to sear the beef effectively without burning the tortillas.
- Season and Press Beef: Take a small handful of ground beef and press it flat onto one half of each flour tortilla. Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to infuse flavor into the meat.
- Cook the Beef Side: Place the tortillas beef-side down in the hot skillet. Let them cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is nicely browned and develops a crispy crust, capturing the essence of a smashburger.
- Flip and Add Cheese: Flip the tortillas so the beef side is up. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar or American cheese evenly over the cooked meat. Fold the tortilla in half, covering the beef, to form a quesadilla.
- Grill Until Crispy and Melty: Continue cooking the folded quesadilla on both sides, flipping as needed, until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is fully melted inside.
- Slice and Serve: Remove the quesadillas from the skillet and slice into wedges. Serve hot with optional pickles, diced onions, and your favorite burger sauce for dipping or topping.
Notes
- Press the beef firmly onto the tortilla to ensure it cooks evenly and adheres well.
- Use a spatula to carefully flip the quesadillas to prevent the filling from spilling.
- Feel free to customize with your favorite burger toppings inside or on the side.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili powder or hot sauce to the beef seasoning.
- For a lower fat option, use lean ground beef or turkey and reduced-fat cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
