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- 1 pound ground beef - 4 large flour tortillas - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese The main ingredients create the base of our smashburger quesadillas. The ground beef is the star. It brings a rich, savory flavor. The flour tortillas hold everything together. They add a nice bite. The cheese varieties melt beautifully and add creaminess. Cheddar and Monterey Jack blend well for a tasty kick. - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes - 1/4 cup pickles, diced - 1/4 cup diced red onion - 1 tablespoon onion powder - 1 tablespoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - Salt and pepper to taste Diced tomatoes and pickles add freshness and crunch. The red onion gives a bit of bite. Seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika enhance the beef’s flavor. Salt and pepper round out the taste, making every bite delicious. - 1/4 cup mayonnaise - 1 tablespoon ketchup The dipping sauce is simple yet tasty. Mixing mayonnaise and ketchup creates a creamy, tangy dip. This sauce pairs perfectly with the crispy quesadilla. It adds a nice contrast to the warm flavors. Enjoy this quick and easy dip with each bite! {{ingredient_image_1}} - In a mixing bowl, combine 1 pound ground beef with 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. - Mix well until everything is evenly combined. - Divide this seasoned beef into four equal parts. - Shape each part into a small, flat patty. This helps achieve that smashburger effect. - Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. - Once hot, press each patty onto the skillet. - Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until it’s browned. - Flip and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes. - The patties should be fully cooked through. Remove them and let them cool for a bit. - Grab a large flour tortilla. - On one half, layer 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese. - Add one smashburger patty on top. - Sprinkle 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup diced pickles, and 1/4 cup diced red onion over the patty. - Top with more cheese and fold the tortilla in half. - In the same skillet, add a little cooking oil. - Place the folded quesadilla in the skillet. - Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until crispy and golden. - Flip it and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes. - Remove and let cool for a minute. - Cut it into wedges and enjoy! To avoid soggy tortillas, I recommend using a small amount of oil in your skillet. Heat it until hot before adding the quesadilla. This way, the tortilla gets crispy. Use medium-high heat to achieve that perfect golden-brown color. Flip the quesadilla gently to keep all the fillings inside. Adding spices can elevate your quesadilla. Besides the onion and garlic powders, try a pinch of chili powder or cumin for a kick. For sauces, consider hot sauce for heat or barbecue sauce for sweetness. You can also add extra fillings like cooked bacon or sautéed peppers for more flavor. When cutting the quesadilla, use a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Cut it into wedges for easy serving. For visual appeal, place the wedges on a colorful plate. Add a small bowl of dipping sauce in the center. Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro for a pop of color. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh ground beef and vegetables to enhance the flavor of your quesadillas. Even Cooking: Ensure your skillet is hot enough before adding the quesadilla to achieve a crispy texture on both sides. Experiment with Cheese: Feel free to mix different types of cheese such as pepper jack or gouda for an extra flavor twist. Customize Your Fillings: Add your favorite toppings like jalapeños or avocado for a personalized touch to your quesadillas. {{image_2}} You can switch up the meat in your quesadillas. Ground turkey or chicken works great. If you prefer a meat-free option, try black beans or lentils. Each choice adds a unique taste and texture. Ground turkey has a mild flavor, while chicken can give a nice bite. When using beans or lentils, season them well to add flavor. Cheese makes quesadillas special. You can use a mix of cheeses for more flavor. Try pepper jack for a spicy kick or gouda for a smoky taste. Blend different cheeses like feta or provolone to surprise your taste buds. The melting cheese holds the fillings together, creating a delicious bite. Add fun flavors by including jalapeños or hot sauce. These ingredients bring heat and excitement. You can also try adding barbecue sauce or salsa for a twist. Experiment with fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions for extra brightness. Tweak the flavors to suit your own taste, and make this dish your own! To store leftovers, let the quesadillas cool first. Wrap each one in plastic wrap or foil. Place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh for up to three days in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, you can enjoy them warm and crispy! For the best taste, reheat the quesadillas in a skillet. Heat the skillet over medium heat. Cook each side for about three minutes. This keeps the outside crispy and warm. You can also use an oven. Preheat it to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about ten minutes. This method also helps maintain that great crunch. To freeze quesadillas, wrap each one in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. They can stay fresh for up to three months. To reheat, take them out of the freezer and let them thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, follow the skillet method to enjoy a hot, crispy quesadilla again! A serving of Smashburger Quesadillas has about 600 calories. You get protein from the beef and cheese. Each quesadilla packs around 30 grams of protein. The cheese adds calcium, which is good for your bones. Plus, the tomatoes and pickles give you some vitamins. Keep in mind that these quesadillas have fats from the cheese and oil, so enjoy them in moderation. Yes, you can prep these quesadillas ahead of time. Cook the beef and let it cool down. Assemble the quesadillas but don’t fry them yet. Wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready, just heat a skillet and fry them until crispy. This saves time when you want a quick meal. Yes, you can find gluten-free tortillas at most stores. Look for brands made from rice or corn. Just ensure they are labeled gluten-free. Be careful about cross-contamination if you have a gluten allergy. Always check the labels to keep your meal safe and tasty. Smashburger quesadillas are fun and tasty. We covered the main ingredients like ground beef, flour tortillas, and cheese. I shared steps for cooking and assembling, plus tips to avoid sogginess. Experiment with different meats and cheeses to find your favorite blend. You can store leftovers carefully and enjoy them later. Smashburger quesadillas are easy to customize for any taste. Try them today and enjoy a new twist on a classic dish!

Smashburger Quesadillas

Delicious quesadillas filled with seasoned smashburger patties and melted cheese.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 half cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 quarter cup pickles, diced
  • 1 quarter cup diced red onion
  • 1 quarter cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • as needed Cooking oil for frying

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until well incorporated.
  • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Divide the seasoned beef into four equal portions. Form each section into a small, flat patty. Press each patty onto the hot skillet, flattening it to create a smashburger effect. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and let them cool slightly.
  • Place a tortilla on a clean surface. Layer half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over one half of the tortilla. On top of the cheese, add one smashburger patty, followed by diced tomatoes, pickles, and red onion. Top with the remaining cheese and fold the tortilla in half to encase the filling.
  • In the same skillet, add a small amount of cooking oil. Once hot, place the folded quesadilla in the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until crispy and golden, then flip and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes.
  • Remove from the skillet and let cool for a minute. Cut the quesadilla into wedges.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and ketchup for a tasty dipping sauce.
  • Serve the quesadilla wedges hot with the dipping sauce on the side.

Notes

Serve with a dipping sauce for added flavor.
Keyword beef, cheese, quesadilla, smashburger