Cheesy, crispy, and loaded with delicious flavor, this beef quesadilla is one of the easiest recipes that you can make for a quick lunch or a party with your friends.
Ready in under 30 minutes, this ground beef quesadilla it’s my family-favorite dinner or lunch since it’s super easy to prepare using a few simple ingredients. And the best part is that you can add other ingredients according to your taste.
What’s not to love about this delicious beef quesadilla recipe? Just think about a beefy mixture and melted cheese between two crispy tortillas; it sounds delicious, right?
What Is Quesadilla?
Quesadilla is a Mexican recipe made from a corn or flour tortilla stuffed with cheese, meat, and other fillings.
Quesadillas are usually heated on a skillet or griddle until the outside is lightly browned and the cheese inside has melted. They can be served as an appetizer, snack, or main dish, depending on what you put inside.
Popular fillings include various types of meat like beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, or fish; vegetables such as peppers and onions, beans, or corn.
In short, quesadillas are versatile meals that make great snacks for any occasion – from weeknight dinners to weekend get-togethers with friends.
Why Are You Going To Love This Beef Quesadilla Recipe
- Super easy to make in under 30 minutes.
- Packed with flavor and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- The beef filling is well seasoned and topped with plenty of ooey-gooey cheese.
- The tortilla gets ultra crispy and perfectly golden brown.
- It’s perfect for meal prep. Just cook the ground beef mixture and assemble the quesadilla when ready to eat.
Ingredients Needed
You’ll be surprised to discover that you can prepare such delicious keto beef quesadilla with just a few easy ingredients that are super common. Here is a list of everything you need:
- Tortillas – my keto friends, look for tortillas specifically labeled as low carb or keto-friendly.
- Cheese – I love using Monterey Jack, but you can use Oaxaca Cheese, Colby Jack, cheddar cheese, or even mozzarella. Choose a shredded cheese that melts to create that delicious gooey texture.
- Olive Oil – you can also use avocado or olive oil.
- Garlic – use fresh minced garlic for an intense flavor.
- Onion – Finely chop a medium-sized onion. It adds a subtle sweetness to balance the flavors.
- Ground Beef – I use 85% lean beef meat since I don’t want to drain tons of fat.
- Bell Peppers – Dice a red bell pepper to provide a fresh and slightly sweet taste. It also adds a vibrant color to the filling.
- Canned Corn: Use about ½ cup of canned corn kernels to add a hint of sweetness and texture to the filling.
- Tomato Paste -Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste to enhance the overall flavor.
Spice Mix
- Garlic Powder: Use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder for a concentrated garlic flavor.
- Onion Powder: Add ½ teaspoon of onion powder to enhance the savory taste.
- Oregano: Include ½ teaspoon of oregano for an earthy and aromatic note.
- Chili Powder: Use 1 teaspoon of chili powder to give your quesadilla a mild kick of heat and smokiness.
- Ground Cumin: Include ½ teaspoon of ground cumin for a warm and nutty flavor.
- Black Pepper: Add ¼ teaspoon of black pepper to enhance the overall seasoning.
How To Make The Best Beef Quesadilla
It’s incredibly easy to make this low-carb beef quesadilla at home using just one pan and 5 minutes of prep. Here are the instructions that you need to follow:
Make the Beef Filling
Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan, add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook for a few minutes until soft and tender.
Add the ground beef, and seasonings, and cook over medium heat until it’s no longer pink. Then add the chopped bell pepper and cook for 5 more minutes.
Add the tomato paste and stir until well combined.
Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes and let all the flavor meld.
Finally remove from heat and set aside while you prepare the tortillas.
Assemble the Beef Quesadilla
Place a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
Place one tortilla in the skillet, add some shredded cheese on half of the tortilla, then add a few tablespoons of ground beef mixture.
Lastly, sprinkle more cheese overtop before folding them into halves and pressing down gently with a spatula so they stay together nicely during cooking.
Cook for two minutes on each side, and once both sides are evenly cooked, all that’s left to do is cut each quesadilla into slices and serve them hot right away!
Tips and Recipe Variations
- Choose lean ground beef with a relatively low fat content to ensure a healthier and less greasy filling.
- Feel free to add some veggies to the filling. Bell peppers and mushrooms will work great.
- Pay attention to the quesadillas while cooking in the pan since they may burn quickly.
- Use the quesadilla spice mix mentioned in the previous instructions (garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, chili powder, ground cumin, and black pepper) to season the beef filling.
- When assembling the quesadillas, distribute the shredded cheese evenly on one half of the tortilla. This allows the cheese to melt and bind the filling together. Avoid placing too much cheese near the edges to prevent excessive leakage while cooking.
Storing Ideas
- Fridge: You can store any quesadilla leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To reheat: you can reheat the leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop for a few minutes.
Can I Freeze the Beef Quesadilla?
Yes, you can store these beef quesadillas in the freezer.
The first step is to cool any remaining quesadillas before wrapping them up. Once cooled, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Label these packages with the date of preparation and store them for up to 2 months.
Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How To Freeze Beef Quesadillas
Serving Ideas
Another great thing about this recipe is that it can be served in many different ways to create a delicious and complete lunch recipe.
Here are some great side dishes ideas for this keto beef quesadilla:
- French Fries
- Guacamole
- Pico De Gallo
- Roasted Vegetables
- Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Fried Rice
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quesadilla Keto-Friendly?
Unfortunately, classic beef quesadillas made with corn flour tortillas, and other high in carbs ingredients are not keto-friendly.
But you can still enjoy the classic quesadilla flavors by replacing some ingredients with low-carb and keto ones to create the best keto beef quesadilla recipe.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?
Definitely, this recipe is great for meal prep. All you have to do is to prepare the filling up to 1 day in advance, then assemble the quesadilla as we did in this recipe whenever you are hungry.
Can I Make This Quesadilla Recipe With Other Type Of Meat?
Sure, there is no rule which says that quesadilla is made only with ground beef. You could always swap the beef meat with ground chicken or turkey.
Can I Make Vegetarian Quesadilla?
Sure, if you want a veggie option for this recipe, you can skip the ground beef and replace it with a mix of cooked vegetables like the one from our Vegetable Omelette. Trust me; it will taste incredibly delicious.
What’s The Best Cheese For Quesadilla?
Cheese it’s an important ingredient when preparing a quesadilla since it acts like “glue.” Therefore, the best cheese for a quesadilla is the melting one, like Monterey Jack, cheddar, or mozzarella cheese.
More Mexican Inspired Recipes
Beef Quesadilla
Description
Ingredients
- 8 low carb tortillas
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese shredded
Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- ½ cup canned corn
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
Quesadilla Spice Mix
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp oregano
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ black pepper
Instructions
- Start With The Beef Filling
- Heat one tbsp of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender.
- Add the ground beef, quesadilla seasonings mix. Cook until no longer pink, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Now you can add the chopped pepper and cook for 5 more minutes until the pepper is tender.
- Add the tomato paste and canned corn and stir until everything is well combined.
- Cook for a few more minutes and set aside.
- Assemble the Beef Quesadilla
- Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat (without adding any oil).
- Add one tortilla to the skillet, sprinkle shredded cheese on half of the tortilla, add a few tablespoons (about 1/3 cup) of the ground beef mixture, and top with more cheese.
- Fold the tortilla in half and cook for 2 minutes on each side until the cheese is melted.
- Remove the beef quesadilla from the skillet and repeat the process with the rest of the beef mixture.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
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