Description
Cheesy, zesty beef wrapped in crispy whole wheat tortillas with smoky seasonings. Bold flavors, gooey cheese, and a hearty texture make this Mexican-inspired dish perfect for a quick dinner.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
1 ½ tablespoons tomato paste
1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup water
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
4 large whole wheat tortillas
Oil or butter to coat pan
Instructions
Prep ingredients: Gather all items and shred tortillas if needed
Sear ground beef: Heat skillet over medium-high; add beef, let crust 2 minutes before breaking into pieces
Season and brown: Add tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and water; cook 5–7 minutes
Assemble base: Spread ½ cup cheese on each tortilla half, add ¼ beef mixture, then top with remaining cheese
Cook quesadillas: Melt butter in skillet; place folded quesadillas and press gently. Rotate until golden (4–5 minutes per side)
Finish and serve: Cool on cutting board, slice into 4 wedges, and serve
Notes
Use extra virgin olive oil for better flavor
Whole wheat tortillas add heartiness
Monterey Jack cheese melts best; substitute with mozzarella if unavailable
Guacamole or sour cream make excellent toppings
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg