Mexican Beef Quesadilla
Quesadilla…That ‘little cheesy thing’ that captured the hearts of people not only in North America but in different parts of the world. This dish that originated from Mexico usually consists of tortilla, meat (chicken or beef), beans, and various spices, making it flavorful and really delicious. Why do you think a lot of people go mad over this? It’s irresistible!
A Brief History
Quesadillas have been around since the 16th century. Can you imagine that? The dish has survived centuries. And even if there are new recipes out there, this Mexican food managed to be one of the favorites of millions of people across the globe. Before, the Aztec people used corn tortillas stuffed with squash and pumpkin. They were baked in clay ovens and used to be served as a dessert. Years passed by and this dish evolved. That is how quesadillas were born…
These days, quesadillas can be made with various ingredients. One of the most popular is beef, which we are going to learn today. And, no, this isn’t going to be your average quesadilla. It’s super cheesy and tasty, you’d keep asking for more!
This famous Mexican dish is not that hard to make either. In just about half an hour, you’ll have a delightful snack or even lunch or dinner meal.
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Mexican Beef Quesadilla
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Crispy tortillas, stuffed with ground beef, spices, and cheese. That’s a Mexican beef quesadilla you’ll never forget!
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
8 flour tortillas (medium)
1 1/2 cup Monterey Jack (shredded)
1/2 teaspoon each ground chili powder, paprika, and cumin
2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)
1 avocado (sliced)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion (thinly sliced)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and cook onion slices until tender.
- Add ground beef as well as the spices.
- Once the beef is thoroughly cooked, remove the pan from heat and get rid of the excess grease. Season with salt and pepper.
- Clean the pan and return to heat. Start assembling the quesadillas by sprinkling cheese onto 4 of the tortillas. Add beef, avocado, as well as cilantro. Put the second tortilla on top.
- Transfer each quesadilla into the pan and cook until both sides are golden brown.
- Put on a plate and slice into triangles.
- Serve.
Notes
When cooking the beef, try to break it up using a wooden spoon. It is highly recommended that you put the quesadilla into the pan one at a time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
How to Serve Quesadillas
Quesadillas are good when they are still hot and crispy, so you should serve them straight from the pan. You can eat them on their own. Or, better yet, choose your preferred sauce. It could be sour cream, avocado sauce, or any dip that suits your taste.
Can You Prepare Quesadillas in Advance?
Of course, you can! You can go ahead and assemble them, keep them in the freezer, and just thaw them out later on before frying. There’s nothing wrong making a huge batch. It is actually beneficial, especially if you know for a fact that you’ll have a busy week. With make-ahead quesadillas, you can always have something to munch on when you get hungry! 🙂