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Crispy Cheesy Stuffed Ground Beef Quesadillas Recipe with Easy Chipotle Cream

crispy cheesy stuffed ground beef quesadillas - featured image
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A quick and easy recipe for crispy quesadillas stuffed with juicy, well-seasoned ground beef and melty cheese, served with a smoky chipotle cream sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (preferably 80/20 for juiciness)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
  • 8 large flour tortillas (10-inch), room temperature
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for frying)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (adjust heat to taste)
  • 1 tsp fresh lime juice
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in your skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Toss in the minced garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with your spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes to let the spices bloom. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. In a small bowl, combine sour cream, minced chipotle peppers, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and taste—add more chipotle if you like it spicier. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
  5. Lay one tortilla flat. Sprinkle a layer of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, about ½ cup total, evenly over half the tortilla. Spoon a generous ¼ cup of the beef filling over the cheese. Top with another ¼ cup of cheese. Fold the tortilla over to create a half-moon shape, pressing gently.
  6. Melt ½ tbsp butter in your skillet over medium heat. Place the folded quesadilla in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is golden and crispy. Carefully flip and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes, pressing lightly with a spatula to meld the layers. Repeat with remaining quesadillas, adding more butter as needed.
  7. Slice each quesadilla into thirds or quarters. Serve warm with a dollop of chipotle cream on the side or drizzled over the top.

Notes

Warm tortillas briefly in the microwave if they crack when folding. Use medium heat to avoid burning tortillas. Use a wide spatula to flip gently. Making chipotle cream ahead allows flavors to meld. For a vegetarian version, substitute beef with mushrooms or black beans. Gluten-free tortillas can be used but handle gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: quesadillas, ground beef, chipotle cream, cheesy, crispy, easy dinner, Mexican, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/crispy-cheesy-stuffed-ground-beef-quesadillas-recipe-with-easy-chipotle-cream/