Description
These Easy Smashburger Quesadillas combine the crispy, caramelized flavor of smashed ground beef with gooey melted cheese, all sandwiched in warm, toasted flour tortillas. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this recipe yields cheesy, flavorful quesadillas that are irresistible and customizable with your favorite burger-style toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended for best flavor)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Quesadillas
- 4 large flour tortillas (burrito-size)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or American cheese (about 1/4 cup per quesadilla)
Optional Toppings
- Pickles
- Diced onions
- Burger sauce
- Ketchup
- Mustard
Instructions
- Preheat skillet: Heat your skillet or griddle over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes until hot. Reduce to medium heat if needed to prevent burning.
- Prepare quesadilla with beef: Working with one quesadilla at a time, take about 4 oz of ground beef and press it onto one half of a tortilla. Spread it thinly, leaving a half-inch border around the edge. Season the beef evenly with a quarter of the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Cook beef-side down: Place the tortilla beef-side down onto the hot skillet. Press down firmly with a spatula for 10–15 seconds to ensure good contact and caramelization. Let it cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until the edges are brown and crispy.
- Add cheese and fold: Flip the tortilla so the beef is face up. Evenly sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded cheese over the beef. Fold the tortilla in half to form a half-moon shape. Press down gently with the spatula to seal.
- Finish cooking: Cook the quesadilla for 1–2 minutes on each side until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
- Rest and serve: Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and let it rest for 30 seconds before slicing. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and beef. Serve with optional toppings such as pickles, diced onions, and your choice of burger sauce, ketchup, or mustard.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor and juiciness.
- Pressing the beef thin helps it cook quickly and get crispy edges.
- If you prefer a milder cheese, American cheese melts beautifully.
- Customize quesadillas with toppings like pickles and burger sauce for a true smashburger vibe.
- Cook over medium heat to avoid burning the tortillas while ensuring the beef crisps up nicely.
- Resting the quesadilla briefly helps the cheese set and makes slicing easier.
