Name: Smashburger Quesadillas Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste; Garlic powder, to taste; 4 large flour tortillas; 1 cup shredded cheddar or American cheese; Pickles, sliced; Diced onions; Burger sauce, for serving

Introduction

Smashburger quesadillas combine the best of two comfort foods: juicy, seasoned ground beef and crispy, cheesy tortillas. This quick and satisfying recipe is perfect for a casual meal or game day snack.

Three triangular quesadilla pieces are stacked on top of each other on a dark wooden board. Each quesadilla has two toasted tortillas with a golden brown crispy texture on the outside. Inside, there is melted yellow and white cheese mixed with seasoned ground beef and small green pepper bits, all layered evenly. Small green herb pieces are sprinkled on the quesadillas and board. In the blurred background, there are two red tomatoes and small white bowls, all placed on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
Salt, pepper, garlic powder (to season)
4 large flour tortillas
1 cup shredded cheddar or American cheese
Optional: pickles, diced onions, burger sauce for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Press a small handful of ground beef directly onto one half of each tortilla. Season well with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Step 3: Place the tortilla beef-side down in the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes until the beef is browned.
Step 4: Flip the tortilla, sprinkle cheese over the cooked beef, fold the tortilla in half, and continue cooking, pressing lightly until both sides are crispy and the cheese is melted.
Step 5: Remove from heat, slice into wedges, and serve with your favorite burger toppings or dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

Use a mix of cheddar and American cheese for extra gooeyness and flavor.
Try adding finely diced jalapeños to the beef for a spicy kick.
Serve with a side of ketchup, mustard, or your favorite burger sauce for dipping.
Substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly option.

Storage

Store any leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to restore crispiness, or microwave for a quick warm-up, though the tortilla may be softer.

How to Serve

A stack of three triangular quesadilla slices sits on a round wooden board, each slice showing layers of light golden toasted tortilla filled with a thick layer of melted orange cheddar cheese and browned ground beef mixed with small green jalapeño pieces. The top quesadilla is sprinkled with small green cilantro leaves, matching a few scattered on the wooden surface. In the blurred background, two whole red tomatoes and a bowl of sliced yellow pickled jalapeños are visible, set against a white marbled texture. The quesadillas have a crispy, golden-brown toasted exterior with some char marks. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these quesadillas ahead of time?

You can prepare the beef and assemble the quesadillas ahead, but cooking just before serving ensures they stay crispy and melty.

What cheese works best for smashburger quesadillas?

Cheddar and American cheeses melt well and offer classic burger flavors, but feel free to experiment with your favorites like Monterey Jack or pepper jack for added zest.

Smashburger Quesadillas Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 115 reviews

This Smashburger Quesadilla recipe transforms classic burger flavors into a crispy, cheesy quesadilla using seasoned ground beef and melted cheddar or American cheese, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 quesadillas (serves 4) 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Garlic powder, to taste
4 large flour tortillas
1 cup shredded cheddar or American cheese

Optional Toppings

Pickles, sliced
Diced onions
Burger sauce, for serving

Instructions

Preheat Skillet: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until hot enough to cook the beef quickly and develop good browning.
Shape and Season Beef: Take a small handful of ground beef and press it directly onto one half of each tortilla, spreading it evenly. Season the beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor.
Cook Beef Side Down: Place the tortillas beef-side down on the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is well browned and cooked through.
Flip and Add Cheese: Carefully flip the tortillas over so the beef side is up. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the cooked beef, then fold the tortilla in half over the filling.
Grill Quesadilla: Continue cooking the folded quesadilla on both sides until the tortilla turns crispy and golden and the cheese melts completely, flipping as needed to avoid burning.
Slice and Serve: Remove from heat, slice into wedges, and serve warm with optional pickles, diced onions, and burger sauce for added flavor and texture.

Notes

Pressing the ground beef thinly onto the tortilla ensures a good crust and quick cooking.
Use a non-stick skillet or well-seasoned griddle to prevent sticking and achieve even browning.
Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like pepper jack for a spicy twist.
Optional toppings like pickles and burger sauce provide traditional burger flavor inside the quesadilla.
Cook on medium-high heat to ensure the beef cooks fully without drying out the tortilla.

Keywords: smashburger quesadilla, ground beef quesadilla, quick dinner, cheesy quesadilla, burger-inspired quesadilla