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Crispy Cheesy Beef Quesadillas with Spicy Jalapeños

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A quick and easy snack featuring crispy tortillas filled with seasoned ground beef, a blend of sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and spicy jalapeños for a perfect balance of cheesy, meaty, and spicy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
  • 4 large flour tortillas (8-inch diameter)
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced (or pickled jalapeños as substitute)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • Optional: fresh cilantro, a handful chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat (about 375°F/190°C). Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
  4. Season beef with cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well and drain excess fat if necessary. Set aside.
  5. Wipe out skillet and add 1 teaspoon oil. Place one tortilla flat in the pan over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
  6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella evenly over half of the tortilla.
  7. Add a generous spoonful of seasoned beef on top of the cheese, then scatter sliced jalapeños. Top with a little more cheese.
  8. Fold the tortilla over to cover the filling and press gently with a spatula.
  9. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until golden and crispy, then carefully flip and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes until cheese melts and tortilla is crisp.
  10. Remove quesadilla and let rest for a minute before slicing into wedges. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
  11. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling. Keep cooked quesadillas warm in a low oven (200°F/95°C) if needed.

Notes

If quesadillas feel soggy, increase skillet heat and avoid overfilling. For gluten-free, use almond flour tortillas; for dairy-free, substitute vegan cheese. Remove jalapeño seeds for milder heat. Leftovers reheat best in a dry skillet to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: quesadilla, beef quesadilla, cheesy quesadilla, spicy jalapeños, snack recipe, quick snack, easy dinner

Find it online: https://grubella.com/crispy-cheesy-beef-quesadillas-recipe-easy-spicy-jalape-n-os-snack-ideas/