Cheesy Beef Bean Quesadillas (Printable)
Golden tortillas layered with seasoned beef, creamy beans, and melted cheddar for a satisfying Tex-Mex dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Bean Mixture
10 - 1 (15-ounce) can refried beans or black beans, drained and mashed
11 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
→ Quesadillas
13 - 8 medium (8-inch) flour tortillas
14 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons butter, softened
→ To Serve (optional)
17 - Salsa
18 - Sour cream
19 - Sliced jalapeños
20 - Fresh cilantro
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until softened, about 3 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
02 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and fully cooked, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Incorporate ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until aromatic, then remove from heat.
04 - Combine refried beans, lime juice, and chopped cilantro in a small bowl, mixing thoroughly.
05 - On a workspace, lay out each tortilla. Spread 2 tablespoons of the bean mixture over half of each tortilla, add a portion of the beef filling, then evenly sprinkle both cheeses over the fillings.
06 - Fold each tortilla in half to encase the fillings securely.
07 - Preheat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly brush the exterior of each quesadilla with softened butter.
08 - Cook in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until the tortillas are golden brown and the cheese has melted. Remove and allow to rest for 1 minute before slicing.
09 - Serve warm with optional accompaniments such as salsa, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, and fresh cilantro.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Ready in under 35 minutes from fridge to table, with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
- The beef-and-bean combination is hearty enough for a meal but casual enough for snacking.
- Crowds absolutely vanish when these hit the plate—vegetarians can skip the beef and still have a stellar dinner.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the excess fat from the beef; too much grease makes the filling slide out when you bite into it.
- Butter the outside of the tortillas, never the inside—it prevents sogginess and gives you that beautiful crust.
03 -
- Use real cheese that you shred yourself—it melts smoother and tastes infinitely better than pre-shredded.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet; cook 2-3 at a time so they get proper heat and golden crust instead of steaming.