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 cheese or American cheese; Pickles, sliced or chopped; Diced onions; Burger sauce or your favorite dipping sauce

Introduction

Smashburger quesadillas are a fun and tasty twist on classic quesadillas, combining the flavors of a juicy burger with melted cheese and crispy tortillas. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner that the whole family will love.

A stack of three toasted quesadilla slices is shown on a dark wooden board over a white marbled surface. Each quesadilla slice has two layers of lightly browned white tortilla with a filling of melted golden yellow cheddar cheese mixed with brown cooked ground beef and bits of green jalapeño. Fresh green cilantro leaves are sprinkled on top and around the quesadilla stack. In the blurred background, there are some red cherry tomatoes and small white bowls with pickled jalapeños and salt. 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 with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Step 3: Place the tortilla beef-side down on the hot skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through.
Step 4: Flip the quesadilla, sprinkle the cooked side with shredded cheese, then fold the tortilla in half.
Step 5: Grill both sides until the tortilla is crispy and golden, and the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes per side.
Step 6: Slice into wedges and serve with your favorite burger toppings like pickles, diced onions, or burger sauce.

Tips & Variations

Use ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian option.
Try adding sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Swap cheddar for pepper jack or mozzarella to change the flavor profile.
Cook the ground beef with diced onions or garlic for added depth.

Storage

Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to keep the tortilla crispy, or microwave briefly if short on time.

How to Serve

Three triangular quesadilla slices are stacked on a dark wooden board with some green herb pieces scattered around. Each quesadilla slice has two layers of golden brown grilled white tortillas with melted yellow and white cheese, ground beef, and green jalapeño slices between them. The tortillas show some light and dark brown grill marks. In the blurred background, two red tomatoes and small bowls with lime slices and coarse salt can be seen on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these quesadillas ahead of time?

You can assemble the quesadillas ahead but cook them just before serving to maintain crispiness.

What can I use instead of burger sauce?

Mayonnaise mixed with a little ketchup and mustard makes a simple, tasty alternative to burger sauce.

Smashburger Quesadillas Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 348 reviews

This Smashburger Quesadillas recipe combines the juicy, seasoned flavor of ground beef with melted cheddar cheese, all grilled inside a crispy flour tortilla. Perfect as a quick and satisfying meal, these quesadillas mimic the great taste of smashburgers with an easy skillet cooking method, topped with optional classic burger condiments for added flavor.

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Snack
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 cheese or American cheese

Optional Toppings

Pickles, sliced or chopped
Diced onions
Burger sauce or your favorite dipping sauce

Instructions

Preheat the skillet or griddle. Place a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and allow it to heat up thoroughly for an even cooking surface.
Season and press the beef. Take a small handful of ground beef and press it firmly onto one half of each flour tortilla. Season the beef generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor.
Cook the beef side down. Place the tortillas beef-side down in the hot skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through on that side, developing a savory crust.
Flip, add cheese, and fold. Flip the tortilla so the beef side is up. Sprinkle the beef with shredded cheddar or American cheese. Fold the tortilla in half to encase the meat and cheese.
Grill the quesadilla. Continue grilling the folded quesadilla on both sides until the tortilla is crispy and golden brown and the cheese inside is melted, about 2–3 minutes per side.
Slice and serve. Remove the quesadillas from the skillet, slice them into wedges, and serve warm. Add optional pickles, diced onions, and burger sauce or your favorite dipping sauce alongside for a delicious burger-inspired twist.

Notes

Use ground beef with about 15-20% fat content for juicier quesadillas.
For extra crispiness, press the quesadilla down slightly with a spatula while grilling.
Customize with different cheeses like pepper jack or mozzarella for varied flavors.
Optional burger toppings complement the smoked flavor and add texture.
Cook on medium-high to ensure the beef cooks through without burning the tortillas.

Keywords: Smashburger quesadilla, ground beef quesadilla, cheesy quesadilla recipe, skillet quesadilla, American snack recipes