Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 2 tbsp oil of choice
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- Splash of water (to deglaze)
Quesadilla Assembly
- 3 large tortillas, cut in half
- 4 tbsp garlic butter
- 2 cups mozzarella, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper, sautéing for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula until it’s no longer pink and fully browned.
- Season and Deglaze: Season the beef mixture with salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Stir in the tomato paste thoroughly. To lift the flavors off the pan’s bottom and add moisture, add a small splash of water to deglaze the pan. Mix well, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the quesadillas.
- Assemble Quesadillas: Cut the tortillas in half to create semicircles. On the center of each tortilla half, add a layer of freshly shredded mozzarella, then spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of the beef mixture on top. Fold each tortilla half into a triangle shape, sealing the filling inside. Set them aside on a clean surface.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a round baking dish generously with garlic butter. Arrange the folded quesadilla triangles inside the dish in a single layer. Brush the tops of the quesadillas with additional garlic butter and sprinkle extra parmesan cheese liberally to add cheesiness.
- Bake: Bake the quesadillas in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas turn golden brown and crispy on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot. These quesadillas pair wonderfully with dips such as sour cream, salsa, or guacamole to enhance their rich flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh shredded mozzarella for the best melt and flavor.
- Feel free to add jalapeños or chili powder for extra spice.
- Tortillas can be warmed slightly before filling to make folding easier.
- Leftover quesadillas can be reheated in a skillet or oven for crispiness.
- For a lower fat option, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
