Take a bite of this easy Mexican-American fusion food to satisfy your meat-and-cheese cravings!
Two of my best friends’ favorite respective foods are burgers and quesadillas. Put ’em together and what have you got? A flavor-packed, hearty hamburger quesadilla! A whole-wheat tortilla is stuffed with tender ground beef, melted cheddar, and a colorful array of toppings that pop in your mouth. For anyone who adores both American and Mexican classics, this fusion dish aims to please.
It only takes 35 minutes to bring these babies to life. Simply cook the meat, toast the tortilla, then load it up with the rest of the ingredients, folding it over so everything cooks nicely. Yep, it’s that easy! And the ooey-gooey cheese leaking from the edges is enough to make you drool just looking at it.
The best part is that you can embellish hamburger quesadillas with any of your preferred toppings. My bestie, for example, loves piling on Spicy Guacamole, but you can try all kinds of Mexican and American condiments. This dish can even be part of a build-your-own quesadilla party, so invite your loved ones and get cooking!
Is This Hamburger Quesadilla Healthy?
Made with lean ground beef—a good source of protein—plus fiber-rich whole-wheat tortillas, hamburger quesadillas can be part of a balanced diet. However, due to the high calories, fat and salt content, they aren’t the healthiest dish out there. Think of them as an occasional indulgence. Or try to make them a little healthier by swapping in reduced-fat cheddar and a no-added-sugar ketchup.
The Original Quesadilla
The Spanish word quesadilla is translated into English as “little cheese thing”, a lighthearted and appropriate name for the original dish. Made with corn tortillas in Southern Mexico, and flour tortillas in Northern Mexico, they traditionally included local Oaxaca cheese and were cooked on a griddle called a comal.
Since its inception, the humble quesadilla has become such a big name in the West that you can find it in American diners and Mexican restaurants across the world. Nowadays, there are many tantalizing variations of the dish, and this hamburger quesadilla stands out in the crowd.
How do I store leftovers?
Once cooled, hamburger quesadillas can be covered in plastic wrap or placed in airtight containers. Refrigerate them for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. If you freeze them, make sure to thaw them in the fridge overnight. The next day, enjoy them either cold or heat them up on the stove at medium temperature.
Serving Suggestions
Craving a Tex-Mex meal that combines the best of the North and South? Top your hamburger quesadilla with Sour Cream, Chipotle Salsa, or Burger Sauce. Pair the decadent main with a side of spicy Mexican Potatoes, Refried Beans, or Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad. But don’t stop there! However you serve it, the whole meal would go wonderfully with a cold glass of Cucumber Agua Fresca.
To make the recipe gluten-free, try this Gluten-Free Tortilla Recipe with Sun-Dried Tomatoes. For vegetarians, I recommend replacing ground beef with two cups of ground walnuts that have the same seasonings. Alternatively, you could crumble up some Black Bean Burger.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- Cooking spray for the skillet
- 8 8-inch whole wheat flour tortillas
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: diced tomatoes, sliced pickles, shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 7–10 minutes.
- Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional minute to combine flavors.
- Mix in ketchup and mustard. Stir to combine and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
- Heat a large griddle or skillet over medium heat. Lightly coat with cooking spray.
- Place one tortilla on the skillet. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over half of the tortilla.
- Spoon some of the beef mixture over the cheese. Add optional toppings like diced tomatoes, sliced pickles, or shredded lettuce if desired.
- Sprinkle another 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese over the fillings.
- Fold the tortilla in half to cover the fillings. Cook for 1–3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese starts to melt.
- Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook for another 1–3 minutes until the other side is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
- Remove from the skillet and repeat with the remaining tortillas and fillings.
- Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve warm.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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