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Quick Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas with Easy Fresh Avocado Salsa

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A fast and flavorful recipe combining melty cheese, seasoned ground beef, and a bright fresh avocado salsa, perfect for quick dinners or last-minute cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 flour tortillas (8-inch size)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for crisping tortillas)
  • 2 ripe avocados, diced
  • 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, minced
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spatula. Cook for about 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  2. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper over the beef. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2 minutes to let the spices bloom.
  3. While the beef cooks, mix diced avocados, tomato, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro in a bowl. Add lime juice and salt, then toss gently without mashing the avocado. Set aside.
  4. Lay one tortilla flat on a clean surface. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup shredded cheese evenly on one half, then spoon about 1/3 cup of the seasoned ground beef over the cheese. Add another 1/4 cup cheese on top of the beef. Fold the other half of the tortilla over to cover.
  5. Heat the same skillet over medium heat. Add a small pat of butter or a drizzle of olive oil. Place the quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing down gently with a spatula, until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
  6. Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve immediately with a generous scoop of fresh avocado salsa on the side or spooned on top.

Notes

Use medium heat to avoid burning tortillas before cheese melts. Layer cheese both below and above beef to keep filling intact. Prepare avocado salsa last or just before serving to prevent browning. For gluten-free, swap flour tortillas with corn tortillas. Can cook two quesadillas at once if skillet is large enough. Reheat leftovers in skillet to maintain crispiness; avoid microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: quesadillas, ground beef, avocado salsa, quick dinner, cheesy, easy recipe, Mexican food, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/quick-cheesy-ground-beef-quesadillas-with-easy-fresh-avocado-salsa-recipe/