Beef Quesadillas

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 5 large flour tortillas
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
• Salsa and sour cream, for serving

Instructions

Follow each step in order. The directions below are written so a beginner can understand what to do, what to look for, and when to move on to the next step.

1. Step 1.Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the diced onion, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent around the edges.
2. Step 2.Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds, then add the ground beef and cook until browned and at least 160°F, breaking the meat into small crumbles with a wooden spoon.
3. Step 3.Drain excess fat if needed, then stir in smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and salt and cook for 1 to 2 minutes so the spices become fragrant and coat the beef.
4. Step 4.Transfer the seasoned beef to a bowl and wipe the skillet clean, because a relatively dry pan helps the tortillas become crisp and golden rather than oily or patchy.
5. Step 5.Place one tortilla on a work surface, scatter cheese over one half, add a thin layer of beef, top with a little more cheese, and fold the empty half over the filling.
6. Step 6.Heat the clean skillet over medium-low heat and place the folded quesadilla in the pan, pressing gently with a spatula so the tortilla makes even contact with the surface.
7. Step 7.Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the underside is golden, flip carefully, and cook the second side until crisp and the cheese has melted completely around the beef filling.
8. Step 8.Transfer the finished quesadilla to a cutting board and let it rest for about 1 minute while you repeat the filling and cooking process with the remaining tortillas.
9. Step 9.Cut each quesadilla into wedges with a sharp knife or pizza cutter, checking that the cheese is melted and the beef is distributed evenly without overfilling the tortilla.
10. Step 10.Serve the beef quesadillas immediately with salsa and sour cream on the side, adding guacamole, pico de gallo, or lime wedges if desired without making the crisp tortillas soggy.