Taco Quesadilla with Flavorful Taco Seasoned Beef, Pork or Chicken and Cheese. Perfectly Golden and Crispy from the pan-frying process and served with various Sauces like Sour Cream, Salsa and/or Guacamole. Not only are these Quesadillas incredibly Delicious, they are also incredibly convenient, making them an ideal choice for a quick and satisfying meal or a delightful side dish. With a preparation and cook time of just 30 minutes or less, you’ll have dinner ready to be devoured in no time.
I always make these as a side dish when I prepare Taco Soup because they are just so good. Especially when served with a cold Sour Cream dip, the contrast is very nice.
Taco Quesadilla Meat
The Meat for Taco Quesadillas can be stuffed with any kind of meat. From using Ground Beef, Chicken or Pork, to diced or striped Chicken, Pork, or Steak. In all cases though, the meat is seasoned with Taco Seasoning. Directly into the ground Meat and cooked or added to the marinade for thinly sliced or diced meats. Carnita Meat can be used too.
Beef Taco Quesadilla
1 lb of Ground Beef with Old El Paso Taco seasoning and 2/3 C of Tomato Juice. Cook it down so that it becomes paste like and holds together well.
Taco Meat Marinade
Used to marinate thinly sliced or diced meats like Steak, Chicken or Pork. Season the meat with Taco Seasoning in a bowl, add in the Water & Oil and mix. Marinate for at least one hour.
- 1/2 C Water & Neutral Oil
- 1 Pack of Taco Seasoning
Taco Seasoning
Old El Paso Taco Seasoning or a Homemade Taco Seasoning. One Pack to season 1 lb of meat.
Quesadilla Tortillas
Pick up some Large Tortillas. The standard size Tortillas for Quesadillas are 10 inches. Taco Bell uses 10.5 inch Tortillas.
Tortillas
Smaller ones can be used. Just adjust the amounts you fill the Quesadillas with.
Toasted Tortillas
Heat a Pan or Skillet over medium heat. When the Pan is hot, place a Tortilla in just to toast one side until air bubbles form and remove. Repeat for each Tortilla. This will be the inside of the Quesadillas.
Then you can brush the untoasted side with Oil, flip over and build the Quesadillas. Transfer to the hot pan over medium heat to fry up the oiled side nice and crisp while covered to melt the Cheese for about 1 minute or until toasted.
Keto Quesadillas
For a Keto version, use Keto Tortillas or Low Carb Tortillas for Keto Friendly Quesadillas.
Diabetic Quesadillas
Just the same as Keto using Keto Tortillas or Low Carb Tortillas. In fact, people who suffer from Prediabetes or Diabetes can benefit greatly by controlling their Blood Glucose while on a Keto Diet. Reversing Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes altogether. It really should be the first line of defense, switching over to a Keto Diet.
Flavored Quesadillas Shells
Add extra Flavors on the Tortillas themselves by adding ingredients to the Oil to make Flavored Oils. Although, depending on what you add, can affect how the Tortillas brown. However, with a crisping time of only a minute, you’re pretty good even with Seasonings added. This is one aspect I still experiment with from time to time. Some ideas are below.
- Mexican Chile Oil, which is a mix of Mexican Peppers, Garlic, and usually a bit of Vinegar.
- Oil with a bit of Sriracha Sauce or one of the below
- Frank’s RedHot Sauce
- Taco Seasoning
- Ancho or Chipotle Powder
Mayo and Aioli is something I want to try next. I’m thinking these would be really good with a Quesadilla Steak. Maybe even some Cheese Powder sprinkled on after the Quesadillas come off the heat.
Quesadilla Cheese
Freshly grated Cheddar or for better flavor Monterrey Jack, Pepper Jack or Tex Mex Cheese which are fantastic for a Quesadilla and often the go-to cheeses for Quesadillas outside of Mexico. Within Mexico, Manchego, Queso Asadero, Oaxaca, or Chihuahua Cheeses are used.
Taco Bell uses a Three Cheese blend of Mozzarella & Cheddar, with Monterrey Jack or Pepper Jack Cheese with a Nacho Cheese Sauce. For this, you can add a Two Blend of Mozzarella & Cheddar Cheese or Three blend of Monterey jack or Pepper Jack Cheese added, all in equal amounts or any other combination to the Cheese Whiz Sauce or Nacho Cheese Whiz Sauce.
Shredded Cheese
Use Cheddar Cheese, Tex Mex, Monterrey Jack, Pepper Jack or other Cheeses.
Cheese Whiz Sauce
Add shredded Mozzarella & Cheddar Cheese to the Cheese Whiz Sauce to get a thick sauce.
Nacho Cheese Whiz Sauce
Use Nacho Cheese Whiz Sauce. Add Mozzarella & Cheddar to get an even thicker sauce.
Taco Quesadilla Filling
Along with the Cheese & Taco Seasoned Meat filling, additional ingredients can be added such as Chilies, Onions, Tomatoes, Peppers, Beans or various Sauces.
Taco Bell uses a Creamy Jalapeño Sauce with both their Quesadilla Chicken & Quesadilla Steak.
Whatever you add, make sure that the filling stays together well, and you don’t want the meat to be too loose or over stuff it, else it will all just fall out of the Quesadillas when handling. With sliced or diced Meats, the melted cheese will hold it together, as long as they are not over stuffed. Some ideas are below.
Red Taco Sauce
Just a drizzle of Red Taco Sauce over the meat when making the Quesadillas.
Pico De Gallo
Either Pico De Gallo or Salsa placed on top or mixed in with the meat.
Sour Cream
Excellent on the side for dipping.
Chipotle Sauce
Chipotle Sauce is excellent to use with Chicken Quesadillas with the Sour Cream for a Creamy version. It’s used in the Chicken Chipotle Burrito too.
Quesadillas Ratios
The below ratios should yield about 4–5 Quesadillas for every 1 lb of meat.
- Large Flour Tortilla (10 inches)
- 1/2 C shredded Cheese or more
- About 90g – 113 g of meat or about 1/2 Cup
Careful not to overstuff the Quesadillas with too much, or they will be hard to handle, and the filling will fall out. Ideally, it should hold together pretty well so that you can dip the Quesadillas. I have made Beef & Cheese Quesadillas using 1 cup of Beef. While it may look good and hearty, it doesn’t handle well at all.
Beef & Cheese Quesadillas
Taco Bell’s version was Taco Seasoned Ground Beef with shredded Cheddar, Mozzarella and Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack Cheese with Nacho Cheese Sauce.
Beefy Cheese Quesadilla
- Taco Meat
- Cheese Whiz Sauce or Nacho Cheese Sauce
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Beefy Cheese Quesadilla With Salsa
Made with Cheddar Cheese, Taco Meat and a bit of Salsa.
Taco Soup With Quesadillas
This is such a nice dish using the same meat that is used in the Taco Soup, cooked up just the same. Then half of it set aside for Quesadillas. While the remaining meat is used for the Taco Soup. Once the Taco Soup is off the heat and resting, Quesadillas are made up for a side and served with Cold Sour Cream for dipping. Optionally with Cold Salsa.
Taco Soup and Quesadillas
Taco Soup made with Ground Beef Taco Meat and Taco Beef Quesadillas with Salsa. Serve with very cold Sour Cream for dipping.
Homemade Quesadillas
Making quesadillas can be a delightful culinary adventure for several reasons:
Taste: Quesadillas are filled with delicious ingredients like melted cheese, savory meats, and flavorful vegetables. The combination of flavors and textures creates a mouthwatering experience.
Versatility: Quesadillas can be customized to suit your taste preferences. You can experiment with different fillings, such as grilled chicken, sautéed vegetables, or even spicy jalapeños. The possibilities are endless!
Quick and Easy: Quesadillas are a quick and easy meal option, perfect for busy individuals or families. With just a few ingredients and a few minutes of cooking, you can have a satisfying meal.
Family-Friendly: Quesadillas are often a hit with both kids and adults. They can be a fun way to involve your family in the kitchen, as everyone can help with the assembly and enjoy the final result together.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Quesadillas can be served as a snack, appetizer, side dish or a main course. They are suitable for casual get-togethers, game nights, or even as a tasty addition to your lunchbox.
Next time you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal, consider making these Quesadillas. They offer a delightful combination of taste, versatility, and convenience that is sure to satisfy your cravings.
Equipment
- 1 Skillet with Lid
- 1 Small Bowl & Brush
- 1 Cheese Grater
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef - See notes for other choices
- 5 Large Tortillas
- 1 Tbl Neutral Oil - for Brushing
- 1 pack Taco Seasoning - Old El Paso
- 2/3 C Tomato Juice
- 2 1/2 C Shredded Cheese - or more, See notes
Instructions
- Prepare any Sauces, Toppings and shredded Cheese. Set aside until needed. Place 1 lb of Ground Beef into a Skillet over medium high heat. Break it up while browning. Add in the Taco Seasoning & Tomato Juice. Mix well and continue to cook until thickened and the meat holds together well. Empty into a bowl and clean the Skillet out. If using other meats, prepare, cook and set aside to make the Quesadillas. See notes.
- Heat a pan or skillet over medium heat and let it get hot. Place each Tortilla into the Pan and Toast only one side for about 1 minute, or until it starts to bubble. Set aside and repeat for remaining Tortillas.
- For each Tortilla, brush the untoasted side with Oil, flip over and add– 1/2 C Shredded Cheese spread out evenly– About 90g or 1/2 C of meat, spread out evenly
- Transfer to a Skillet and cover. Cook for 1 minute, or until crisp and the cheese is melted. Watch the heat, because the pan will brown and even burn the Quesadillas faster the more you do. Control the heat by removing the pan from the heat when removing the Quesadilla. Then add the next Quesadilla to the pan and place back on the heat.
- Fold it over and press to bring the filling out to the edge. Remove and let cool. Repeat for the remaining Quesadillas. Slice into equal parts and serve with dipping sauce like Sour Cream or Salsa.
Notes
Crispy Quesadillas
For Extra Crispy Quesadillas, brush a generous amount of Oil on the Tortillas or add Oil to the Pan to coat the bottom and let it get hot before placing the Quesadillas in to fry up extra crispy.Other Quesadilla Meats
Use 1 lb of ground Chicken or Pork and cook the same as the ground beef. 1 lb of Thinly sliced meats like Steak or Pork can be seasoned with Taco Seasoning and then marinated and cooked before starting the Quesadillas. The same for diced Chicken Breast or Pork Chops.Taco Meat Marinade
Per 1 lb of thinly sliced or diced Meat.- 1/2 C Water & Neutral Oil, each
- 1 Packet of Taco Seasoning
- optionally add in other ingredients to shape the flavors, such as Chilies, Liquid Smoke (really good with Steak Quesadillas), Lemon or Lime Juice, Pimento Paste, Tomato Juice, Ancho or Chipotle Powder, Bouillon Powder, minced Onions and/or Garlic.