Smashburger Quesadillas
A hearty and satisfying meal that combines the classic flavors of a burger with the fun of a quesadilla.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Beef
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 pound ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for extra richness)
Instructions
- Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Place 1 tortilla in the pan.
- Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a glass, gently press the beef patty into the tortilla, spreading it ½ inch below the tortilla’s edges.
- Season the beef immediately with salt, garlic powder, and pepper using tongs to avoid burning your fingers.
- Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned and the tortilla is lightly crispy.
- Sprinkle half the cheese over the beef, then top with another tortilla.
- Flip as a single unit using a spatula and tortilla halves for leverage.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and the second side is browned.
- Transfer to a plate, let rest for 1 minute, then cut into quarters and serve with optional cilantro and salsa.
Notes
Serve warm with a side of salsa or guacamole for dipping. Optional ingredients include sautéed onions, jalapeños, or mushrooms.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg