Description
These Spicy Mince Quesadillas are a flavorful and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired main course featuring a savory mixture of ground beef, aromatic spices, and melted cheese, all folded inside warm flour tortillas. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, they offer a delicious balance of spice, creaminess, and crunch when served with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Spicy Mince
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or turkey
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup black beans (optional)
For the Quesadillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 large flour tortillas
- Sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Spicy Mince: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary. Stir in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix in the drained diced tomatoes and black beans if using, then simmer the mixture for 2–3 minutes until it slightly thickens. Remove from heat.
- Assemble and Cook the Quesadillas: Wipe the skillet clean and heat it again over medium heat. Place one flour tortilla in the pan. On one half of the tortilla, sprinkle some shredded cheese, add a generous scoop of the spicy mince mixture, and top with more cheese. Fold the tortilla in half to encase the filling. Cook the quesadilla for 2–3 minutes per side until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese has melted inside. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Serve: Slice each quesadilla into wedges and serve warm with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole on the side for dipping. Enjoy your flavorful and cheesy spicy mince quesadillas!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with cooked lentils or plant-based mince.
- Enhance texture and flavor by adding corn, chopped jalapeños, or bell peppers to the mince mixture.
- Use dairy-free cheese to make the dish dairy-free.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount based on your preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
