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Close-up of a crispy Smashburger Quesadilla in a skillet, filled with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese, topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.

Smashburger Quesadilla Crispy Cheesy Skillet Recipe

This smashburger quesadilla combines crispy seared beef with gooey melted cheese inside a golden tortilla. It is a fun, fast dinner idea that performs well on Pinterest thanks to its bold layers and crave-worthy texture.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the beef
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the quesadillas
  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the sauce
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
For the toppings
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 medium tomato sliced
  • 1/2 cup sliced pickles
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

Equipment

  • Small bowl
  • Large skillet

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, and sugar until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator while cooking.
  2. Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions. Gently shape into loose balls without packing tightly.
  3. Place each portion onto a tortilla and press it thinly across the surface to cover most of the tortilla.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and lightly coat with olive oil.
  5. Place tortilla beef side down in the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the beef develops a deep brown crust.
  6. Season the exposed side of the beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper while cooking.
  7. Flip the tortilla so the beef side is facing up. Immediately sprinkle cheese evenly over the beef.
  8. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese melts, then fold the tortilla in half. Press gently and cook another 1 to 2 minutes until golden and crisp.
  9. Remove from skillet and repeat with remaining tortillas.
  10. Open slightly and add lettuce, tomato, pickles, and red onion. Drizzle with prepared sauce and serve warm.

Notes

Cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure it is safely cooked through.