Crispy Mexican Beef
Cheese Quesadilla

Golden, crispy flour tortillas packed with savory spiced minced beef, sweet corn, and melted mozzarella cheese, finished with fresh cilantro.

Ingredients

• 2 tortillas
• 200 g minced beef
• 0.5 red bell pepper
• 0.5 yellow bell pepper
• 0.5 bowl boiled corn kernels
• 0.5 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 150 g mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp sweet paprika powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp sugar
• to taste cilantro

Instructions

1. 1Dice the bell peppers

   

   Take half of a yellow bell pepper and slice it into small, uniform cubes on a wooden cutting board using a sharp chefs knife.

   Tip: Cut the vegetables into even sizes to ensure they cook evenly and blend well with the minced beef.
2. 2Chop the red onion

   

   Finely chop the red onion into small pieces on a wooden cutting board to prepare for the sautéing process.

   Tip: Chop the onions evenly so they cook and caramelize at the same rate in the pan.
3. 3Mix the seasonings

   

   Measure and combine 1 spoon of cumin powder, 1 spoon of sweet paprika powder, 1 spoon of chili powder, and 1 spoon of black pepper into a small bowl.

   Tip: Mixing the dry spices together beforehand ensures an even distribution of flavor when added to the beef.
4. 4Sauté Aromatics

   

   Heat oil in a non-stick flat-bottom pan, then add the finely chopped onions and sliced garlic. Sauté them on low heat until fragrant and translucent.

   Tip: Keep the heat low so the garlic and onions soften and release their sweetness without burning.
5. 5Stir-fry the minced beef

   

   Add the minced beef to the fragrant aromatics in the pan and stir-fry on high heat until fully browned and cooked through.

   Tip: Keep the heat high when stir-frying the minced beef to lock in juices and prevent it from releasing too much water.
6. 6Add the bell peppers

   

   Add the diced red and yellow bell peppers to the cooked minced beef in the pan and stir-fry for a few moments until they begin to soften.

   Tip: Add the bell peppers briefly so they maintain a slight crunch and vibrant color.
7. 7Season the mixture

   

   Pour the prepared blend of mixed spices, along with half a small spoonful of salt and half a small spoonful of sugar, directly into the pan.

   Tip: Stir the spices quickly right after adding them so the heat evenly distributes the flavors without burning the powder.
8. 8Mix in the corn kernels

   

   Add the boiled corn kernels to the skillet and stir-fry everything evenly together until the flavors meld.

   Tip: Ensure the spices are thoroughly distributed throughout the beef and vegetable mixture for even flavor.
9. 9Add the first layer of cheese

   

   Take a flour tortilla and evenly spread a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese across only one half of its surface.

   Tip: Keep the cheese slightly away from the extreme outer edges so it doesnt spill out too much when melted and folded.
10. 10Assemble Tortilla

    

    Take a tortilla and spread a layer of mozzarella cheese on half of it. Add the cooked beef and vegetable filling, then top with fresh cilantro and more cheese before folding it in half.

    Tip: Do not overfill the tortilla to ensure it folds neatly and stays closed during frying.
11. 11Add cilantro and extra cheese

    

    Layer fresh cilantro leaves and an extra handful of mozzarella cheese directly on top of the cooked beef filling inside the tortilla.

    Tip: Adding cheese both under and over the filling helps bind the quesadilla together tightly when cooked.
12. 12Fold the tortilla

    

    Carefully fold the empty half of the flour tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shaped quesadilla.

    Tip: Press down gently along the edges to secure the ingredients inside before transferring it to the pan.
13. 13Transfer to the pan

    

    Carefully place the folded quesadilla into a dry flat-bottom non-stick pan over low heat.

    Tip: Cook on low heat so the cheese inside melts completely before the tortilla burns on the outside.
14. 14Fry the quesadilla until golden brown

    

    Place the folded quesadilla into a non-stick flat-bottom pan and fry on low heat. Use a spatula to flip it carefully until both sides turn a crispy golden brown, allowing the cheese inside to melt completely.

    Tip: Keep the heat low so the tortilla doesnt burn before the cheese has a chance to fully melt.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions