Beef Mince Quesadilla Casserole
All the components of a quesadilla — seasoned beef mince, cheese, and flour tortillas — are layered into a baking dish and cooked together as a casserole. The tortillas soften into the filling while the top layer of cheese browns in the oven. It feeds a crowd with minimal hands-on effort and is ready in around 30 minutes.
Equipment
- Oven-safe casserole dish
- Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Grater
- Knife
- Stirring spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef preferably lean
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese Mexican blend preferred
- 6 small flour tortillas
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and sauté the diced onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, and smoked paprika; sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, salt, and black pepper, allowing the mixture to simmer briefly to meld flavors.
- In an oven-safe casserole dish, start with a layer of flour tortillas, followed by the beef mixture, and then a sprinkle of cheese. Repeat layers until ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
Jen’s Tips:
- Consider adding a layer of refried beans for added creaminess and fiber.
- Swap cheese with a dairy-free alternative for lactose intolerance.
- For a spicier kick, add sliced jalapeños between layers.
Nutrition
Calories: 619kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 34gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 1255mgPotassium: 668mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 871IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 326mgIron: 5mg
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