Go Back

Cheeseburger Quesadilla - A Fast, Flavor-Packed Mashup

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Flour tortillas (8-inch, 4–6 tortillas depending on Quesadilla size)
  • Ground beef (1 pound, 80/20 or 85/15)
  • Yellow onion (1 small, finely diced)
  • Garlic (2 cloves, minced) or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • American cheese (4–6 slices) or shredded cheddar/Monterey Jack (2 cups)
  • Ketchup (2–3 tablespoons)
  • Mustard (1–2 teaspoons, yellow or Dijon)
  • Mayonnaise (2 tablespoons, optional for sauce)
  • Dill pickles (chips or chopped, 1/3 cup)
  • Worcestershire sauce (1 teaspoon)
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Butter or neutral oil (for the pan)
  • Optional add-ins: cooked bacon, shredded lettuce (for serving), tomato slices (for serving), hot sauce, jalapeños, sesame seeds

Method
 

  1. Prep the aromatics. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Chop pickles if using whole spears. Have cheese and tortillas ready so assembly is quick.
  2. Brown the beef. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook until browned with little pink left, about 5–7 minutes.
  3. Sauté onion and garlic. Push beef to one side of the skillet. Add a teaspoon of oil if the pan is dry. Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds, then mix everything together.
  4. Boost the burger flavor. Stir in Worcestershire, 2 tablespoons ketchup, and 1 teaspoon mustard. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or sauce. You want a slightly tangy, savory mixture. Turn off the heat.
  5. Make a quick “special sauce.” In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons mayo, 1 tablespoon ketchup, and 1 teaspoon mustard. Add a dash of hot sauce if you like. This is for drizzling or dipping.
  6. Assemble the quesadillas. Place a tortilla on a cutting board. Sprinkle a thin layer of cheese on half the tortilla. Spoon a generous layer of the beef mixture on top. Add pickles and a little more cheese. Fold the tortilla in half to close. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
  7. Griddle to crisp perfection. Wipe out the skillet and set over medium heat. Add a small pat of butter or a drizzle of oil. Cook each quesadilla 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. Press gently with a spatula to seal.
  8. Finish with sesame and slice. For a fun burger touch, sprinkle a few sesame seeds on the tortilla as it cooks, pressing lightly so they stick. Transfer to a board and let rest 1 minute, then slice into wedges.
  9. Serve. Drizzle or serve with the special sauce. Add shredded lettuce and tomato on the side if you want that full burger vibe. Enjoy hot and melty.