Description

Smashburger Quesadillas fuse the crispy, seared flavor of a smashburger with the gooey, melty goodness of a quesadilla. They’re fast, budget-friendly, and perfect for two—juicy beef pressed into tortillas, showered with cheese, and cooked until golden and crisp. Make them on a skillet, cast-iron, or Blackstone griddle for a weeknight win that costs under $5 and takes just minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

For Two Smashburger Quesadillas:

1/2 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
4 small flour tortillas (or 2 large, cut in half)
1 cup shredded cheddar or American cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings:

Pickles, ketchup, mustard
Grilled onions
Jalapeños or sriracha mayo (for heat)

Instructions

Season & Portion: Mix ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Divide into two thin patties, about tortilla size.
Preheat Surface: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high; lightly grease with oil or butter.
Smash & Sear: Place a patty on the hot surface. Top with a tortilla and firmly press to smash the beef into the tortilla. Cook 2–3 minutes until browned and crispy.
Flip & Cheese: Flip so tortilla faces down. Add shredded cheese over the beef; cook about 1 minute, then fold the tortilla to form a quesadilla.
Crisp & Serve: Press gently until golden and melty. Remove, slice, and serve immediately with desired toppings.

Notes

Why You’ll Love It

Fast: done in 5–10 minutes on skillet or Blackstone.
Budget: simple pantry staples; feeds two for under $5.
Customizable: swap proteins, cheeses, or add veggies.

Smart Swaps & Variations

Protein: ground turkey or plant-based meat.
Cheese: cheddar, American, or Mexican blend.
Extras: sautéed onions, mushrooms, bacon crumbles (optional).
Spicy: pepper jack + sliced jalapeños.
Breakfast twist: add scrambled eggs and breakfast toppings.

Speed Tips (Under 5 Minutes)

Pre-press patties before heating the pan.
Preheat surface well for immediate sear.
Have cheese shredded and toppings ready.

Serving Ideas

Cut in halves or quarters; drizzle with burger sauce, ketchup, or mustard.
Pair with roasted potatoes, simple salad, or fruit.
Great with iced coffee drinks or lemonade.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate up to 2 days in an airtight container.
Reheat in skillet, toaster oven, or air fryer for crispness (avoid microwave).

Common Mistakes

Overstuffing makes flipping difficult and uneven.
Not smashing thin enough—thick patties overcook tortillas.
Using lean beef—80/20 browns and tastes best.
Flipping too soon—let it develop a deep sear first.

FAQs

Make ahead? Yes; reheat in pan/oven for best texture.
Air fryer? Not ideal—smash/sear works best on a hot surface.
Freezer? Possible, but texture changes; reheat to re-crisp.
Best cheese? Cheddar, American, or a melty blend.

Cook Time: 5–10 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop

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