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Smashburger Quesadillas

A joyful mash-up of the classic smashburger and quesadillas, these savory treats are quick to make and perfect for family dinners or party snacks.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20) Or swap with ground turkey or plant-based crumble.
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt Adjust to taste.
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper Adjust to taste.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch) Use whole wheat for a heartier option.
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar or American cheese Mix for melt and tang.
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced and caramelized (optional) Can swap for pickled red onion.
  • to taste dill pickle slices or chopped bread-and-butter pickles Essential for that smashburger vibe.
  • 2 tablespoons butter For cooking.
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil For cooking.
  • 0.25 cup mayo For special sauce.
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup For special sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill pickle For special sauce.
  • 1 dash hot sauce For special sauce.
Optional Add-Ons
  • to taste shredded lettuce
  • to taste tomato slices
  • to taste jalapeños For heat.
  • to taste smoked paprika

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Divide the ground beef into 4 equal balls and season lightly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  2. Shape and keep the balls loosely packed for easy flattening.
Cooking
  1. Heat a heavy skillet over high heat until smoking hot. Add a touch of oil.
  2. Place a beef ball in the skillet and press down with a spatula until very thin. Cook for 2 minutes, flip, and cook for 30–60 seconds more, then chop roughly.
  3. Caramelize onions in the same skillet by reducing heat to medium, adding butter, and cooking until soft (6–8 minutes).
  4. Assemble quesadillas by heating another clean skillet, butter one side of a tortilla, place it butter-side-down, sprinkle cheese, add meat, onions, pickles, and drizzle sauce. Top with more cheese and a second tortilla.
  5. Toast until the bottom is golden and cheese begins to melt, then flip and toast the other side for 2–3 minutes.
  6. Transfer to a cutting board, let rest for 1 minute, and slice into wedges. Serve warm with extra sauce on the side.

Notes

For variations, try using seasoned mashed black beans for a vegetarian option, or add taco seasoning for a Tex-Mex twist.