Imagine biting into a culinary masterpiece that combines the best of two worlds – the juicy, satisfying burger and the crispy, cheesy quesadilla. This Applebee's-inspired recipe is about to revolutionize your dinner game, bringing restaurant-quality flavor right to your home kitchen. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a dish that's so delicious, it'll have everyone begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 tsp taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup diced onions
- 1/4 cup diced bell peppers
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by dicing onions and bell peppers into small, uniform pieces. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground beef with taco seasoning. Mix thoroughly using clean hands to ensure even seasoning distribution.
- Divide seasoned ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape into thin patties, making them slightly larger than the tortillas to account for shrinkage during cooking.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Lightly spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook beef patties for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (well-done). Remove patties and set aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Place one flour tortilla flat in the pan.
- Sprinkle half of the tortilla with shredded cheese, diced onions, and bell peppers.
- Place a cooked beef patty on top of the cheese and vegetable mixture.
- Add salsa over the beef patty, then sprinkle additional cheese on top.
- Fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filled side, creating a half-moon shape.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted.
- Remove from skillet, let cool for 1-2 minutes, then slice diagonally into two triangles.
- Repeat the process for remaining tortillas and beef patties.
- Serve hot, optionally with additional salsa or sour cream on the side for dipping.
Tips
- Meat Matters: Use ground beef with a moderate fat content (80/20) for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Seasoning Secrets: Mix the taco seasoning thoroughly into the meat by hand to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Patty Perfection: When shaping patties, create a slight indentation in the center to prevent them from puffing up during cooking.
- Heat Control: Use medium-high heat to achieve a perfect sear on the patties without burning them.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Cover the skillet briefly with a lid to help the cheese melt more evenly and quickly.
- Crispy Tortilla Tip: Press down gently with a spatula while cooking to ensure a crisp, golden-brown exterior.
- Serving Suggestion: Let the quesadilla burger rest for a minute after cooking to allow the cheese to set and prevent burning your mouth.
- Customization: Feel free to experiment with different cheese blends or add additional toppings like jalapeños or sour cream for extra flavor!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 422kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 80mg
