1teaspoonolive oilor canola, vegetable, or peanut oil
1small onionchopped
½cupcooked corn kernels
½cupchopped bell pepper
1clovegarlicminced
1teaspoonfinely minced jalapeno
1teaspoonchili powder
½teaspoonground cumin
½teaspoondried oregano
2scallionstrimmed and chopped (white and green parts)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepperto taste
4teaspoonsunsalted butterdivided
88-inch flour tortillas
3cups(12 ounces) mixed shredded Mexican blend cheese and shredded havartior the shredded cheese of your choice
Sour cream and salsato serve, if desired
Instructions
Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the meat, until it’s crumbly and browned throughout, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a colander and drain.
Heat the oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, bell pepper, garlic, jalapeno, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt and pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and the spices are nice and toasty and aromatic, 5 minutes. Return the browned beef to the skillet, add the scallions, and stir to combine.
Heat another large skillet over medium high heat and add a half teaspoon of butter. Place a tortilla in the pan. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the cheese over half of the quesadilla, and distribute 1/8 of the ground beef mixture over the cheese. Top that with another 2 tablespoons of the shredded cheese. Flip the bare half of the tortilla over the filling, cover the pan, and sauté for about 2 minutes until the bottom is golden and the cheese has started to melt, then use a spatula to flip the half-moon quesadilla, and continue to cook, uncovered, until all of the cheese is melted and the underside is browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove the quesadilla to a cutting board and let the quesadilla sit for a minute before you slice into 3 wedges. Repeat until all of the quesadillas are cooked. Serve with sour cream and salsa, as desired.
Notes
I also love quesadillas as appetizers, especially if you have the time to make a few different kinds – people just love an assortment of cheesy triangles to munch on with drinks (and who can blame these people). More quesadilla recipe suggestions below.And these are hearty enough to be a main course, especially if you pair them with a salad like Hearts of Palm Salad or Mixed Greens with Pomegranate Vinaigrette. Pass the sour cream and salsa or Pico de Gallo!