Pin it A family-friendly, crowd-pleasing dish featuring crispy baked tortillas filled with melty cheese, seasoned meat, and colorful vegetables&perfect for easy weeknight dinners or gatherings.
This recipe quickly became a household favorite as it brings everyone together for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- Meat & Protein: 500 g (1 lb) ground beef or chicken (or drained canned black beans for vegetarian), 1 tbsp olive oil
- Vegetables: 1 medium red bell pepper diced, 1 medium yellow onion diced, 150 g (1 cup) corn kernels (fresh canned or frozen), 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 jalapeño seeded and finely chopped (optional)
- Spices: 1 ½ tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper
- Other: 12 large flour tortillas (approx 25 cm / 10-inch), 300 g (3 cups) shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, 2 tbsp melted butter or neutral oil (for brushing), Optional toppings sour cream salsa guacamole chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a large rimmed sheet pan (approx 43x30 cm / 17x12 inch) with nonstick spray or a little oil.
- Step 2:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground meat and cook breaking up with a spoon until browned and almost cooked through about 5 minutes.
- Step 3:
- Add onion bell pepper corn and jalapeño. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
- Step 4:
- Stir in garlic cumin paprika chili powder oregano salt and black pepper. Cook 1 minute longer. Remove from heat. If using beans add now and warm through.
- Step 5:
- Arrange 6 tortillas overlapping around the edges of the sheet pan so half of each hangs over the side with 1 tortilla covering the center.
- Step 6:
- Evenly spread the meat and vegetable mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the filling.
- Step 7:
- Place 1 more tortilla in the center then fold the overhanging tortillas over the filling to fully enclose it.
- Step 8:
- Brush the top with melted butter or oil.
- Step 9:
- Place another sheet pan on top and press down gently. Bake for 15 minutes then remove the top pan and bake another 5 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Step 10:
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing into squares. Serve with desired toppings.
Pin it This dish always brings smiles around the table and is perfect for sharing with family on busy weeknights.
Notes
Make vegetarian by substituting beans for meat. Add spinach mushrooms or zucchini for extra veggies. For spicy quesadillas increase the chili powder or add hot sauce to the filling.
Required Tools
Large rimmed sheet pan Large skillet Spatula or wooden spoon Pastry brush Knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (flour tortillas) Milk (cheese butter). May contain Soy (depending on tortillas and cheese brands). If using vegetarian options check beans and cheese for allergens. Always double-check ingredient labels if sensitive to allergens.
Pin it 
Enjoy these quesadillas fresh and crispy right out of the oven for the best experience.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, substitute the ground meat with drained canned black beans to keep the filling hearty and flavorful.
- → What type of cheese works best?
Shredded cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend melts well and complements the spices and vegetables perfectly.
- → How do I make the tortillas crispy?
Brushing the top with melted butter or neutral oil before baking helps achieve a golden, crisp texture on the tortillas.
- → Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely, try adding spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to increase the veggie content and flavor.
- → What sides pair well with this dish?
This dish pairs nicely with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or a crisp Mexican lager for a refreshing balance.