1. Cook the Ground Beef

Start by heating a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and allow it to heat up. Once the oil is hot, add the finely chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent.

Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for another 30 seconds, being careful not to let the garlic burn. Then, add the ground beef to the pan. Break up the meat with a spatula as it cooks to ensure it cooks evenly. Continue cooking the ground beef for about 6-8 minutes until it’s browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

2. Season the Beef

Once the ground beef is cooked, sprinkle the taco seasoning mix over the meat. Add 1/2 cup of water (or follow the instructions on the taco seasoning packet for the correct amount of water). Stir everything together to combine, allowing the seasoning to coat the meat evenly. Let the beef simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is well incorporated.

Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper if needed, adjusting the seasoning to your preference. Once the beef is well-seasoned and saucy, remove it from the heat and set it aside.

3. Assemble the Quesadillas

Now, it’s time to assemble the quesadillas. Lay out your flour tortillas on a flat surface. On one half of each tortilla, spoon a generous amount of the seasoned ground beef mixture. Be sure to spread it evenly to cover the surface of the tortilla.

Next, sprinkle a good amount of shredded cheese over the beef. You can use just cheddar or mix different cheeses for more flavor and creaminess. The cheese is what will help hold the quesadilla together and melt into the beef.

4. Cook the Quesadillas

Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, place one of the assembled quesadillas in the skillet. Allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy. Then, carefully flip the quesadilla over using a spatula. Cook the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the tortilla is golden and the cheese is fully melted.

If you prefer a slightly less crispy quesadilla, you can lower the heat to medium-low and cook them for a bit longer, making sure the cheese has fully melted inside without over-crisping the tortilla.

Repeat this process with the remaining quesadillas. You may need to add a little more oil to the skillet between batches if it looks dry.

5. Serve the Quesadillas

Once the quesadillas are cooked, remove them from the skillet and place them on a cutting board. Let them cool for a minute before slicing into wedges, as the cheese will be very hot.

Serve your cheesy ground beef quesadillas with optional toppings such as sour cream, salsa, or fresh cilantro for added flavor and freshness.