I'm always on the hunt for those magic dinners that my daughter, Olivia, will eat with zero fuss. Well, let me introduce you to my new "Clean Plate Club" champion: the Smashburger Quesadilla! It's the ultimate kid-friendly dinner. I mean, what's not to love? It's a cheesy quesadilla and a yummy burger all in one. It's the best easy ground beef recipe I've found in ages!
Smashburger quesadillas are a delicious twist on the viral smashburger taco trend that took over social media. It's a taco created by placing a tortilla on top of a smashed burger patty, creating that iconic smash burger quesadilla crusted patty everyone loves. These quesadillas loaded with crispy beef and melty cheese are one of those cheap easy meals for 2 that tastes like restaurant quality.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Smashburger Quesadillas
- Ingredients for Smashburger Quesadillas
- How to Make Smashburger Quesadillas
- My Top Tips for Smashburger Quesadillas
- Making Smashburger Quesadillas with My Family
- Substitutions for Smashburger Quesadillas
- Variations on Smashburger Quesadillas
- Equipment for Smashburger Quesadillas
- Storage Tips for Smashburger Quesadillas
- Adam's Tip for Smashburger Quesadillas
- FAQ about Smashburger Quesadillas
- Conclusion
- Related
- Pairing
- recipe
Why You'll Love This Smashburger Quesadillas
- Restaurant copycat at home: Enjoy three restaurant copycat recipes in one 30-minute meal! This combines the best of smashburgers, quesadillas, and fast food classics.
- Crispy and melty: The double tortilla layering creates extra crispiness while the American cheese "glue" melt holds everything together perfectly.
- Quick and easy: These quesadillas loaded with crispy beef and melty cheese come together faster than ordering takeout.
Ingredients for Smashburger Quesadillas
This cheeseburger quesadilla recipe uses simple ingredients to create a fast-food cheeseburger mash-up quesadilla that's irresistible. Savor the flavors of a fast food cheeseburger in my easy Cheeseburger Quesadillas with the perfect ratio of beef, cheese, and toppings. You can make these as quesadilla smash burger blackstone style on a griddle or in a regular skillet.
What You'll Need
For the Smashburgers:
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend for best flavor)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 small flour tortillas (6 to 8-inch size)
- 8 slices American cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Toppings:
- ½ cup diced pickles
- ½ cup diced white onion
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons mustard
For the Special Sauce:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon pickle relish
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Why These Ingredients Matter
- 80/20 ground beef: Using lean ground-beef 20 % fat smash creates the perfect balance of flavor and juiciness without being too greasy.
- American cheese: This is the classic choice for American cheese "glue" melt that binds the quesadilla layers together and gives that authentic burger taste.
- Small flour tortillas: The 6 to 8-inch size is perfect for creating individual quesadillas that are easy to flip and serve.
How to Make Smashburger Quesadillas
Step-by-Step Directions
- In a small bowl, mix together the special sauce burger quesadilla ingredients: mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, garlic powder, and onion powder. Set aside.
- Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions (about 2 ounces each) and roll into loose balls. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
- Place one tortilla in the hot skillet. Immediately place a beef ball in the center of the tortilla.
- Using a sturdy spatula or burger press, smash the beef down hard onto the tortilla to create a thin patty with a charred burger-style beef crust.
- Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes without moving it, allowing the beef to crisp up and stick to the tortilla.
- Place a slice of American cheese on top of the patty.
- Place a second tortilla on top of the cheese, creating the double tortilla layering.
- Carefully flip the entire quesadilla and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Remove from the skillet and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
- Open each quesadilla and add pickles, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and the special sauce.
- Fold back together, slice in half, and serve immediately.
Hint: For cheeseburger quesadilla tiktok style, add extra cheese between the tortillas before flipping for an ultra-cheesy version that's even more indulgent.
My Top Tips for Smashburger Quesadillas
Don't be shy when smashing the beef. You really need to press down hard to create that thin, crispy patty with all those delicious crispy edges. The harder you smash, the more surface area you create for that charred burger-style beef crust that makes these so addictive. This technique is similar to what we use with our easy taco lasagna recipe, where proper layering and pressing makes all the difference.
Making Smashburger Quesadillas with My Family
Last Friday night, Adam helped me make these smashburger quesadilla creations. He was fascinated by the smashing process and asked, "Can I be the official smasher?" I handed him the spatula and he took his job very seriously, pressing down with both hands.
When we sat down to eat, Adam bit into his quesadilla and said, "This is like if a burger and a quesadilla got married and had the coolest baby ever." Grandma Viola, who stopped by for dinner, tried one and said, "Smashburger quesadilla recipe: smash beef, add cheese, pickles, onions, and sauce, wrap in tortilla, and pan-fry is genius. This is going to be popular with my bridge club."
Substitutions for Smashburger Quesadillas
- Protein: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version, or try plant-based meat for a vegetarian smash burger wraps option.
- Cheese: Try cheddar, pepper jack, or Swiss for different flavor profiles, though American cheese gives the most authentic burger taste.
- Tortillas: Use whole wheat or low-carb tortillas for a healthier option, or corn tortillas for a different texture.
- Toppings: Add bacon, jalapeños, or avocado for extra flavor and make it a loaded quesadilla.
Variations on Smashburger Quesadillas
- Applebee's style: Make cheeseburger quesadilla applebee's inspired by adding ranch dressing and crispy bacon to the filling.
- Sheet pan version: Try sheet pan cheeseburger quesadilla by arranging multiple quesadillas on a baking sheet and baking at 425°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Blackstone style: Create quesadilla smash burger blackstone by making these on a flat-top griddle for even more crispy edges. Check out these quesadilla burgers for more burger-quesadilla fusion ideas.
Equipment for Smashburger Quesadillas
- Large heavy skillet or griddle: Cast iron works best for getting that perfect crispy crust on both the beef and tortilla.
- Heavy-duty spatula or burger press: Essential for smashing the beef down hard enough to create the crispy edges.
- Small mixing bowl: For combining the special sauce ingredients before assembly.
- Sharp knife: For dicing toppings and cutting the finished quesadillas in half.
Storage Tips for Smashburger Quesadillas
- Refrigerator: Store assembled quesadillas in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet to restore crispiness.
- Make-ahead: You can prep the special sauce and dice toppings ahead of time, but quesadillas are best made fresh.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or use an air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes.
These smash quesadilla creations are perfect for kid approved dinners picky eaters and quick kid friendly dinners. They're also great for football dinner ideas or vacation dinner ideas when you want something fun and easy. They pair beautifully with our Hawaiian chicken sheet pan when you want variety in your weekly meals under $5.
Adam's Tip for Smashburger Quesadillas
"Make sure you smash the burger really hard so it gets super crispy. The crispy parts are the best parts. Also, don't forget the pickles because they make it taste like a real cheeseburger."
FAQ about Smashburger Quesadillas
What is the secret to a crispy quesadilla?
The secret to a crispy quesadilla is high heat, a little butter or oil, and not overloading the filling. For these smashburger quesadillas, the smash burger quesadilla crusted patty technique creates natural crispiness when you press the beef directly onto the tortilla. Cook on medium-high heat and don't flip too early. Let each side develop a golden brown crust before turning. The double tortilla layering also helps create extra crispy edges.
What are the 4 components of an authentic quesadilla?
The four components of an authentic quesadilla are: tortilla, cheese, filling, and fat for cooking. For these cheeseburger quesadillas, we use flour tortillas, American cheese "glue" melt, seasoned smashed beef, and butter. Traditional Mexican quesadillas use corn tortillas and Oaxaca or Chihuahua cheese, but this fast-food cheeseburger mash-up quesadilla style adapts the concept with burger-inspired ingredients.
What kind of cheese is best in a cheeseburger quesadilla?
American cheese is best in a cheeseburger quesadilla because it melts smoothly and creates that authentic burger taste. The American cheese "glue" melt binds the layers together perfectly. However, you can also use cheddar for sharper flavor, pepper jack for heat, or a Mexican cheese blend. For the most authentic cheeseburger quesadilla applebee's or cookout cheeseburger quesadilla recipe taste, stick with American cheese.
What's the best cheese to use on a smashburger?
American cheese is the classic choice for smashburgers because it melts evenly and has that nostalgic burger flavor. For these smashburger quesadillas, American cheese works perfectly as the American cheese "glue" melt between the tortilla layers. Some people prefer cheddar for a sharper taste, or Swiss for a milder flavor. The key is using cheese that melts well and complements the charred burger-style beef crust.
Conclusion
It's the best feeling in the world to see a "clean plate" and a happy smile from your kids. I hope this "Olivia-approved" cheesy, burger-stuffed quesadilla becomes your new secret weapon for a fast, fun, and totally fuss-free family dinner! These Smashburger Quesadillas with their smash burger quesadilla crusted patty and double tortilla layering are pure comfort food magic.
These quesadillas loaded with crispy beef and melty cheese are perfect for kid approved dinners picky eaters and cheap easy meals for 2. Whether you make them quesadilla smash burger blackstone style or in a skillet, they're always winners. Try our cheesy garlic chicken wraps or sweet Hawaiian crockpot chicken for more family favorites. Let me know how yours turn out! Enjoy.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Smashburger Quesadillas:
recipe
Easy Smashburger Quesadillas
Equipment
- 1 Large heavy skillet or griddle Cast iron or a flat-top works best for crispy edges.
- 1 Heavy-duty spatula or burger press You’ll need this to smash the beef nice and thin.
- 1 Small mixing bowl For the special sauce.
- 1 Sharp knife For chopping toppings and slicing quesadillas.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20) Juicy and flavorful for smashing.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 small flour tortillas 6–8 inch size works best.
- 8 slices American cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup diced pickles
- ½ cup diced white onion
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon pickle relish
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, garlic powder, and onion powder to make the special sauce. Set aside.
- Divide ground beef into 8 equal balls and season each with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and melt a little butter.
- Place a tortilla in the skillet, top with a beef ball, and smash it thin using a spatula or burger press. Cook for 2–3 minutes until crispy.
- Add a slice of American cheese over the beef and place a second tortilla on top. Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook another 2–3 minutes until golden.
- Remove from heat, open the quesadilla, and fill with diced pickles, onion, lettuce, tomatoes, and a drizzle of special sauce. Fold and slice to serve.
- Remove from heat, open the quesadilla, and add [pickles], [onion], [lettuce], [tomatoes], and a drizzle of special sauce. Fold, slice in half, and serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken.
- Whole wheat or low-carb tortillas work well if preferred.
- These are best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated in a skillet.
- Let kids help with mixing sauce or adding toppings, it makes the meal more special and builds confidence in the kitchen.
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