Smashburger Quesadillas: Crispy, Cheesy, Quick Meal (Print Version)

Whip up these easy Smashburger Quesadillas for a quick, cheesy, satisfying meal! My secret tips make them extra crispy.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American-Mexican Fusion
Dietary: None

# Ingredients:

→ Smashburger Base

01 - 1/2 lb ground beef (80/20 chuck)
02 - 2 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
03 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Flavor Kickers

04 - 1/4 yellow onion, finely diced
05 - 4-6 thin dill pickle slices
06 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
07 - 1 tbsp ketchup

→ Seasoning Staples

08 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
10 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder

→ Optional Drizzle

11 - 1 tsp vegetable oil (for cooking)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get everything ready, hon! Finely dice your yellow onion and set it aside. Shred your cheddar cheese if it's not already. Divide your ground beef into 4 equal balls – don't press them yet, just gentle balls. This is where I sometimes get distracted and forget to slice the pickles until the last minute, causing a frantic search for the jar. Have your tortillas, mustard, and ketchup within arm's reach. A little mise en place prevents kitchen chaos, trust me!
02 - Heat a large non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it’s smoking hot. Drizzle in a tiny bit of oil. Place two beef balls in the pan, then immediately smash them flat with a sturdy spatula or a burger press, pressing down really hard for about 10-15 seconds. Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let them cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until a beautiful, crispy crust forms. This is the magic part, don't mess with them! I once tried to flip too early and lost all that glorious crust – oops.
03 - Carefully flip the smashed patties. Immediately place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of each patty. Let them cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey and the beef is cooked through. You'll see that cheese getting all bubbly and irresistible. This step smells amazing, truly. If you're making more than two patties, remove these to a plate and repeat with the remaining beef, keeping them warm.
04 - Wipe out your skillet, or use a fresh one. Place one large flour tortilla in the warm skillet over medium heat. Arrange two cheesy smashburger patties on one half of the tortilla. Sprinkle generously with diced onion and thin pickle slices. Drizzle with a bit of mustard and ketchup. This is where you can totally customize your Smashburger Quesadillas – add more or less of what you love!
05 - Sprinkle a little extra cheese on the empty half of the tortilla, then carefully fold it over the burger-filled half. Press down gently with your spatula. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside is fully melted, holding everything together. I sometimes press a little too hard and some cheese oozes out, which isn't the worst thing, honestly – crispy cheese bits are delicious!
06 - Carefully remove the crispy Smashburger Quesadillas from the pan and let it rest for just a minute or two before slicing in half. This helps everything settle. Serve immediately! The outside will be wonderfully crisp, and the inside a gooey, savory explosion of flavor. It’s messy, it’s glorious, and it’s always a huge hit in my kitchen. Enjoy your Smashburger Quesadillas, my friend!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd your pan; smash those patties in batches for the best crust.
02 - You can prep the burger patties ahead of time, then just smash and assemble when hungry.
03 - Ran out of cheddar? Monterey Jack or even a spicy pepper jack works beautifully here.
04 - Serve these Smashburger Quesadillas with a side of extra pickles and a cold root beer, trust me.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large non-stick or cast-iron skillet
02 - sturdy spatula or burger press
03 - sharp knife
04 - cutting board

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 750 kcal
Total Fat: 50g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 35g

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