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Beef Quesadilla Bake

Golden crispy beef quesadilla bake slice with melted cheese and fresh cilantro garnish.
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A comforting casserole that transforms classic quesadilla flavors into an easy, one-pan meal. Layers of savory beef, beans, corn, and cheese between tortillas bake into a gooey, family-friendly dinner. It’s a balanced, flavor-forward approach to healthy comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (90/10)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet (about 2 tablespoons) taco seasoning
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained (or 1.5 cups frozen corn)
  • 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), undrained
  • 1 cup your favorite salsa
  • 8-10 large flour tortillas (burrito-size)
  • 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • For serving: sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, onion, and bell pepper until beef is browned and veggies are soft, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the mixture and stir to coat.
  5. Add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with chiles, and salsa. Stir and simmer for 3-4 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.
  6. Spread 1 cup of the beef mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  7. Arrange a single layer of tortillas over the mixture, tearing to fit.
  8. Spoon half of the remaining beef mixture over the tortillas, then sprinkle with one-third of the cheese.
  9. Repeat layers: tortillas, remaining beef mixture, another third of the cheese.
  10. Top with a final layer of tortillas and the remaining cheese.
  11. Cover dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
  12. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and edges are lightly golden.
  13. Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving with desired toppings.

Notes

Letting the bake rest is crucial for clean slices. For a lighter version, use ground turkey, low-sodium ingredients, or reduced-fat cheese. The bake can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before baking, or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.homestyletable.com/beef-quesadilla-bake/