Easy Steak and Cheese Quesadillas
Easy Steak and Cheese Quesadillas combine juicy, tender steak with gooey melted cheese and a crispy tortilla shell for a quick, flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This recipe is simple, versatile, and can be customized to suit your tastes or ingredients on hand.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 quesadillas (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Not Gluten Free
Meat and Cheese
- 8 oz flank or sirloin steak
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers (optional but recommended)
Other Ingredients
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for sautéing and cooking)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Prepare the Steak: Season the steak generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a little olive oil, then sear the steak on both sides for about 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let the steak rest for a few minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same pan, add more oil if needed, then sauté chopped onions and bell peppers until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. This adds a sweet, tender flavor that complements the steak.
- Assemble the Quesadillas: Lay one flour tortilla flat and sprinkle half of it with a generous layer of shredded cheese. Add sliced steak and sautéed veggies on top of the cheese, then sprinkle a little more cheese over the filling. Fold the tortilla over itself to form a half-moon shape.
- Cook Until Golden and Melty: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a small amount of oil or butter. Place the folded quesadilla in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy and the cheese inside has melted. Remove from heat and let it rest for a minute before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Rest the steak after cooking to keep it juicy and tender.
- Slice the steak thinly for balanced bites of meat and cheese.
- Cook quesadillas over medium heat to achieve a crispy crust without burning.
- Press the quesadilla gently while cooking for even heat distribution and better sealing.
- Avoid overstuffing the quesadilla to prevent fillings from spilling out and to make flipping easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: steak quesadillas, cheese quesadillas, quick dinner, easy meal, Mexican recipes