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Close-up of cheesy Smashburger Quesadillas stacked on a wooden board with lettuce and ground beef filling

Smashburger Quesadillas: A Game-Changer for Busy Weeknights


  • Author: Nova
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 quesadillas (serves 4-5) 1x

Description

Crispy, cheesy, and packed with juicy ground beef and tangy sauce, these Smashburger Quesadillas are the ultimate quick dinner comfort food.


Ingredients

Scale

6 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons minced sweet pickles or sweet pickle relish

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

20 ounces ground beef

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

16 slices American cheese singles

8 (8- to 9-inch) flour tortillas

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

20 to 24 dill pickle chips

1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper


Instructions

1. In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles or relish, sugar, and vinegar. Set aside or refrigerate if preparing in advance.

2. Divide the ground beef into four 5-ounce balls and gently press to shape.

3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet until shimmering. Add a beef ball and smash it flat with a stiff spatula to match tortilla size. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Cook the patty undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until a crust forms. Flip carefully to retain browned bits.

5. Top with 2 slices of cheese, 5–6 pickle chips, and a spoonful of chopped onion. Add a tortilla on top and press down.

6. Flip again, add 2 more cheese slices, and top with another tortilla. Press to adhere.

7. Flip one final time and cook for about 30 seconds until cheese melts. Remove from skillet.

8. Repeat with remaining beef balls, cheese, tortillas, and toppings.

9. Slice each quesadilla into 6 wedges. Top with shredded lettuce and drizzle with the special sauce or serve it on the side.

Notes

To save time, prep the special sauce up to 3 days in advance.

Swap American cheese with cheddar or pepper jack for a twist.

For easy flipping, use a wide spatula or slide the quesadilla onto a plate, then flip it back into the skillet.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 quesadilla
  • Calories: 560
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 1040mg
  • Fat: 37g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 26g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: Smashburger Quesadillas, Quick Dinner For Big Family, Easy Game Night Dinners, Recipes For 5 People, Meal Ideas Cheap Budget Recipes