Ground Beef Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Most quesadilla recipes are designed to make a few quesadillas, but not this one! Sheet pan quesadillas allow you to make a whole bunch all at once, which is perfect for feeding hungry kids (and grown-ups)! Easy, fun, and family-friendly, these sheet pan quesadillas are a must-have in your weeknight cooking repertoire.

Why should I make sheet pan quesadillas?

It’s tough to find meals kids enjoy that are both healthy and easy to prepare. Thankfully, quesadillas fit the bill perfectly. Whether they’re chicken quesadillas or beef, kids love the hands-on experience of eating this cheesy meal.

Sheet pan quesadillas take this traditional dinner favorite up a notch because they’re so darn easy to make! You can whip up a batch that’s large enough to serve the entire family with only 15 minutes of prep time. The best part is, they’re cheesy, crispy, and 100% delicious, meaning your entire family is bound to love them.

How do you keep quesadillas from falling apart?

The great thing about sheet pan quesadillas is that you don’t have to worry about them falling apart when you flip them. But there are still a few steps you can take to make sure they don’t fall apart when you remove them from the sheet pan:

1. Use the right tortilla. For these sheet pan quesadillas, flour tortillas hold together better than corn. Larger burrito-size tortillas are also best—you can fold them over the filling more easily, so everything is sealed inside the tortilla. 
2. Don’t skimp on the cheese. The cheese acts like glue to stick the tortilla to the ground beef and salsa mixture.

Do I grease the pan for sheet pan quesadillas?

Yes! You want your baking sheet greased before you put down your layer of tortillas. This will prevent melted cheese and salsa from sticking to the tray. It also prevents your tortilla from sticking to the pan.

What is the best melting cheese for quesadillas?

You can use any cheese you have on hand to make sheet pan quesadillas—but there are a few that have that extra melty factor that holds your quesadillas together! I’ve found that Mexican cheese blends, Monterey jack, pepper jack, and shredded cheddar cheese are the best melting cheeses for this recipe. They have the perfect combination of flavor and meltiness for quesadillas.

How do I make sheet pan quesadillas?

The best weeknight dinners are simple, and these sheet pan quesadillas are no exception. It’ll take 15 minutes of hands-on prep work to get your quesadillas in the oven, which frees up plenty of time for all those other weeknight things begging for your attention.

First, let’s make the ground beef filling:

1. Prepare by preheating your oven to 425°F, greasing a large baking sheet, and heating oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook your chopped onion in the skillet until it’s soft, add the ground beef, and cook until brown. Remove the skillet from the heat and drain away the grease.
3. Add the spices and salsa to the beef and onion mixture.
4. Stir until thoroughly mixed, then set aside.

Now, add the filling to your tortillas, fold, and bake:

 

1. Arrange six of your tortillas so they cover the bottom of the baking sheet. There will be some overlap and the edges of the tortillas should hang over the edge of the pan by five to six inches.
2. Spread the beef mixture over the tortillas and top with the shredded cheese.
3. Place the final tortilla in the center of the pan. Fold the overhanging tortillas so they cover the beef and cheese mixture, completely encasing the filling in tortillas.
4. Brush the top of the tortillas with avocado oil and place another baking sheet on top of the quesadillas. This will prevent them from opening while they’re cooking.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the top tray and return to the oven for another five so the tops of the quesadillas can become golden and crispy.
6. Remove the cooked quesadillas from the oven, allow to cool slightly, then cut them into squares for easy serving.

What should I serve these ground beef quesadillas with?

Quesadillas are best served with some type of yummy dipping sauce. You can use salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, avocado, or any dipping sauce you like!

How do I reheat the leftovers?

Stash the leftovers in the fridge. They can be reheated in a skillet for 2-3 minutes per side, or warmed in a toaster oven.

We also love quesadillas for school lunches! My kid doesn’t mind them cold, but you can also reheat them and send them for lunch in a Thermos container.

Want more quick and easy ground beef recipes? Try these!

• Creamy Taco Pasta Skillet
• Loaded Burger Bowl Salads with “Special Sauce”
• Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Potato Soup
• One Pot Hamburger Helper Copycat Recipe