Cheesy Beef and Caramelized Onion Quesadillas

By Leite's Culinaria

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (preferably 80/20)
2 tablespoons store-bought or homemade BBQ Spice Rub
3 tablespoons water
Extra-virgin olive oil
Sixteen (8-inch) tortillas
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups caramelized onions
2 cups shredded Cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
Hot sauce (sliced avocado, jalapeños, and/or sour cream, for serving)

Prep Time10mins
Cook Time20mins
Servings8

Instructions

Place the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the beef to a colander set over a bowl to drain off the fat.

Return the beef to the skillet over medium heat. Add the spice rub and 3 tablespoons water and stir to combine. Cook, stirring, until the water has been absorbed, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.

In a medium skillet or griddle over medium heat, warm 1 teaspoon of oil. Once the oil is glistening, working with one or two at a time, add the tortillas and sprinkle each with 1/4 cup each of mozzarella, beef, caramelized onions, and Cheddar, then top with another tortilla. Cook until the bottom tortilla is golden brown and the mozzarella is melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the quesadilla and cook until the other tortilla is golden brown and the cheddar is melted, 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove from the skillet and repeat with the remaining ingredients, adding 1 teaspoon oil to the skillet for every quesadilla. TESTER TIP: To keep these quesadillas warm while you finish cooking, pop them on a sheet pan and into a 200°F (95°C) oven.

To serve, cut each quesadilla in quarters. Serve with desired toppings.