Ingredients
Scale
Protein Base
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce & Seasoning
- 3/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- Optional spices: 1 tsp chili powder or smoked paprika (optional)
Quesadilla
- 4–6 flour or corn tortillas (whole wheat or gluten-free as desired)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
Optional Add-ins & Variations
- Jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes for heat
- Bell peppers, corn, or black beans for extra veggies
- Alternative cheeses like pepper jack or mozzarella
Instructions
- Prepare the Sloppy Joe Filling: Brown the ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and optional spices. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Assemble the Quesadilla: Heat a clean skillet over medium heat. Place one tortilla flat in the pan. Sprinkle a generous layer of cheese over half the tortilla, then spoon a hearty portion of the Sloppy Joe filling over the cheese. Add another layer of cheese on top.
- Cook Until Crispy: Fold the tortilla over to cover the filling. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted, carefully flipping with a spatula to prevent spilling.
- Slice and Serve: Transfer the cooked quesadilla to a cutting board. Let it rest for a minute, then slice into wedges. Serve immediately with your choice of garnishes or sides.
Notes
- Drain the meat well to prevent sogginess.
- Use medium heat to crisp tortillas without burning.
- Don’t overload the filling to avoid breaking when flipping.
- Let quesadillas rest before slicing to keep filling intact.
- Mix cheese blends, like sharp cheddar with Monterey Jack, to enhance flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free tortillas)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla (approx.)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Sloppy Joe, Quesadilla, quick dinner, kid-friendly, cheesy, savory, easy recipe, comfort food