Here’s a recipe for a Cheeseburger Quesadilla with Special Sauce — a fun, cheesy, savory mashup of cheeseburger flavors inside a crispy quesadilla, with a tasty special sauce to tie it all together.
Cheeseburger Quesadilla with Special Sauce
Ingredients:
For the Quesadilla:
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1 lb (450g) ground beef
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
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4 large flour tortillas
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or Mexican blend)
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1 small onion, finely diced
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1 medium tomato, diced (optional)
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1/4 cup pickles, chopped (optional)
For the Special Sauce:
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1/2 cup mayonnaise
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2 tbsp ketchup
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1 tbsp yellow mustard
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1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tsp pickle juice (from jarred pickles)
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1/2 tsp garlic powder
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1/2 tsp smoked paprika
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Make the Special Sauce:
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In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pickle juice, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. This allows the flavors to meld.
2. Cook the Ground Beef:
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Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula.
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Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
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Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes.
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Drain any excess fat.
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Set aside.
3. Prepare the Quesadilla:
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Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
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Place one tortilla flat on the skillet.
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Sprinkle a layer of cheddar and mozzarella cheese over half of the tortilla.
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Add a generous spoonful of cooked ground beef over the cheese.
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Sprinkle diced onions, tomatoes, and pickles over the beef (if using).
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Add a drizzle of the special sauce on top.
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Add another layer of cheese over the toppings (this helps the quesadilla stick together).
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Fold the tortilla in half over the fillings.
4. Cook the Quesadilla:
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Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side, pressing gently with a spatula until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy.
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Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the other side is golden and the cheese inside is melted.
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Remove from the skillet and let cool for a minute.
5. Serve:
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Cut the quesadilla into wedges.
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Serve with extra special sauce on the side for dipping.
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Optional: Add a side of fries or a small salad.
Tips:
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Feel free to add sautéed mushrooms or jalapeños if you want more flavor or spice.
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Use good quality shredded cheese for better melting.
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If you want it cheeseburger-style, you can add a slice of tomato and shredded lettuce after cooking as a garnish (but add after cooking to keep crispness).