Crispy Baked Cheeseburger Quesadillas Recipe

These crispy baked cheeseburger quesadillas are a family favorite: crisp flour tortillas stuffed with sharp cheddar and seasoned cheeseburger meat, then topped with shredded lettuce, juicy tomatoes, pickles, tangy pickled onions and a creamy house burger sauce.

Here’s an embarrassingly easy meal you’ll want on repeat.

crispy baked cheeseburger quesadillas

These baked cheeseburger quesadillas get requested all the time. The tortillas bake up ridiculously crisp, the filling is cheesy and savory, and fresh toppings—romaine, tomatoes and pickled onions—add bright contrast. A generous drizzle of the house sauce pulls everything together.

crispy baked cheeseburger quesadillas

This recipe works for weeknights, happy hour, late-night snacking or a quick shared lunch. It’s simple to scale up and easy enough for kids to enjoy.

crispy baked cheeseburger quesadillas

This is a bit of a cheat recipe if you already love other cheeseburger-inspired dishes—think tacos or tostadas—but that combination of seasoned meat, cheese and tangy sauce is just irresistible. I often make it with lean ground turkey or beef and plenty of sharp cheddar, then load up the finished quesadillas with salad-style toppings.

crispy baked cheeseburger quesadillas

The house sauce is a highlight—creamy and slightly tangy, similar to a popular fast-food sauce but easy to make at home. It’s great as a dip or drizzle on burgers, bowls, fries and of course, these quesadillas.

crispy baked cheeseburger quesadillas

Baking quesadillas is my go-to because you can make several at once and feed a crowd without standing over a skillet flipping each one. The tortillas crisp evenly in the oven, and the fillings stay put so you don’t have to worry about a messy flip.

crispy baked cheeseburger quesadillas

Most importantly: they’re ultra-crisp. The tortillas become crunchy all over for a satisfying texture that elevates the whole quesadilla experience.

crispy baked cheeseburger quesadillas

Crispy Baked Cheeseburger Quesadillas

img 98962 8

Crispy Baked Cheeseburger Quesadillas

Yield:
4
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Crispy flour tortillas filled with cheddar cheeseburger beef, topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, pickled onions and a creamy house burger sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of lean ground turkey or beef
  • Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar, freshly grated
  • 4 to 6 burrito-size tortillas
  • Olive oil spray or a light brush of oil
  • Chopped tomatoes, for topping
  • Shredded lettuce, for topping
  • Pickled onions, for topping
  • Pickles or relish, for topping

How Sweet Eats House Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon your favorite BBQ sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with olive oil or spray so the tortillas crisp evenly.
  • Heat a skillet over medium. Add the ground turkey or beef with a big pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until browned, breaking the meat into small crumbles. Stir in the ketchup and mustard until combined. Remove from heat and stir in an ounce or two of the grated cheddar.
  • Assemble the quesadillas on the prepared baking sheet: place a tortilla down, sprinkle cheese on one half, add some of the meat mixture, then another sprinkle of cheese. Top with a second tortilla and brush or spray the top with olive oil. Repeat to make 2–3 large quesadillas depending on how full you make them.
  • Bake for 8 minutes, then gently flip and bake another 8 minutes, until both sides are golden and very crisp.
  • Slice and serve topped with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, pickled onions, pickles or relish, and a generous drizzle of house sauce.

House Sauce

  • Whisk all house sauce ingredients together until smooth. Make ahead and refrigerate—it keeps well and adds instant flavor to many dishes.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: How Sweet Eats

Did you make this recipe?

Share your photos and tag the creator to let them know—your feedback is appreciated.

crispy baked cheeseburger quesadillas

Love a burger in any form.