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Tasty Hidden Veggie Beef and Cheese Quesadillas Kids Will Love

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A quick, kid-friendly quesadilla recipe that sneaks in shredded zucchini and carrots with ground beef and melty cheese for a nutritious and delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 cup (120 g) shredded zucchini, finely shredded and moisture squeezed out
  • 1 cup (110 g) shredded carrot, finely shredded
  • 1/4 cup (40 g) minced onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 large flour tortillas (8-inch / 20 cm)
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese (or mix with Monterey Jack)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

Instructions

  1. Wash zucchini and carrots thoroughly. Shred finely using a box grater or food processor. Place shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture.
  2. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Once it begins to brown, stir in shredded zucchini and carrot.
  4. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper over the mixture. Stir well and cook until beef is fully browned and veggies are softened, about 5-6 minutes. Cook longer if mixture is too wet to evaporate excess liquid.
  5. Lay one flour tortilla on a clean surface. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup (50 g) shredded cheese evenly over half the tortilla. Spoon roughly 1/4 of the beef and veggie mixture on top of the cheese, then add another 1/4 cup (25 g) cheese over the filling. Fold tortilla over to create a half-moon shape, pressing gently to seal.
  6. Return skillet to medium heat. Place folded quesadilla in pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes until cheese is melted and tortilla is crisp. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
  7. Let quesadillas rest for a minute, then slice into wedges. Serve warm with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole if desired.

Notes

Squeeze excess moisture from shredded zucchini to avoid soggy quesadillas. Cook veggies with beef to lock in flavor and moisture. Use medium-low heat to melt cheese fully and crisp tortillas without burning. Press gently when flipping to keep filling inside. For gluten-free, use corn or gluten-free tortillas. Dairy-free cheese and vegetarian substitutions are possible.

Nutrition

Keywords: quesadillas, beef quesadillas, hidden veggies, kid-friendly, quick dinner, easy recipe, shredded zucchini, shredded carrot, cheesy quesadillas

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/tasty-hidden-veggie-beef-and-cheese-quesadillas-kids-will-love-easy-homemade-recipe/