20-minute dinners

Quesadilla Bar

Seasoned beef and brown rice baked on open-face tortillas with mozzarella, then topped at the table.

Kid-friendly: Set out the toppings and let everyone build their own plate.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons ketchup
One 10-ounce bag frozen brown rice, or 1 1/4 cups cooked and cooled brown rice
Cooking spray
Four 8-inch whole-wheat flour tortillas
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
Toppings: 1/2 cup halved grape tomatoes, 1 red bell pepper in thin strips, shredded romaine, 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt, and lime wedges

1Heat the oven to 400°F. Brown the beef in the oil in a large nonstick skillet, breaking it up, until most of the liquid cooks off, about 5 minutes.
2Add the cumin, chili powder, garlic, about 1/2 teaspoon salt, and some pepper and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the ketchup and cook until the beef is cooked through, about 2 minutes more.
3Add the rice and 1/4 cup water and stir until the rice is hot, about 3 minutes.
4Lay the tortillas on a sprayed rimmed baking sheet, spoon the beef mixture over them, and sprinkle on the cheese.
5Bake 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese melts and the edges start to brown. Serve with the toppings.

Adapted from Food Network. Checked Nov 13, 2026.