Crispy on the skin, gooey within the middle, this simple quesadilla recipe comes collectively in minutes. Good for a fast lunch or easy weeknight dinner.
In the case of fast meal concepts, the quesadilla is tough to beat. It’s a kind of dinners I fall again on that by no means disappoints. Whether or not I’m cooking dinner for one or feeding the entire household, a quesadilla at all times hits the spot.
It’s not rocket science to make a easy quesadilla, however I’ve obtained just a few methods that take it excessive! Whereas conventional Mexican quesadillas use corn tortillas and Oaxaca cheese, I normally go for a Tex-Mex quesadillas with flour tortillas and a mix of shredded cheese. It comes out crispy on the skin, gooey within the middle, and prepared in underneath 10 minutes: an amazing easy dinner concept for busy weeknights!
Why You’ll Love This Quesadilla Recipe
I’ve examined lots of strategies over time and right here’s why you’ll love this one:
- Crispy with out burning. A sizzling skillet and a light-weight drizzle of olive oil offer you that golden brown exterior.
- Prepared in minutes. It takes simply 2 minutes of prep time and about 5 minutes of cook dinner time!
- Filling is versatile. Use it as a base cheese quesadilla, or load it up with veggies, hen, or beans!
5-Star Reader Opinions
“Nice fundamental recipe. We sautéed onion, garlic, inexperienced peppers, and spinach. Then combined with black beans. Tremendous simple and versatile. Add some cilantro, sliced avocado, and likewise spanish rice on the aspect. Yum!” -Theresa G.
“It was actually good and yummy, positively a brand new fav!!” -Emiley
Key Elements
The components for a fundamental cheese quesadilla are quite simple. You should use it as a template to make a veggie or hen variation with just a few add-ons (see beneath). Right here’s what you’ll want for a cheese quesadilla:
- Flour or corn tortillas: Corn tortillas are conventional for Mexican-style tortillas. Additionally they make this recipe gluten-free. The standard American or Tex-Mex fashion quesadilla makes use of flour tortillas, which get a bit extra crispy when browned (like bread in a grilled cheese). Both work right here!
- Gentle cheddar cheese and Colby jack cheese: Use high quality melting cheese. The very best kinds of cheese for the American quesadilla embrace delicate cheddar, Colby Jack, and Mexican mix cheeses. Attempt to keep away from sharp cheddar as a result of it doesn’t soften as effectively. For a extra conventional Mexican quesadilla, use Oaxaca or Chihuahua cheese.
- Pico de gallo (aka contemporary salsa): Pico de gallo, or contemporary salsa, provides simply the best kick to the inside. It provides a bit of tomato, onion, garlic and jalapeno, however not a lot that you would be able to distinguish any of the particular flavors. Give it a attempt to you’ll fall in love with this trick for a next-level quesadilla! It’s simple to search out containers of pico de gallo within the refrigerated part of the grocery.
The way to Make Quesadillas
Making quesadillas is about as simple as cooking will get, however just a few small issues make a giant distinction. Right here’s my examined technique (or leap to the recipe to get began):
- Construct your quesadilla strategically. I like to make use of the folding technique by making two half circles as an alternative of 1 giant circle: this makes it simpler to flip! Place half the shredded cheese on one half of a tortilla, a pico de gallo and a pinch of salt, and another fillings you’re utilizing. Fold the tortilla over to make a half circle. Repeat with the opposite tortilla.
- Preheat your pan. Warmth a big skillet (forged iron or stainless-steel works finest) or griddle over medium-high warmth. Add a light-weight drizzle of olive oil. You need the pan sizzling sufficient that the tortilla sizzles when it hits.
- Cook dinner and press gently. Place your quesadilla within the pan and cook dinner for 1 to 2 minutes per aspect. Press gently with a spatula whereas it cooks, which helps the cheese soften evenly. Flip rigorously and cook dinner the opposite aspect till it’s golden and crisp. Slice into wedges and serve!
Professional Tip: It’s also possible to attempt making quesadillas in an air fryer at 375°F for two to three minutes per aspect, till browned on either side.
Make It Your Personal
Step up your quesadilla with just a few filling variations! You’ll be able to simply flip this fundamental template right into a veggie or hen quesadilla with the next additions:
- Black beans & contemporary veggies: To every tortilla, add 1 handful drained and rinsed black beans, 1 handful thinly sliced inexperienced onions, 1 handful canned corn, and 1 sprinkle chopped cilantro.
- Roasted veggies: Add 1 handful roasted peppers and onions or fajita veggies to every tortilla.
- Hen: To every tortilla, add ¼ cup chopped or shredded hen or chopped pan seared hen or air fryer hen.
- Beef or vegan beef: To every tortilla, add ¼ cup cooked floor beef or plant-based crumbles or taco meat (we just like the manufacturers Unimaginable and Past). Or, make Vegan Taco Meat.
What to Serve With Quesadillas
One other strategy to a next-level quesadilla? Serve it with a enjoyable dipping sauce or topping. To me, bitter cream is nearly good. However you will get inventive and serve with a Mexican crema or dipping sauce, in addition to some enjoyable aspect dishes! Listed below are some concepts:
- Easy sauces like bitter cream, salsa, or easy guacamole
- Crema like avocado crema, lime crema, cilantro lime crema or chipotle crema
- Spicy drizzles like chipotle sauce
- Facet dishes like Spanish rice and beans, cilantro lime rice, refried black beans, or a easy Mexican chopped salad
In the case of garnishes, we prefer to maintain it easy: a little bit of chopped cilantro and a dollop of sizzling sauce is all you want!
Serving a Crowd
Need to make extra quesadillas directly? Strive my Baked Quesadillas, It turns this recipe into a brilliant simple dinner by baking up a giant batch unexpectedly on a sheet pan. All of the quesadillas are accomplished on the identical time, they usually come out with a fantastically crispy exterior.
Storage & Reheating Suggestions
Quesadillas are finest eaten contemporary off the skillet, however you possibly can retailer leftovers within the fridge for as much as 2 days. Heat in a skillet over medium warmth for about 1 minute per aspect to revive the crispiness.
Dietary Notes
This quesadilla recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free (with corn tortillas).
Continuously Requested Questions
I exploit a light-weight drizzle of olive oil for cooking quesadillas. Butter provides a richer taste, however it could actually burn extra simply at greater temperatures so maintain the warmth at medium warmth.
Preheat your griddle to about 375°F to 400°F. That is sizzling sufficient to get the tortilla crispy and golden brown with out burning it. When you don’t have a griddle, a big skillet over medium-high warmth works.
Don’t overstuff them! Too many moist components launch moisture. Additionally be certain that your pan is absolutely preheated earlier than including the quesadilla, and cook dinner over medium-high warmth so the tortilla crisps up.
Simple Quesadilla Recipe
Crispy on the skin, gooey within the middle, this simple quesadilla recipe comes collectively in minutes. Good for a fast lunch or easy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 5 minutes
- Whole Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 quesadilla 1x
- Class: Major Dish
- Technique: Stovetop
- Delicacies: Tex Mex
- Weight loss program: Vegetarian
Elements
- 2 6-inch flour tortillas (per 1 serving*)
- ¼ cup shredded delicate cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup shredded Colby jack cheese**
- 2 tablespoons pico de gallo (aka contemporary salsa)
- 2 pinches salt
- Olive oil, for cooking
- Different filling gadgets: cooked hen, cooked floor beef (or plant-based crumbles), black beans, canned corn, avocado, inexperienced onions, chopped cilantro, and so forth.
- To serve: bitter cream, sizzling sauce, cilantro, avocado crema, lime crema, salsa, guacamole, chipotle sauce, and so forth.
Directions
- Place half the shredded cheese, pico de gallo, and 1 pinch salt in half of a tortilla, together with another filling gadgets (watch out to not overstuff). Fold it over to make a half circle. Repeat with the opposite tortilla.
- Warmth a chrome steel or forged iron skillet over medium excessive warmth. Add a drizzle of olive oil to frivolously coat the pan. Cook dinner for 1 to 2 minutes per aspect till browned and crisp, urgent gently with a spatula whereas cooking.
- Slice into 4 or 6 wedges and serve instantly with dipping sauces.
Notes
- Cheese choices: Monterey Jack cheese, pepper Jack, Mexican mix, mozzarella, or Oaxaca cheese all work effectively.
- Make it a hen quesadilla: Add ¼ cup shredded hen seasoned with taco seasoning or cumin to every tortilla.
- Corn tortillas: Swap flour for corn tortillas to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Need to make 8 directly? Strive my Baked Quesadillas for a simple sheet pan technique.
- Air fryer technique: Cook dinner at 375°F for two to three minutes per aspect.
