How to make a Quesadilla

In my childhood, quesadillas were large flour tortillas filled with cheese, often in the microwave. Hey, I was a kid. And now I’m not defending this method of cooking. Please give us a crispy quesadilla stove top or oven! But I still love this traditional Mexican food for snacks. It’s a quick and family-friendly meal that anyone can make, or you can serve homemade quesadillas as a snack, appetizer, or part of a bigger party spread.

Also, Quesadillas love to be filled with so many different things based on what you like and what you have at hand. The recipe card shares how to make ground beef and cheese quesadillas, but lists and links a variety of fillings that can be easily exchanged.

Related: Next, you will learn to make the best enchiladas and stuffed animals.

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I like to use a large burrito size flour tortilla. Corn tortillas are more traditional and you can use the tortilla size or type of tortilla you like. They all work! But I use large flour tortillas most of the time.

I usually use shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese. Melted cheese works well with quesadillas and you can also use different cheese combinations.

When you’re making quesadillas as your main course, you often include ground beef, but ground meats like turkey and chicken work the same way. If you don’t want to use meat but want a stuffed meal, try beans like black beans or other beans as part of the stuffing. Alternatively, make a breakfast quesadilla and use scrambled eggs or sausages as a filling.

How to make quesadillas – how to use a stove top

First, prepare the filling. Cook the ground beef over medium-high heat in a frying pan or a large pot. Season with taco seasonings and break the meat with a cooking spoon while you’re working. The meat should be cooked without remaining pink. Next, move to the bowl.

Add 1 teaspoon of oil to a large pan over medium heat. Next, add the tortilla and sprinkle with cheese and cooked meat. Place the lid on top (if there is a lid in the pan) and cook for 2 minutes until the cheese melts. Next, turn the tortilla over itself to create a half-moon shape.

Move to the plate and allow to cool for a few minutes before cutting into segments. Enjoy warmly.

How to bake quesadillas – how to use oven

When making just one or two on a stove top, I like to cook quesadillas on the stove, but if you want to make more at once, baking in the oven is the way to go!

Polish the baking sheet with a small oil on which the tortilla is placed. Next, add the tortillas. Add cheese and cooked meat to half (the same method as above for cooking meat). Next, fold the tortilla onto itself to create a half-moon shape. The top is also polished with oil.

Bake at 400°F for 5-6 minutes, then carefully flip the quesadilla to the other side. This uses tongs. Bake for an additional 5-6 minutes (10-12 minutes in total).

Tips and notes

• I mostly use olive oil when cooking, but here the cooking oil works: canola, vegetables, peanuts, coconuts, avocados, etc. You can also use butter or ghee instead if you like.
• I like to cover the lid with the lid when the quesadillas cook. This is because it helps the cheese melt faster. However, this is fine if there is no lid on the pan or frying pan. The cheese still melts.
• I like to serve quesadillas along with salsa and sour cream. Other great additions are Pico de Garo, Guacamole and Quesadilla sauces (see recipes below).
• Quesadillas are perfect for the day they are made, but they can be pre-packed with meat. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Rearm in an oven or microwave.

More Mexican and Tex Mex Recipes

Quesadilla sauce

• 1/4 cup Mayo
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp chili powder

This is like the sauce that comes in Taco Bell Quesadilla, and it’s a homemade version. Mix all the ingredients together and sprinkle them into the tortilla before cooking or serve as a dipping sauce on the sides. This sauce is great with tacos, enchiladas, tostadas and more!