How to Make a Quesadilla

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Simple instructions for making quesadillas with your stove, oven, grill, or microwave

Co-authored by Ashley Crawford

Last Updated: April 2, 2024 Approved

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This tasty dish has its roots in Mexican cuisine and is typically made using cheese and chicken. However, you do not have to use traditional ingredients; you can experiment with different ones. This first section of this article will show you how to choose your ingredients, while the other sections will show you how to make a quesadilla in different ways.

Prep time (Stove): 5-10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients

½ teaspoon olive oil
9–10 inches (23–25 cm) flour tortilla
½ cup (50 grams) shredded cheese
½ cup (120 grams) filling of choice (meat, beans, vegetables, etc.)

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Frying a Quesadilla on a Stove

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1
Choose your filling and mix it together in a bowl. You can use any combination of vegetables, meats, or grains, so long as you end up with ½ cup (120 grams). If you are using meat or vegetables, make sure that they are cooked. Here are some suggestions to get you started:^{[1]
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- For meat, try thinly-sliced steak, pulled pork, or shredded chicken breast.
- For vegetables, try sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, or corn.
- For beans, try black beans or pinto beans.
You will need only about ½ teaspoon of butter or oil; avoid using too much, or your quesadilla will become too soggy. If using oil, try going for a lighter oil, such as canola or vegetable oil; olive oil will give the quesadilla too strong of a flavor.^{[2]
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Make sure that the butter is spread evenly across the surface of the pan. At this point, you can start adding your fillings or you can flip the tortilla over and let it toast slightly on both sides; this will give you a crunchier quesadilla.
If you do not like Cheddar cheese, you can use another type of shredded cheese, such as cheddar, Colby, Fontina, or Monterey Jack.^{[3]
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You will be folding the tortilla in half later. Avoid putting too many fillings in, or your tortilla will be too bulky and tear.
Slip the spatula under the cheesy side of the quesadilla and lift upwards, flipping it over onto the fillings. Gently press the quesadilla flat with the spatula.
If there is any excess grease on the tortilla, you can wipe it off using a paper towel.
Cut the quesadilla in half using a sharp knife, then cut each wedge in half again, creating four pizza-like slices.
You can add toppings, such as salsa or sour cream.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Baking a Quesadilla in an Oven

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^{[4]
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Research source} Make sure that there is nothing inside your oven, and that the baking rack is positioned in the center.
Make sure that it is greased-side down. The grease will help make the quesadilla crispy.
You will be adding the rest of the cheese later; the two layers of cheese will help "glue" the quesadilla together. You can use Cheddar cheese, or any other type of shredded cheese.
If you are using meat or vegetables, make sure that they are cooked most of the way though; the filling will cook only partially in the oven.
Make sure that it is spread evenly across the quesadilla.
Do not fold it in half. Instead, gently press down on your quesadilla with the back of your spatula; this helps "seal" it.^{[5]
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Place the baking sheet in the middle of the oven and close the oven.
Take the baking sheet out and use a spatula to flip the quesadilla over. Be careful, so that the quesadilla does not fall apart. Once you have flipped the quesadilla, put it back into the oven.
Watch the quesadilla so that it doesn't burn; it may finish baking sooner.
Use a spatula to carefully lift the quesadilla off the baking sheet and transfer it to your plate.
Use a sharp knife, and cut the quesadilla like you would cut a pie or pizza.
You can eat it as it is, or add some toppings, such as salsa or sour cream.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Grilling Your Quesadilla Over a Grill

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You will need ½ cup (50 grams) of cheese and ½ cup (120 grams) of a filling of your choice, such as diced tomatoes, onions, shredded chicken breast, or beans. Gently toss your fillings together in a clean bowl.
Avoid using too high heat; it will only make your quesadilla burn instead of cooking faster.^{[6]
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Make sure that the grill is clean, so that the charcoal doesn't transfer to the tortilla.
Use a spoon to scoop the fillings out of the bowl and transfer them onto the tortilla.
Work quickly, so that the tortilla doesn't harden; if you wait too long, the tortilla will become crispy and break in half. Slip a spatula under the side of the tortilla that does not have anything on it, and lift upwards, folding the tortilla in half.
^{[7]
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^{[8]
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Use a spatula to move the quesadilla from the grill to a plate. Cut it into wedges using a sharp knife. You can eat the quesadilla as it is, or serve it with toppings, such as salsa or sour cream.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Cooking Your Quesadilla in a Microwave

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To prevent the tortilla from getting soggy, consider placing a paper towel underneath it.
Make sure that the cheese is spread evenly across the entire tortilla.
If you are using meat or vegetables, make sure that they are cooked most of the way through; they will cook the rest of the way in the microwave.
The tortilla will break if you try to fold it in half, so you will have to cover it with another piece. You can press down lightly on the tortilla to "seal" it.
The quesadilla will not be as crispy as one made in a frying pan, oven, or grill. If the cheese is not melted, microwave the tortilla for another 30 to 60 seconds.
The old plate will likely be too hot to handle without any pot holders.
Consider serving the quesadilla with some sour cream or salsa.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Choosing Your Ingredients

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1
Choose a shredded, melting cheese. When buying cheese for your quesadilla, go for a softer one; it will melt easier than a harder cheese. You can use any of the following cheeses, or even a combination:^{[9]
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- Any of the following non-aged cheeses: Asiago, Gouda
- Colby or Cheddar
- Fontina, Gruyère, or Havarti
- Monterey Jack or Mozzarella
- Parmesan or Provolone
- Romano or Queso Oaxaca
2
Consider adding fresh cheese to the mix. Fresh cheeses will be more difficult to melt in a quesadilla, but they can be mixed in with any of the melting cheeses. Here are some suggestions:
- Goat cheese
- Feta cheese
- Fromage blanc
- Ricotta
3
Add some vegetables. Quesadillas don't have to include meat. You can add a bit of color and flavor with both fresh and cooked vegetables. Here are some ideas:
- Fresh vegetables: baby arugula, baby spinach, chilies, or diced tomatoes.
- Cooked vegetables: chilies, diced eggplant, roasted bell peppers, and sliced mushrooms.
- Canned vegetables: Black beans, black olives (sliced), chilies, corn, pinto beans, and sun-dried tomatoes.
4
Use sliced or shredded meat. This will prevent the meat from creating too much bulk and tearing the tortilla. Make sure that the meat is cooked. Here are the following types of meat you can use:
- Shredded chicken breast
- Pulled pork
- Shrimp
- Sliced steak
5
Lend your quesadilla some flavor with herbs and onions. Onions and peppers can make your quesadilla taste spicier while herbs will give it a milder, more aromatic flavor. Here are some ideas:
- Give your quesadilla a spicy kick with some crushed red pepper flakes or chopped smoked paprika.
- Add some chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, chives, cilantro, mint, oregano, parsley, tarragon, or thyme. You can also try adding some green onions.
- Chop up and sauté some garlic, leeks, onions, scallions, or shallots.
6
Try combining different ingredients. Here are some suggestions:^{[10]
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- For a classic quesadilla, mix equal parts of cheese and shredded chicken breast.
- For a southwestern twist, add black beans and corn salsa to your cheese.
- Make a barbecue chicken quesadilla by tossing some shredded chicken breast with some barbeque sauce. For the cheese, try using Monterey Jack.
- If you love bacon, try adding some chopped-up fried bacon and a few jalapeño slices. For the cheese, try using Cheddar.
7
Consider adding some toppings. You can eat your quesadilla as it is, or you can make it even tastier by adding toppings such as:
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Sliced green onion

How Do You Make Easy Quesadillas?

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Question

Can I use American cheese?

Community Answer

Yes, you can use whatever cheese you would like on a quesadilla, it is a personal preference.

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Can I use a flat bread?

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Yes, you can. Your quesadilla won't be as authentic, but still will taste just as good.

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Is it okay if I just put cheese, no meat or anything?

Community Answer

Yes, but it will be pretty bland. You might at least use a spicy cheese or throw some salsa on top.

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Tips

If you are making quesadillas for several people, store the already-made quesadillas in a warm oven 200 °F (93 °C) while you make the rest. This will keep the quesadillas warm until you are ready to serve them.^{[12]
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For extra crunchy quesadillas, consider heating the tortilla on both sides in a buttered skillet. Once the tortilla turns golden brown, you can use it in your recipe.^{[13]
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A quesadilla can be made into a full dinner by adding many things such as chicken, beef, rice, or vegetables.

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