This easy Cheese Quesadilla recipe is quick, delicious and so easy to make. I mean, what's better than a crispy tortilla filled with gooey melted cheese?! Cheese quesadillas make a great lunch, hand-held food for gatherings and parties, or a quick and comforting dinner that's sure to satisfy. This recipe turns out perfect on the stovetop in just minutes!
Jump to:
There's nothing we love more than crispy fried tacos and a cheesy pizza casserole, but a simple cheese quesadilla is a life-saver on busy nights or for picky kids. This 2-ingredient recipe is made with just soft flour tortilla shells and shredded melting cheeses. You can keep it as is or use the basic recipe as the start to creative quesadillas with different fillings, like a bean and cheese quesadilla.
As a family meal, everyone can customize their quesadilla to their choosing (I love a Mediterranean quesadilla for me). Kid's love making these and getting to choose their own fillings. This recipe can get the family helping in the kitchen too, learning to love to cook! If you've got leftover tortillas and love pizza, make our 5 minute tortilla pizzas next.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's made and ready to eat in less than 10 minutes, so it's great for busy days.
- Cheese quesadillas are completely kid-friendly and can be easily tailored to your family's likes.
- They make a fantastic make-ahead meal, are freezer friendly and can be reheated quickly. Because they also taste great at room temperature, they are perfect for picnics and lunch boxes.
- Easily add your favorite quesadilla fillings, such as diced tomatoes, cilantro, black beans, diced chicken, taco beef and more. This is a great way to clean your fridge of leftovers from taco night!
Ingredients For Cheese Quesadillas
You need only 2 simple ingredients to make cheese quesadillas.
Tortilla shells: flour tortilla shells make the best cheese quesadillas because they are soft and flexible. You can bend, flip and fry them with minimal risk of having them rip. If you want to use corn tortillas, be more careful when handling.
Shredded cheese: choose your favorite shredded cheese to create that warm savory filling. Cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, monterey jack, pepper jack, oaxaca, colby jack and Mexican blend cheese all make tasty quesadillas. We love a combination of cheeses when we have them on hand.
Butter or oil: this is just to grease the frying pan so the tortillas don't stick. Use any butter, margarine or cooking oil.
How To Make A Cheese Quesadilla
- Spray a large pan or griddle with olive oil (or coat with about ½ tablespoon of oil or butter). Heat on medium-high for 2 minutes, then lay the flour tortilla in the pan. Warm for 30 seconds, then add the cheese to one half of the tortilla. Fold over the other half and press down with a spatula.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tortilla becomes lightly browned. Use a spatula to press down on the tortilla as it cooks to help the cheese stick to the tortilla shell.
- Remove quesadilla from the pan and let cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with your favorite salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, or sour cream.
Enjoy!
Tips For Making The Best Quesadillas
- Don't overfill the tortilla: using too much filling will cause the ingredients to spill out in the pan or the tortilla to tear.
- Let the tortilla rest: after removing the quesadillas from the frying pan, them let rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.
- Watch the butter/oil: add the tortilla just when the butter or oil melts and becomes oil, as it can burn quickly.
What To Serve With Cheese Quesadillas
Simple side dishes such as black beans and Spanish rice are classics for serving. As a side dish or appetizer, serve quesadillas with chicken nuggets, fish sticks, buttered noodles, or chicken taco soup.
Popular Add-Ins and Variations
Add protein: add diced rotisserie chicken or taco seasoned chicken, leftover taco beef, or beans.
Add vegetables: add in diced tomatoes, sliced avocados, red onions, corn, spinach, bell peppers, etc.
Make it spicy: toss the shredded cheese with chili powder, blackened seasoning, red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to give this easy cheese quesadilla a little heat.
You can also make a Mediterranean-style quesadilla for a fun variation.
How To Store and Reheat
Fridge: Wrap quesadillas in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then stack the wrapped slices on top of one another and wrap in foil. This lets you easily defrost and enjoy single slices at a time. They will keep for about 6 months. Defrost in the refrigerator to maintain optimal quality.
To reheat, warm the quesadillas in a frying pan over medium heat until warmed through and the cheese remelts, about 2-3 minutes. They can also be warmed in the oven or air fryer. Most air fryers have a reheat function that will crisp back up the tortilla perfectly in just a few minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Traditionally, quesadillas are made with flour tortillas. However, in the United States we typically use flour tortillas. Aside from this, flour tortillas are easier to fold without having them tear. Corn tortillas are a little more delicate and can tear easily if you aren't careful. Use whichever type of tortilla you prefer!
Shredded melting cheeses are the best to use in quesadillas. While Traditional Mexican cheese quesadillas are made with a queso called "oaxaca", here in the U.S. we often use mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and Mexican cheese blends like taco style cheese. These are delicious and flavorful melty cheeses that work well in not just quesadillas, but enchiladas and taquitos too.
Salsa, guacamole, and sour cream are great dippers for cheese quesadillas. Kick it up a notch by making pineapple mango salsa or mango pico de gallo.
Recipe
Cheese Quesadilla
Equipment
- frying pan or griddle
- spatula
Ingredients
- 4 flour tortillas, medium size
- 2 cups shredded cheese, see notes on type
- optional fillings, see notes for ideas
Instructions
- Spray a large pan or griddle with olive oil (or coat with ½ tablespoon of oil or butter). Heat on medium-high for 2 minutes, then add the tortilla. Warm for 30 seconds, then add the cheese to one half of the tortilla. Fold over the other half and press down with a spatula. *If adding other ingredients to the filling, make sure to add them here before folding the tortilla!
- Cook for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tortilla becomes lightly browned. Use a spatula to press down on the tortilla as it cooks to help the ingredients stick.
- Remove from the pan and let cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with your favorite salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Jeannie says
this is so easy and appetizing, we couldn't stop. we added some veggies too.
julie says
A classic and a favorite of mine!
Jere Cassidy says
You just gave me the best idea with this recipe to make a batch and freeze them. My hubby comes home for lunch and can just pull these out of the freeze and heat them up. Also, thanks for the variation ideas.
Joyce K. says
This is such a classic and staple comfort for me!! This recipe just took quesadilla to a whole other level.
nancy says
easy and appetizing and great to make together with kiddies
Jan says
Got the kids involved with making this meal. It was thoroughly enjoyed
Megan Ellam says
Ahh my favourite! Easy and delicious! Thanks for sharing Kristina.
Sunrita says
This dish is always a hit! It never fails to make few hungry souls happy in a jiffy!
Thanks ever so much
Genevieve says
I love quesadilla's and so does my husband! I love all of the ideas you included for fillings too. Great job girls!
Addie says
Love this quesadilla for lunch! Yum!
Tarique Nadeem says
I must say, this quesadilla was comfort food at its finest. It's perfect for a quick lunch or snack when you're in the mood for something easy and delicious.