Preparing your own quesadillas? Read here to find out what you can put into a quesadilla to make it perfectly delicious.
Quesadillas are a favorite for many foodies, and for a good reason. This handheld dish is easy to make and it's sure to please at parties and gatherings.
Another terrific aspect of quesadillas is how customizable they are. When you want to make quesadillas at home, the sky's the limit for what you can put inside.
Today, let's explore all the different ways you can make quesadillas for your weeknight dinners, appetizers, or snacks. Then, we'll show you a few of our favorite Mexican-inspired recipes you can get on the table in no time.
What Are Quesadillas?
Quesadillas are a staple meal for many people. If you've ever been to a Mexican restaurant, the odds are that you've probably seen a photo of this food on the menu.
This Mexican dish primarily includes corn or flour tortillas stuffed with melty shredded cheese. The word quesadilla can be somewhat translated to mean little cheesy pastry. Sometimes, people add meat and other ingredients to complement the cheesy filling. We're going to list a few different filling options so you can decide the best way to make your quesadillas!
How Do You Make a Quesadilla?
Making a quesadilla yourself is relatively straightforward. You'll need a few ingredients, and then you can get sizzling away to make this delicious dish. Here's a quick list of things to round up:
- Tortillas
- Cheese of your choice
- Your other favorite fillings
- A teaspoon of oil or butter
- A large skillet
- Spices like taco seasoning or cumin
To make quesadillas, place one tortilla on a buttered or oiled pan, then add your cheese and other fillings.Then, place your other tortillas on top and let your quesadillas heat up. When the bottom tortilla begins getting crispy, you can flip it! Finally, enjoy your cheesy, crispy quesadillas fresh off of the skillet.
What Can You Put Inside a Quesadilla?
There are so many things you can put inside a quesadilla. Even if you're sticking with a plain cheese quesadilla, you have many options for the types of cheese you can add! Here are several options you might choose:
- Mild or sharp cheddar
- Mozzarella
- Feta
- Provolone
- Bleu cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Brie
- Jalapeno cheddar
Unique Types of Quesadillas
You might opt for something simple like a cheese or chicken quesadilla. On the other hand, you might decide that you feel more adventurous. In this case, there are so many ways you can vary your quesadilla contents to create something unique and tasty!
Let's check out several stand-out quesadilla options.
Breakfast Quesadillas
Tired of eating fruit and granola bars every day? Try making a breakfast quesadilla instead!
To make tasty breakfast quesadillas, try adding some of the ingredients you'd normally add to an omelet. Scrambled eggs, bacon, red onions, fresh cilantro, and spinach leaves are terrific options for the filling.
Mediterranean Quesadillas
Do you often dream about Mediterranean food? Mediterranean-inspired quesadillas might be a great dish to add to your dinner menu this week.
If you want to give this variation a shot, try preparing a quesadilla stuffed with red peppers, feta cheese, chorizo, and sour cream. Add some spinach to enjoy another helping of vitamins.
Caprese Quesadillas
Suppose you'd like to enjoy the flavors of a Caprese quesadilla. In that case, all you need is balsamic vinegar, diced tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella. Throw your quesadilla on a non-stick pan and let it heat to melty perfection.
You can enjoy all the vitamin C available in your fresh tomatoes along with delicious mozzarella cheese.
Vegetarian Quesadillas
Want to avoid meat in your quesadillas? If you want to enjoy Mexican-inspired vegetarian quesadillas, try adding black beans, sautéed zucchini, green onions, corn, sour cream, and bell peppers. Even without chicken, beef, or other meats, you can still enjoy a flavorful, crispy quesadilla.
Additionally, if you cannot eat gluten, you can opt for a corn tortilla instead of flour. This gluten-free option can still be ultra-yummy.
Pizza Quesadillas
Are you obsessed with pizza? We don't blame you. If you want to try something out of the ordinary, consider experimenting with your culinary skills by making a pizza quesadilla.
What toppings do you usually add to your pizza? Try stuffing those inside your tortillas with marinara dipping sauce on the side. It's a dish your whole household will love.
Traditional Quesadillas
Of course, traditional quesadillas are flavor-packed and enjoyable for almost anyone. You don't have to try new quesadilla varieties if you don't want to.
Sticking to classic steak or chicken quesadillas is a choice you won't regret. On top of the chicken breast or steak, add melted cheese, caramelized onions, sour cream for dipping, and cilantro for a garnish. Delish!
Our Favorite Mexican-Inspired Food Recipes
If you're on a Mexican food kick, why stop at quesadillas? There are so many more Mexican-inspired dishes you can enjoy. We've rounded up some of our favorite Jow recipes for the occasion. You'll love how tasty they are and how straightforward each recipe is.
Don't forget the guacamole, pico de gallo, and queso with tortilla chips on the side!
Speedy Beef Quesadillas
Let's start off with a classic quesadilla recipe. Why reinvent the wheel (or the tortilla)?
Our Speedy Beef Quesadillas recipe features an eight-minute cook time, and you only need a few ingredients to prepare it. Top it off with tangy lime wedges for a zingy fresh flavor.
Mushroom Quesadillas
Want to ditch the meat? You can indulge in quesadillas stuffed with mushrooms, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and garlic for a vegetarian-friendly menu option. The total time it takes to prepare our Mushroom Quesadillas recipe is fifteen minutes! It's a terrific go-to choice when you don't want to stand over a stove for hours.
Speedy Beef Soft Tacos
Perhaps you're in the mood for soft tacos instead. In that case, our Speedy Beef Tacos recipe is a perfect companion to your meal prep. We don't know whether you'll enjoy the fresh salsa taste or the quick cooking time more!
Veggie Quesadillas
Here's another vegetarian-friendly dish. Our Veggie Quesadillas recipe is a perfect option if you're reducing your meat intake or you don't have any ground beef in the house. Whip it up in under ten minutes for an appetizer, snack, or light dinner option.
One-Pan Steak Fajitas
Getting out multiple pots and pans for dinner can be a mess. At the end of the night, you don't want to worry about washing plates, cups, utensils, and multiple pieces of cookware.
Our 1-Pan Steak Fajitas recipe makes cooking a little bit easier. Throw everything into one pan and enjoy the fresh flavors of bell peppers and onions in your fajitas.
Beef Enchiladas
You can prepare this meal in one casserole dish, too! If you're looking for a dinner option that's warm, cheesy, and filling, our Beef Enchiladas recipe is it. You might want to add a homemade margarita on the side for the full effect!
Chicken Tex-Mex Bowl
We know some people want to avoid excess carbs in their diet. If you're ditching flour tortillas, you don't have to miss out on the fun. Our Chicken Tex-Mex Bowl recipe includes a variety of fresh veggies, beans, chicken, and other toppings that make Tex-Mex so delicious.
Veggie Nachos
Let's say you're having a few family members over for a meal at your house. If you're preparing Mexican food, we've got the perfect appetizer in mind.
Our Veggie Nachos make the perfect shareable snack you can pass around before dinner while catching up with loved ones.
Tex Mex Veggie Soup
Want to prepare a meatless soup for your next meal? Our Tex Mex Veggie Soup combines the mouth-watering flavors of sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and queso fresco in one bowl. Add a hint of lime on top to take this dish to the next level.
Huevos Rancheros
Here's a meal you can enjoy at breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Our Huevos Rancheros recipe includes eggs, beans, and avocado on a yummy tortilla. You can add spice to every bite by drizzling your favorite hot sauce on top!
Let Us Help With Dinner
Are you tired of wasting groceries weekly because you have picky eaters in your house? Or maybe you have the intention to cook a tasty recipe some nights, but you find that you're short on essential ingredients.
We think you shouldn't have to run into those problems so often. At Jow, we love helping you make dinner and cut down on prep time. Here's how it works:
- First, tell us about yourself. Let us know your household size, the appliances you have available to you, and your allergies and food preferences.
- Then, we'll suggest a few recipes you can choose to make this week. We'll use the recipes you select to start making a grocery list of all the ingredients needed for your recipes.
- Next, we'll optimize your groceries to fit your household size and make the perfect amount of food.
- Finally, you can enjoy picking up your groceries or having them shipped to your house stress-free. All you have to do is follow our straightforward recipes and savor the result!
Enjoy Every Bite of Your Favorite Quesadillas
Quesadillas make a perfect go-to meal on nights when you want to take it easy. The beauty of this dish is that you can customize it to include all your favorite fillings. When you want more easy recipes that are perfect for your schedule and household, we're here to help at Jow!
Sources:
Vitamin C - Health Professional Fact Sheet | NIH
Six Essential Nutrients | Maricopa Community Colleges