Quesadillas are a delightful Mexican dish that can be filled with a variety of ingredients, making them a favorite choice for any meal. Whether you prefer beef, chicken, or vegetables, quesadillas are a quick and tasty option that can satisfy your cravings. They are simple to make and can be enjoyed by everyone, from young children to adults.
Why Make This Recipe
There are many reasons to make quesadillas at home. They are easy to customize, allowing you to use whatever fillings you have on hand. Additionally, quesadillas are versatile—they can be served as a snack, a meal, or even at parties. Plus, with just a few ingredients, you can create a filling and flavorful dish that will impress family and friends!
How to Make Quesadilla
Making quesadillas is a straightforward process that doesn’t take much time. Follow these simple steps to create your perfect quesadilla, whether you choose beef, chicken, or vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 6 – 8 flour tortillas (20cm/8″)
- 2 cups (200g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or other cheese of choice) (Note 1)
- 3/4 cup roughly chopped coriander/cilantro
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen, thawed, or canned, drained)
Filling of Choice:
Beef Filling:
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 500g / 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small red capsicum/bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup (65 ml) water
Chicken Filling:
- 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 500g / 1 lb chicken thighs (skinless boneless) (Note 2)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, quartered and sliced
- 1 small red capsicum/bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Vegetable Filling:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can of black beans, drained (400g/14oz)
- 1 capsicum/bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 1 cup corn (canned, drained, or frozen, thawed)
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup (65 ml) water
Directions:
QUESADILLAS: Start by preparing your filling of choice. Choose between beef, chicken, or vegetables.
Spice Mix: For all fillings, combine onion powder, dried oregano, salt, cumin powder, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if desired).
Beef Filling:
- Heat olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and onion, cooking until soft.
- Add ground beef and season with spice mix. Cook until browned.
- Stir in diced capsicum, tomato paste, and water. Simmer for a few minutes.
Chicken Filling:
- Heat olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and onion, cooking until soft.
- Add chicken thighs and season with garlic and diced capsicum. Cook until browned.
Vegetable Filling:
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add black beans, diced capsicum, corn, tomato paste, and water. Cook until heated through.
To assemble quesadillas: Place a tortilla in a skillet, sprinkle cheese on half, add your filling of choice, then top with more cheese and fold the tortilla in half. Cook on both sides until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
How to Serve Quesadilla
Cut quesadillas into wedges and serve warm. You can pair them with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole to enhance the flavors. A side salad can also add freshness to your meal.
How to Store Quesadilla
If you have leftovers, allow the quesadillas to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for about 3 days. You can reheat them on a skillet or in the oven until hot.
Tips to Make Quesadilla
- Use a non-stick skillet to avoid sticking.
- Don’t overfill the quesadilla to prevent spilling during cooking.
- Experiment with different types of cheese and fillings for varied flavors.
- Add some spices or jalapeños for an extra kick!
Variation
Feel free to customize your quesadilla with different vegetables, beans, or cheeses. You can also make it healthier by adding spinach or mushrooms.
FAQs
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
- Yes, corn tortillas work well for quesadillas, but they may be more fragile.
Can I freeze quesadillas?
- Yes! You can freeze cooked quesadillas between layers of parchment paper. Reheat them directly from the freezer.
What other fillings can I use?
- You can get creative! Try adding shrimp, pulled pork, or even leftover roasted vegetables for different flavors.
Quesadillas
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6-8 pieces flour tortillas (20cm/8″)
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or other cheese of choice) (Note 1)
- ¾ cup roughly chopped coriander/cilantro
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen, thawed, or canned, drained)
Beef Filling
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ piece onion, finely chopped
- 500 g ground beef 1 lb
- 1 small red capsicum/bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ¼ cup water (65 ml)
Chicken Filling
- 2 ½ tbsp olive oil
- 500 g chicken thighs (skinless boneless) (Note 2)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, quartered and sliced
- 1 small red capsicum/bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Vegetable Filling
- 1 piece onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can black beans, drained (400g/14oz)
- 1 capsicum/bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 1 cup corn (canned, drained, or frozen, thawed)
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ¼ cup water (65 ml)
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by preparing your filling of choice. Choose between beef, chicken, or vegetables.
- For all fillings, combine onion powder, dried oregano, salt, cumin powder, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if desired).
Cooking Beef Filling
- Heat olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and onion, cooking until soft.
- Add ground beef and season with spice mix. Cook until browned.
- Stir in diced capsicum, tomato paste, and water. Simmer for a few minutes.
Cooking Chicken Filling
- Heat olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and onion, cooking until soft.
- Add chicken thighs and season with garlic and diced capsicum. Cook until browned.
Cooking Vegetable Filling
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add black beans, diced capsicum, corn, tomato paste, and water. Cook until heated through.
Assembling Quesadillas
- Place a tortilla in a skillet, sprinkle cheese on half, add your filling of choice, then top with more cheese and fold the tortilla in half.
- Cook on both sides until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
