Get the secrets to make the best cheese quesadillas with crispy tortillas and creamy melted cheese. They are full of amazing flavor with the best accompaniments!
Sure, you may know how to make a cheese quesadilla, but these little secrets will take them over the top. They are so simple, yet totally irresistible. These stack up easily over restaurant style quesadillas!
This easy cheese quesadilla recipe is perfect for parties, lunch, dinner and beyond. They freeze incredibly well, too! Just reheat and an easy and fast lunch is right at your fingertips.
Quesadillas might seem like a classic kid friendly food, but they actually please the adults in our house, too. You can add a wide variety of veggies and protein for more nutrition, or serve with our favorite cilantro lime salad on the side for a more rounded meal.
For more easy and versatile dishes, try Chicken Nachos, Mini Tacos, and Doritos Nachos. You’ll love how customizable they all are to suit everyone’s preferences.
Why You’ll Love Cheese Quesadillas
- Quick and Easy
- Irresistible Crispy Tortillas Seasoned to Perfection
- Gooey Molten Cheese
They’re incredibly easy to customize, and you can even fill them with each family member’s favorite ingredients. Whether it’s a variety of protein additions, fresh or cooked veggies, or unique cheeses, they are as fun to make as they are to eat.
There’s nothing you won’t love about these super simple cheese quesadillas. Get all my favorite tips and tricks for taking your quesadilla skills to the next level!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Tortillas – Homemade or raw refrigerated tortillas make these quesadillas out-of-this-world delicious, but you can use ready made on the shelf flour tortillas, too!
Cheese – Use your favorite blend of cheeses. I love using a blend of fresh grated Monterey jack cheese with cojita for a hint of salty flavor. You can use cheddar, colby jack, pepper jack, or chihuahua cheese as well! Shredding it from a block will give you the creamiest flavor. Blocks are typically higher quality cheese, have less preservatives and don’t dry out. Learn how to shred cheese here.
Seasoning – While not required, dusting tortillas with a hint of seasoning gives them so much flavor! You can use taco or fajita seasoning!
How to Make Cheese Quesadillas in Just 3 Easy Steps
- Place tortilla in heated pan and sprinkle with cheese. If using raw tortilla, place in heated pan and brown one side. Turn over and then sprinkle with cheese on browned side.
- Cover to let cheese melt.
- Fold tortilla in half and cook until tortilla is crispy and golden brown.
How to Bake Quesadillas
- Lay tortillas on lightly greased pan and put cheese on half of tortilla.
- Fold the tortilla over and place in 425℉ oven. Bake for 8 minutes.
- Turn quesadillas over and bake for about 6 minutes more.
Watch the video where Julie will walk you through each step of this easy recipe. You will find a collection of recipe videos right here on our website with corresponding recipes.
Tips
- Lightly spray one side of your tortilla with pan spray before placing it on pan.
- Add a little seasoning to the cheese for flavor that is melted in with the cheese. Or, sprinkle some in the pan for a roasted flavor that will stick to the tortilla.
- Watch the temperature of the pan. If the pan is too hot the tortilla will burn quickly.
- Serve as an appetizer with dips. Or serve as a dinner that everyone can customize to their own liking!
Topping Suggestions
- Chipotle Corn Salsa
- Salsa Guacamole
- Avocado Salsa
- Pico de Gallo
- Guacamole
- Mexican Street Corn
- Lime Crema
- Sour Cream (try it blended with Fiesta Ranch or Ranch Seasoning)
- Cilantro
- Green Onion
- Sautéed Peppers
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting with homemade or uncooked tortillas taste especially fresh and delicious when they’re toasted just right. But you can definitely use ready made tortillas – they taste great and are so convenient.
Sprinkle at least a 1/2 cup cheese on each tortilla for the right amount of gooey cheese.
Serve With
Make Ahead
- Prepare as directed, bring to room temperature to refrigerate or freeze.
- Bring to room temperature and bake or pan fry.
How to Store
- At Room Temperature – Quesadillas can remain at room temperature for a couple of hours. While hard cheeses can actually be okay sitting out for around 6 hours, it is good practice to refrigerate it when you’re done serving.
- Refrigerate – Wrap cooled and sliced quesadillas in plastic wrap or foil. Then store in refrigerator for up to 3 days. This is for quesadillas that haven’t been covered in toppings as those will make the tortillas soggy. Heat up on the stove top or in the oven when you’re read to eat.
- Freeze – Once quesadillas have cooled, wrap in a couple of layers of plastic wrap, keeping the quesadillas flat. Store in freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, allow to thaw then heat and crisp up on stove or in oven.
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free – Substitute corn tortillas to make them gluten free.
- Nut Free
- Vegetarian
More Cinco de Mayo Inspiration
Cheese Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 6 flour tortillas 8 inch
- ¼ teaspoon fajita seasoning
- 2 cups cheese Freshly shredded (Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Colby Jack, Cotija or Chihuahua Cheese (16 ounce block)
Instructions
- Preheat non-stick or cast iron skillet to medium low. If your skillet is not non stick/cast iron, brush with oil.
- Sprinkle seasoning on pan and add tortilla. Brown one side of raw tortilla then flip tortilla. Top browned side with cheese. If using precooked tortillas, just sprinkle with cheese. Add lid to melt cheese.6 flour tortillas, ¼ teaspoon fajita seasoning, 2 cups cheese
- When cheese is mostly melted (about 3 minutes), fold into half and continue to cook until the tortilla is crispy and golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Transfer to a cutting board and cut into quarters.
- Serve with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, crema, or avocado salsa.
Julie’s Tips
Tips
- Shredding cheese from a block will give you the creamiest flavor. Blocks are typically higher quality cheese, have less preservatives and don’t dry out.
- Lightly spray one side of your tortilla with pan spray before placing it on pan.
- Add a little seasoning to the cheese for flavor that is melted in with the cheese. Or, sprinkle some in the pan for a roasted flavor that will stick to the tortilla.
- Watch the temperature of the pan. If the pan is too hot the tortilla will burn quickly.
How to Store
- At Room Temperature – Quesadillas can remain at room temperature for a couple of hours. While hard cheeses can actually be okay sitting out for around 6 hours, it is good practice to refrigerate it when you’re done serving.
- Refrigerate – Wrap cooled and sliced quesadillas in plastic wrap or foil. Then store in refrigerator for up to 3 days. This is for quesadillas that haven’t been covered in toppings as those will make the tortillas soggy. Heat up on the stove top or in the oven when you’re read to eat.
- Freeze – Once quesadillas have cooled, wrap in a couple of layers of plastic wrap, keeping the quesadillas flat. Store in freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, allow to thaw then heat and crisp up on stove or in oven.
Video
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Delicious
So glad you enjoyed them!