38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (2024)

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (1)

Is there a more perfect food than a quesadilla? They’re simple to assemble, quick to cook, and satisfy every carby, cheesy craving we could ever have. We enjoy them for a quick lunch, a cheap and easy dinner, and especially as a midnight snack. Okay okay, sure, you’re probably thinking you don’t really need a recipe for this insanely popular Mexican dish. But if you're looking for some guidance, especially in what to stuff them with or how to assemble them, these recipes won’t let you down. Check out our 38 best quesadilla recipes—trust us, it goes way beyond just cheese and tortillas.

At their simplest, to make a quesadilla all you do is top a tortilla with cheese, then fold it in half and cook it in a skillet until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melty. Where things get exciting is when you think about all the creative ways you can shake up this simple formula.

Change up the cheese: In Mexico, you'll find most quesadillas filled with Oaxaca cheese, a stringy Mexican cheese. It has a mellow, buttery flavor similar to Monterey jack but its texture and meltability more closely resembles mozzarella. Our Big Mac quesadillas use American and cheddar, our chicken cordon bleu quesadillas use Swiss and mozzarella, and our buffalo chicken quesadilla uses gouda and Monterey Jack, so go with whatever you like. It's a little sacrilege, but you could even use cream cheese or marshmallow fluff and turn it into a dessert, like our caramel apple cheesecakeadilla or our cookiedilla.

Change up your tortilla: Corn tortillas are the traditional option for quesadillas, though nowadays (and stateside), you’re just as likely to find them made with flour tortillas. Go with whatever you got—it’s really up to your preference. If you want to branch out even more, try subbing your tortilla for something else entirely, like pita in our Greek quesadilla or cauliflower in in our cauliflower quesadilla. Though quesadillas are traditionally made in a skillet, you can also switch up your cooking method. Try our waffle iron quesadillas, our grilled chicken quesadilla, or our foil pack cheese quesadilla for ideas.

Mash-up time: The simple idea behind a quesadilla is ripe for combing with other flavor combos. Try our pizzadillas, our sloppy joe quesadillas, and our quesadilla burgers to see what we mean. Take inspiration from them, and then create your own—you might just come up with a new favorite.

Want more Mexican food inspiration? Check out our best salsa recipes, our top tacos, and our favorite Mexican desserts too.

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1

Philly Cheesesteak Quesadilla

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (3)

This quesadilla is for those that love the steak, pepper, and melty cheese combo of a Philly Cheesesteak, but seek that crunch of a crispy tortilla over a hoagie. It’s quick and comforting and a fun spin on everyone’s favorite sandwich.

Get the Philly Cheesesteak Quesadilla recipe.

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2

Quesadilla Burger

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (5)

No longer do you have to choose between a quesadilla or a burger—instead have both with this delicious recipe.

Get the Quesadilla Burger recipe.

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3

Chicken Quesadilla

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (7)

You don't really need a recipe to make this insanely popular Mexican dish. Top a tortilla with cheese (and whatever else you've got), then fold it in half and cook until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melty. But if you're looking for some guidance, especially in cooking up some quick and easy chicken to stuff inside, this recipe won't let you down.

Get the Chicken Quesadilla recipe.

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4

Quesadilla Cake

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (9)

Five layers of quesadilla means five times as much flavor than your everyday beef quesadilla. Don’t have a springform pan? A standard cake or pie pan totally works here. You’ll just need to serve your cake IN the pan.

Get the Quesadilla Cake recipe.

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5

Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (11)

Anyone can make a chicken quesadilla. But to make a really good Taco Bell copycat, you MUST make the sauce to go with it. The secret ingredient: pickled jalapeños + the juice from the jar!

Get the Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla recipe.

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6

Keto Quesadilla

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (13)

This "quesadilla" may not be a perfect doppelgänger for the beloved Mexican dish, commonly made with corn or flour tortillas and melty cheese. BUT, when the craving strikes, this keto-fied quesadilla is so satisfying.

Get the Keto Quesadilla recipe.

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7

Ultimate Quesadilla

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (15)

This recipe is simple—seasoned ground beef + melty Monterey jack + avocado—so we highly recommend serving with guac, fresh salsa and sour cream to make it extra delicious.

Get the Ultimate Quesadilla recipe.

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8

Chicken Cordon Bleu Quesadillas

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (17)

These quesadillas start with one of our favorite skillet chicken breast recipes inspired by chicken cordon bleu. If you've got leftover rotisserie chicken, now is the time to use it! You'll still get savory goodness in every crispy bite.

Get the Chicken Cordon Bleu Quesadillas recipe.

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9

Grilled Chicken Quesadillas

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (19)

Grilling ALL the ingredients makes for a much more flavorful chicken quesadilla. Try it, and you won't want to make them any other way!

Get the Grilled Chicken Quesadillas recipe.

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10

Pizzadillas

This isn't just a quesadilla filled with mozz and pepperoni. It's topped with the works and looks JUST like an actual pizza. Plus, it's 1,000x easier to make at home.

Get the Pizzadillas recipe.

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11

Waffle Iron Quesadilla

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (23)

Using your waffle iron to make quesadillas is the most genius move of all time. You get an extra crispy tortilla in no time flat. Plus you don't have to flip your over-stuffed quesadilla, which means you can load it up with as many toppings as you want! 😍

Get the Waffle Iron Quesadilla recipe.

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12

Big Mac Quesadillas

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (25)

These sound wilder than they actually are. Essentially, they're beef quesadillas with American cheese and cheddar plus that amazing special Big Mac sauce. Even if you don't love McDonald's, you'll love these.

Get the Big Mac Quesadillas recipe.

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13

Cheese Crusted Quesadilla

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (27)

Sure, we love a good quesadilla, but a CHEESE-CRUSTED quesadilla? Trust us on this one: You're gonna want to try this for yourself. Make sure you use a nonstick pan for easy flipping

Get the Cheese Crusted Quesadilla recipe.

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14

Sheet Pan Quesadilla

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (29)

Looking to serve quesadillas to a crowd? Our sheet pan hack is brilliant and sure to impress.

Get the Sheet Pan Quesadilla recipe.

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15

Sloppy Joe Quesadillas

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (31)

Swapping in a tortilla for a bun in these sloppy Joes is pure genius. And don't worry, they're still just as deliciously messy as their inspiration.

Get the Sloppy Joe Quesadillas recipe.

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16

Cheesy Beef Quesadillas

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (33)

Double (or triple) this recipe if you want to slice these up and serve to a crowd. They make a great main and an even better starter! Make sure you serve with sour cream, guacamole, and your favorite salsa.

Get the Cheesy Beef Quesadillas recipe.

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17

Cauliflower Quesadillas

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (35)

Cheesy cauliflower breadsticks, cauliflower gnocchi, cauliflower pizza crust... and now these quesadillas. Is there anything cauliflower can't do?!

Get the Cauliflower Quesadillas recipe.

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18

Loaded Breakfast Quesadillas

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (37)

These are perfect for all those times when a breakfast taco just won't cut it.

Get the Loaded Breakfast Quesadillas recipe.

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19

Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (39)

Love buffalo chicken wings, but not those saucy fingers? Keep your spicy chicken more contained in a quesadilla instead. Blue cheese dressing drizzle optional.

Get the Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla recipe.

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20

S'mores Quesadilla

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (41)

These are perfect for when you're craving s'mores, but don't have the campfire to go with them.

Get the S'mores Quesadilla recipe.

38 Creative Quesadilla Recipes That Go Beyond Just Cheese (2024)

FAQs

What to put in a quesadilla besides cheese? ›

Best Fillings for Quesadillas

My favorites are mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, and onions.

Is a quesadilla still a quesadilla without cheese? ›

In the cuisine of Mexico City, quesadillas are not assumed to come with cheese unless specifically requested. This is in contrast to the rest of Mexico, where quesadillas are considered to include cheese by definition (quesadilla literally meaning "little cheesy thing" in Spanish).

Are quesadillas healthy with just cheese? ›

Cheese. Cheese is high in calcium and a good source of protein but it also adds saturated fat to a quesadilla. A high intake of saturated fat may increase LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.

What is the TikTok quesadilla order? ›

The “Keithadilla” reflects Lee's favorite quesadilla order: a Fajita Quesadilla with Steak with Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, Sour Cream and Chipotle-Honey Vinaigrette on the side.

How do you jazz up a quesadilla? ›

Here are a few of my favorite filling combinations:
  1. Spinach, mushroom, and caramelized onion with goat cheese.
  2. Black beans and roasted poblano peppers with Monterey Jack.
  3. Roasted sweet potato, cauliflower, and kale with cheddar.
  4. Crumbled chorizo, beans, pickled jalapeños.
  5. Bacon.
Mar 7, 2016

What should I put inside my quesadilla? ›

What toppings go in a quesadilla?
  1. Southwestern: Fill your quesadilla with black beans, chopped onions, peppers, tomatoes, corn, cilantro and pepper jack cheese. ...
  2. Mediterranean: Load your quesadilla up with a blend of chopped spinach, red onions, Kalamata olives, feta cheese crumbles and mozzarella cheese.
May 17, 2024

Should I put rice in my quesadilla? ›

The fluffy U.S.-grown rice adds a surprising texture and makes these quesadillas nutrient dense. Layer the chicken mixture in a delicious flour tortilla that crisps up perfectly in a hot skillet to make these quesadillas wildly flavorful and best when loaded up with guacamole, salsa, hot sauce and sour cream.

What cheese do Mexican restaurants use for quesadillas? ›

Traditional Mexican cheeses like Oaxaca cheese or Chihuahua cheese are commonly used in quesadillas because they melt easily and have a mild, slightly salty flavor. Other cheese options include Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and mozzarella.

Why do quesadillas in Mexico not have cheese? ›

And believe it or not, the original versions did not always include cheese. Mexican food expert Adriana Martin, of Adriana's Best Recipes, explains that a quesadilla is a tortilla that is stuffed with any number of different ingredients - cheese being merely one of the possibilities.

What is the difference between Mexican quesadillas and American quesadillas? ›

They are both served in Mexico and in the U.S. as a popular snack. In Mexico, it is made with a corn tortilla folded over melted Oaxaca cheese and served with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. The Americans prefer using flour tortillas and fill them with a generic “Mexican” cheese mix or Monterey Jack.

What's healthier, burrito or quesadilla? ›

For instance, lean meats, whole grains, and plenty of veggies make a burrito a healthier choice. Quesadillas often focus on cheese as the primary filling, with additional ingredients like meats, veggies, and herbs enhancing the flavor.

Are quesadillas a snack or meal? ›

Whether enjoyed as a quick snack, a hearty meal, or a party appetizer, quesadillas can be customized to suit any palate or occasion. From classic combinations like cheese and shredded chicken to more adventurous fillings like spinach and goat cheese, the possibilities are endless.

Are cold cheese quesadillas good? ›

Enjoy hot, or allow to cool for a few minutes, cut into wedges and place in a container before refrigerating. These hearty quesadillas are good cold and can be reheated.

How to do the quesadilla hack from Chipotle? ›

The “hack,” according to numerous TikTok users, instructed Chipotle customers to try ordering a steak quesadilla with added toppings, namely the chain's fajita-style sauteed veggies, extra cheese and sides of sour cream and vinaigrette, for dipping.

What is the TikTok tortilla challenge? ›

The Tortilla Challenge, also called the Tortilla Slap Challenge, is a viral TikTok trend in which players take turns slapping each other with a tortilla while trying not to laugh. The game became so popular that even celebrities like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart got in on the fun!

What's in the viral Chipotle quesadilla? ›

What Is The Chipotle Quesadilla Hack? TikToker Alexis Frost shared the now-viral order, which is a quesadilla made with steak, extra cheese, and fajita veggies, on December 20.

What is the TikTok cheese challenge? ›

The trend started on TikTok, and it's called the "cheese challenge." It originally started with people throwing slices of cheese on unsuspecting toddlers, but now it's cars.

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