Mexican Cheese Quesadillas (Printable)

Crispy folded tortillas filled with melted cheese and vegetables, pan-toasted until golden.

# What You Need:

→ Tortillas

01 - 4 large flour tortillas

→ Cheese

02 - 7 oz shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)

→ Optional Fillings

03 - 5 oz cooked chicken breast, shredded
04 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small zucchini, diced
06 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

→ Seasoning

08 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
09 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
10 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Cooking

11 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter

# How to Make It:

01 - Sauté diced bell pepper, zucchini, and onion in a skillet with a small amount of oil for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add shredded chicken if using, then season with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and heat through. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Place a tortilla flat on a clean surface. Sprinkle half of the tortilla with approximately 1.75 oz of shredded cheese. Add a portion of the prepared filling mixture and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, then top with another 1.75 oz of cheese. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling completely.
03 - Heat 1/2 tbsp oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the folded quesadilla in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side until golden brown and cheese begins to melt. Flip carefully and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the second side until golden and cheese is fully melted. Repeat with remaining tortillas, adding more oil or butter as needed.
04 - Transfer each cooked quesadilla to a cutting board and cut into 3-4 wedges. Serve immediately while hot with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together in under twenty minutes which makes them perfect for those nights when you want something satisfying but do not have the energy for anything complicated
  • The combination of gooey melted cheese and warm tortilla is pure comfort food that somehow feels fancy enough for guests
02 -
  • Do not overload your tortillas or you will end up with cheese everywhere except inside where it belongs
  • Medium heat is your friend here because high heat burns the tortilla before the cheese has time to melt properly
03 -
  • Warm your tortillas for thirty seconds in the microwave before assembling to prevent cracking when you fold them
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one because it holds heat evenly and creates the most beautiful golden crust
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