Best Quesadilla Recipes

By Food & Wine
Updated September 21, 2017
Quesadillas have been a staple of Mexican cuisine since colonial times. Cooks take pliant corn tortillas made from masa flour and fill them with a layer of easy-melting cheese like Oaxaca, a white, semi-hard cheese that’s produced using a stretch and pull method similar to mozzarella. The cheese is topped with savory fillings such as sautéed mushrooms, squash blossoms, potatoes with chorizo (choripapa), and stewed chicken or beef tinga. Finally the tortilla is folded over and cooked on a hot comal, or griddle, until the fillings are hot and the outside of the tortilla is blistered and crisp. America has adopted this Mexican dish and made it our own. While we often see quesadillas served Tex-Mex style under a pile of guacamole and sour cream, they can be any manner of flour tortilla filled with a hot, cheesy filling. Our collection of quesadilla recipes is a staple for nights when you need an inexpensive dinner with little prep and a short cooking time. They can even be healthy if you keep it simple and use fresh vegetables, like in our sautéed Kale Quesadillas or our Quesadillas with Broccoli and Cheese. If you’re looking for a more substantial meal, try our latest obsession: adding quinoa to quesadillas. The fluffy grain adds body and a nutty flavor that pairs well with chicken and sharp cheddar cheese. Serve a light green salad on the side to make your quesadilla a complete meal. Our collection of quesadilla recipes wouldn’t be complete without some over-the-top snacks for game day. Think big flour tortillas stuffed with barbecued chicken or pulled pork topped with sautéed onions and peppers. If you’re looking for a quick party snack, we’ve included quesadillas with simple but tasty fillings such as mushrooms with bacon or spicy diced chicken with jalapenos. No matter what recipe you choose, make sure to look for low moisture cheeses like Monterrey Jack or shredded cheddar to get the best melt. —Carrie Mullins
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Monterey Jack Quesadillas with Avocado and Kale-Pistachio Salsa Verde

© Sarah Bolla
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In this recipe, simple jack cheese quesadillas are prepared with a tangy kale and pistachio salsa. Big pieces of diced avocado are lightly tossed into the salsa to round out the acidity.

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Zucchini Quesadilla with Spicy Salsa Roja

© Con Poulos
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Adding fresh zucchini to a cheesy quesadilla livens it up a bit; the bold, spicy salsa that goes into the quesadilla as well as on top gives it an excellent punch.

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Sriracha Chicken Quesadillas

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Spicy Sriracha chicken and lots of grated cheddar cheese make these quesadillas a party favorite.

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Curried Potato Quesadillas

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Curried potatoes add an Indian twist to the quick and easy quesadilla.

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Quinoa, Chicken, and Cheddar Quesadillas

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This quesadilla is a meal in itself: stuffed with cooked quinoa, chicken and melted cheese. Add a salad on the side and dinner is served.

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Sautéed Kale Quesadillas

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Healthy and delicious sautéed kale is the star in this simple cheese quesadilla recipe.

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Broccoli and Cheese Quesadillas

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The classic combination of broccoli and cheese makes its way into a quesadilla to create a delicious vegetarian snack.

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Pulled Pork and Goat Cheese Quesadillas

© Tina Rupp
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Tim Love overstuffs his quesadillas with delectable braised pork and sautéed onions and peppers, then goes (almost) over the top by smearing the tortillas with soft, tangy goat cheese.

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Chicken Quesadillas with Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onions

Lucy Schaeffer
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One picky taster—a self-described onion hater—said she never realized how rich and sweet onions could taste when they are caramelized.

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Chicken Fajita Quesadillas

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This fajita-quesadilla mash-up is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

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Smoked Gouda and Cheddar Quinoa Quesadillas

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Perfect as a vegetarian main, these quesadillas are filled with hearty quinoa and smoked gouda.

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Chicken Quesadillas with Red Onions

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Zesty red onions are fantastic in this classic cheesy chicken quesadilla recipe.

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Habanero Chicken Quesadillas

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This quesadilla packs a serious punch, thanks to fiery habañeros. Feel free to dial it up or down, depending on your tolerance.

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Pineapple Chicken Quesadillas

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Sweet pineapple pairs perfectly with shredded chicken and gooey cheddar cheese in this delicious quesadill

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Green Onion Chicken Quesadillas

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Green onions go in to this classic quesadilla but feel free to use any type of onion you have on hand.

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Jalapeño Chicken Quesadillas

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Spicy and delicious, these jalapeño-chicken quesadillas are the perfect appetizer for game day.

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Shrimp Quesadillas

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Seafood lovers will dive right in to these delicious shrimp quesadillas.

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Smoked Gouda and Sweet Onion Quesadillas

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Caramelized sweet onions and smoked gouda cheese elevate this simple quesadilla into a delicious appetizer.

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Green Chile Chicken Quesadillas

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Green chiles add a subtle spice to these easy-to-make chicken quesadillas.

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Barbecue Chicken Quesadillas

© Todd Porter & Diane Cu
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Melted cheddar cheese and barbecue chicken stuffed in a crispy quesadilla is a great summer appetizer.

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Mushroom and Bacon Quesadillas

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These easy-to-make quesadillas are filled with warm sautéed mushrooms and crisp bacon.

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