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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
