Skip to main content

Quesadillas

Quesadillas, cheese-filled tortillas cooked until crisp and melted, are a simple quick pick-me-up. They are a standby for hungry kids after school. Served with rice, beans, and salsa, they make a complete lunch or dinner.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

8 corn or flour tortillas
1 cup grated mild melting cheese such as Monterey Jack
1/2 teaspoon butter

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Gather together: 8 corn or flour tortillas, 1 cup grated mild melting cheese such as Monterey Jack.

    Step 2

    Sprinkle the cheese over 4 of the tortillas and then top with the remaining 4 tortillas. In a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, melt: 1/2 teaspoon butter.

    Step 3

    When hot, put in a quesadilla and cook until golden. Turn over and cook until the second side is golden and the cheese is melted. Hold in a warm oven and repeat with the other quesadillas.

  2. Variations

    Step 4

    Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the grated cheese before topping with the second tortilla, or put a few slices of roasted peppers or chiles in with the cheese.

    Step 5

    After cooking, put a spoonful of salsa, mild or spicy, or sour cream, or Guacamole (page 219) on the quesadilla.

    Step 6

    The tortillas can be cooked dry in a hot skillet without the butter, if you prefer.

The Art of Simple Food
Read More
Like potato pea chowder and green goddess grain bowls.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Thinly sliced and cooked hot and fast, pork tenderloin is the juicy, cook-quicking weeknight champion of this vegetable-heavy stir-fry.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
This lasagna soup delivers rich, baked-pasta flavor without an oven. Made with Italian sausage and spinach, it’s a fast, weeknight-friendly take on the classic.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Chopped kimchi and soy sauce transform mellow tuna salad into your new favorite riff on the classic diner sandwich.