How to Make the Best Cheese Quesadilla

There are 3 secrets to making the best cheese quesadilla. Scroll down to learn them, or jump to the recipe for an easy and simple recipe!

You only need a tortilla, cheese, butter, and a little chili powder to make a simple Mexican cheese quesadilla.

They are like the superhero of quick lunches/ snacks– no fuss, just deliciousness. Pair with sour cream and salsa for a quick and easy meal, perfect for you and your little ones!

🥰 3 Secret to Making the Best Cheese Quesadillas

• Cheese: I like to use the ratio of ¼ cup of cheese for every "taco-sized" tortilla when making a quesadilla. I also think shredded Oaxacan cheese makes for the best quesadillas.
• Butter: It's better to use an oil/fat to crisp up the tortilla. Butter is the most flavorful option and pairs perfectly with the flour tortilla and cheese.
• Seasoning: Add a little seasoning to your quesadilla for a kick of flavor. I like using chipotle chili powder. It adds a little spice.

In this recipe, I use flour tortillas rather than corn tortillas since they crisp up better and are easier to work with.

If you want to add chicken to your quesadilla, check out my recipe for Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken or this recipe for Chicken Taco Spice Blend + Cooking Instructions.

🧀 The Best Cheese for a Quesadilla

Oaxaca Cheese- This traditional cheese is the best option for quesadillas. It melts well and pairs perfectly with the tortilla, butter, and chipotle chili.

Low Moisture Mozzarella - Oaxaca cheese is very similar to low-moisture mozzarella cheese and makes a good alternative if you can't find Oaxaca cheese.

Mexican Cheese Mix - Blends can vary from brand to brand, but it's usually some combination of cheddar cheese, monetary jack, Asadero, queso quesadilla, or Oaxaca cheese. The combinations make for a good melting cheese with a lot of flavors.

Monterey Jack Cheese – Another good and easy-to-find alternative to Oaxaca Cheese. It's a mild cheese that melts well.

Cheddar Cheese – Cheddar is a popular cheese for Americans to put in quesadillas. It's a strong-tasting cheese that will give your quesadilla a bold flavor.

Easy Ways to Add More Flavor

Seasoning: Adding a little seasoning to your quesadilla can go a long way. My favorite spice to use is Chipotle Chili Powder. It adds a little kick and flavor. You can use chili powder as a substitute.

Butter: You need an oil/fat to get a perfectly crispy tortilla. I like to use butter—it adds a ton of flavor and pairs perfectly with the flour tortilla and cheese.

How to Make A Cheese Quesadilla

1. Add ¼ cup of cheese and ¼ teaspoon of chipotle seasoning to half of a tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half so the cheese is covered.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add quesadillas to the pan, do not over crowd, you want room to flip them.
3. Flip it to the other side once the tortilla is light golden brown. Add more butter if needed.
4. Remove from pan and repeat with reaming quesadillas.

Tips

If the cheese did not completely melt, your heat was too high. Try cooking your quesadillas at medium-low heat so the tortilla doesn't cook faster than the cheese melts.

Reheating

Place a skillet over medium-low heat. Once hot, add tacos, cook for 2-3 minutes, and then flip. You should not need to add any more butter to the pan. You can also reheat your quesadillas in an air fryer.

Serve Quesadillas With...

• Sour Cream
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Pico De Gallo
• Cilantro
• Queso and Chips

If you need more options, check out this list of easy sides that will pair perfectly quesadilla.

More Quesadilla Recipes