The quesadilla, whose roots go back to northern Mexico in the 16th century, is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in different ways. Whether you enjoy having your quesadilla with chicken and cheese for lunch or you prefer to make it with Nutella for dessert, quesadillas always seem to be just the thing.
In honor of National Quesadilla Day on September 25th, here is a list of 13 quesadilla recipes to make right in your own kitchen. From options filled with fresh produce to others made with seasonal ingredients like pumpkin, your next new favorite quesadilla recipe awaits.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
In equal parts taste and texture, this crispy quesadilla gets its signature taste from smoky chorizo, sautéed onions and mushrooms, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese. Make sure you top the quesadilla with a scoop of guacamole to add some refreshing notes and healthy fiber to the mixture. We happen to have 20 awesome guacamole recipes for you to try!
Get our recipe for crispy quesadillas with guacamole.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
We love that this restaurant-worthy quesadilla is a healthier option without sacrificing taste. For example, instead of just soaking in cheese and oil, this quesadilla has fresh ingredients like yellow peppers and onions cooked right next to juicy shrimp. Tip: Be sure to marinate the seafood in orange juice, chipotle pepper, and garlic for a truly memorable taste. Bookmark our 25 healthy, high protein shrimp recipes for future dinner inspiration.
Get our recipe for Healthy Chipotle Shrimp Quesadilla.
Courtesy of half-baked crop
Quesadillas don’t have to be limited to just lunch or dinner, they can also be served as a dessert. This sweet treat is made from flour tortillas, butter, sugar and Nutella and takes just ten minutes. Make sure to top it with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. If you like Nutella, you will want to know 13 secrets about the popular spread.
Get the Cinnamon Sugar Nutella Quesadilla Recipe from Half-Baked Harvest.
Courtesy of Inspired Taste
If your chicken quesadillas are in need of a makeover, then try this pesto chicken quesadilla that only lasts ten minutes. This flavourful dish with rich basil pesto, shredded chicken and creamy cheese tastes great with rice and sauteed vegetables. For those who prefer a store-bought pesto, check out our list of the best and worst pesto sauces – Ranking!
Get the recipe for Pesto Chicken Quesadilla from Inspired Taste.
Courtesy feast at home
Almost all of the ingredients for this healthy, vegetable-centric quesadilla can be taken with you on your next trip to your local farmers market. Filled with fresh produce like peppers, zucchini, corn, mushrooms and sweet potatoes and high fiber details like black beans, this recipe makes for a hearty lunch or a filling dinner. This is how you can tell if you are not getting enough fiber in your diet.
Get the recipe for Veggie Quesadilla Farmers Market by Feasting at Home.
Courtesy of Cookie and Kate
A traditional quesadilla recipe gets a unique twist when chickpeas, kalamata olives, and chopped red onions all add to the equation. Make sure you also make the accompanying dill mint yogurt dip, which adds a refreshing touch of cool taste to this hearty dish. We love the taste of chickpeas and they can even help you lose weight!
Get the Tomato, Olive, and Chickpea Quesadilla Recipe from Cookie and Kate
Courtesy Well Plated
High in protein and fiber, this vegetarian quesadilla breakfast recipe combines delicious ingredients like low-sodium white beans, crunchy spinach and freshly grated cheese with perfectly seasoned scrambled eggs. This recipe can also be prepared for a simple future breakfast (or snack) and then frozen. If you’re a novice chef, here are our best hacks to make perfect scrambled eggs.
Get the Well Plated Breakfast Quesadilla Recipe.
Courtesy of the girl who ate it all
This simple recipe combines two of our favorite home cooked foods – pizza and quesadillas. Made with five easy-to-find ingredients, this pizza quesadilla is particularly suitable for kids because it’s delicious, filling, and only takes a few minutes. Be sure to experiment with add-ins like hot peppers, chopped pepper, and even sliced black olives to recreate some of your favorite pizza toppings.
Get the Pizza Quesadilla Recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.
Courtesy of Cookie and Kate
Crunchy, creamy, and tart, these apple cheddar quesadillas really knock it out of the ballpark. We especially love how the flavors of the apple intensify when thinly sliced shallots and some Dijon mustard are added. This dish goes well with warm-baked sweet potato fries or a hearty chicken noodle soup. When choosing a cheddar cheese, consult our list: 8 best cheddar cheeses in the grocery store and 2 to avoid
Get the Apple Cheddar Quesadilla Recipe from Cookie and Kate.
Courtesy of Taste and Tell
Smoky chipotle beef is paired with melted Monterey Jack cheese for a truly delicious dinner. This recipe goes well with a cheesy potato soup or a Greek salad. Try one of our best slow cooker soup recipes.
Get the recipe for Chipotle Beef Quesadilla from the Taste and Tell blog.
Courtesy Foxes Love Lemons
This recipe uses an unexpected ingredient, canned pumpkin puree, to create a quesadilla that is perhaps just a culinary masterpiece. Bred to life by smoky chili powder, chopped fresh sage, and soft brie cheese, this dish is bursting with flavor and texture. Speaking of sage, here are 20 herbs that you can try for your mind and body.
Get the recipe for Pumpkin Brie Quesadilla from Foxes Love Lemons.
Courtesy Gimme Some Oven
Oaxaca cheese paired with epazote leaves make this 3-minute quesadilla recipe a memorable one. Make sure you make some fresh salsa with bright ingredients like chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice to serve for added flavor. Here you can find out how you can prepare salsa at restaurant level with just five ingredients.
Get the recipe for Surprise Ingredients Cheese Quesadilla from Gimme Some Oven.
Courtesy The Creative Bite
An unexpected kitchen tool, the crockpot, plays a key role in this delicious quesadilla recipe that combines grilled chicken, fresh pineapple, and grated cheddar cheese. Garnished with coriander and served with sour cream, this simple recipe can be added to your midweek dinner.
Get the Crockpot BBQ Chicken and Pineapple Quesadilla Recipe from The Creative Bite.
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