Do quesadillas make a great meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner? Yes! Are they a budget-friendly dish you can serve to a whole household or more? Yes! Discover how to make quesadillas and impress the whole table no matter who you’re cooking for. 

Consider this how-to article your how to make quesadillas cheat sheet. You will learn exactly how to make chicken quesadillas, how to make cheese quesadillas, how to make steak quesadillas and more generally, how to make quesadillas from scratch.

 Jump to Section

• How to Make the Best Quesadilla
• Best Cheese for Quesadillas
• How to Make Quesadillas on the Stove
• How to Make Quesadillas in the Oven
• Various Quesadilla Fillings
• What to Serve with Quesadillas
• Quesadilla Recipe

How to Make the Best Quesadilla

Learning how to make the best quesadilla only takes a few simple ingredients whether you’re using a stovetop or an oven. It’s easy to make quesadillas once you discover the secrets behind each ingredient. To make quesadillas you just need tortillas, a filling and the pièce de resistance, cheese. It’s that simple! Learning how to make quesadillas always begins at the base: the tortilla. 

You may be asking yourself a timeworn question, should I use a corn or a flour tortilla? 

If you’re looking to take more of a traditional route when learning how to make quesadillas, you’ll want to use corn tortillas. Traditionally, corn tortillas are the standard in Mexican cuisine. Made using masa harina, which translates to “corn flour” in English, corn tortillas have the flavor of roasted corn and tend to taste a bit sweeter. 

While corn tortillas are more popular than their floury counterparts in Central America, in Northern Mexico and the United States, flour tortillas are of higher popularity. Flour tortillas are sturdier than corn tortillas and are often much larger in size. Due to the breakable nature of corn tortillas, it’s much harder to keep your quesadilla together when learning how to make quesadillas. You can find flour tortillas at your local grocery store plain or lightly toasted. The lightly toasted shells add a bit more flavor to your quesadilla meal. 

Next, you’ll need a proper filling. 

When learning how to make quesadillas, you can make it as simple or complex as you’d like. They make the perfect entrée for vegetarians and meat lovers, for flavor fanatics and soft palate eaters, and for kids and adults of all ages. Stuff your quesadilla with your favorite vegetables, meats or keep it simple with a deliciously seasoned cheese mixture. Speaking of, you can’t learn how to make quesadillas without choosing the right cheese. 

Best Cheese for Quesadillas

Sure, you could use any cheese you have lying around to make quesadillas and you’d still have yourself a tasty treat. But to make quesadillas the right way, you’ll want a cheese that will give them that classic molten and stretchy feel. 

Traditional Mexican cheeses such as Oaxaca or Chihuahua cheese, will give you just the luxurious, gooey texture you’re looking for. If you can’t find Oaxaca or Chihuahua cheese, don’t worry. Combine one cup of mozzarella with one cup of Monterey Jack cheese in a bowl and that will do the trick. 

However, feel free to experiment when learning how to make quesadillas! Cheddar, mozzarella, feta, provolone and Gouda also make for great cheesy options. You’ll want to avoid aged cheeses as they’ve lost much of their moisture. 

If you can, try to get blocks of cheese to crumble or shred yourself. Typically, pre-shredded cheeses come with additives that will affect the flavor of your quesadilla in the end. 

How to Make Quesadillas on the Stove

Searing your tortilla masterpiece on the stove is a quintessential method to make quesadillas. The trick to how to make quesadillas on the stove is to make sure you pay attention to what kind of pan you will be using because this will affect whether you need to use oil. 

If you are using a non-stick pan there is no need to use oil. However, if you are using ceramic, enameled cast iron or a stainless-steel pan you will have to add two teaspoons of oil. Avocado oil, extra-virgin olive oil or butter will do the trick.

To make a quesadilla on the stove you will need:

• flour or corn tortillas
• 2 cups Oaxaca cheese
• ¾ cup cilantro 
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons of oil (optional)

First, mix together cheese and spices in a bowl. Place a single tortilla on a clean, flat surface. As you begin to assemble your quesadilla, place a skillet on the stove over medium-low heat. If the pan is not non-stick, add oil. 

Make sure to keep the heat at a moderate temperature or else you run the risk of burning the quesadilla. 

Next, as your pan begins to heat, sprinkle the cheese and spice mixture over half of the tortilla shell and then fold over. Once the pan has heated, carefully place the folded quesadilla onto the pan and press down lightly with a spatula before covering the pan with a lid. Cook for 3 minutes. 

Finally, remove the lid from the pan and carefully flip the quesadilla to allow the other side to cook. Cook for an additional 3 minutes uncovered. 

There you have it! You’ve learned how to make quesadillas. Repeat these steps for each individual quesadilla you wish to make. However, the stovetop isn’t the only way to make quesadillas. 

How to Make Quesadillas in the Oven

Learning how to make quesadillas in the oven may be even easier than learning how to make quesadillas on the stove. This method allows you to focus on other things such as making a delicious side or giving you more time to spend with the people you are feeding. 

First, preheat the oven to 350°F. As the oven preheats, lay out a baking sheet and cover it with a layer of parchment paper. In a bowl, mix together 2 cups Oaxaca cheese, ¾ cup cilantro, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons cumin powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

Next, lay out the tortillas on top of the baking sheet. Cover half of each tortilla with the cheese and spice mixture. Then, carefully fold each tortilla in half. 

Finally, bake for approximately 5-10 minutes until the tortillas are golden brown. 

Learning how to make quesadillas couldn’t get any easier, which is why you may want to consider adding a filling!

Various Quesadilla Fillings

As mentioned previously, quesadillas are versatile dishes that you can chef up or down however you’d like. So when learning how to make quesadillas, it’s important to explore all the flavors a quesadilla has to offer. Let’s focus on three varieties of fillings: chicken, vegetable and steak. 

The easiest part is the base stays the same!

For each base filling you will need:

• 2 cups Oaxaca cheese
• ¾ cup cilantro 
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

To make quesadillas using chicken you will need 2 skinless chicken breasts. Whether you choose to make quesadillas on the stove or in the oven, you’ll want to first cook the chicken on a skillet. 

To do so, heat a skillet on the stove over medium heat and add one tablespoon of olive oil. 

Once the pan is hot, add the chicken to the skillet and sauté both sides for about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and once cooled down, dice into cubes. 

It only takes one more step to learn how to make chicken quesadillas. Finally, mix cheese, spices and chicken together in a bowl.

To make quesadillas using vegetables, begin by deciding which vegetables you’d like to include. The best part about this filling is any vegetable will do! However, if this is your first time learning how to make quesadillas and you’d like to add some vegetables, stick to the classics. Bell peppers, onions and a bit of jalapeño will do. 

Chop up one bell pepper, ¼ of an onion and one jalapeño. If you’re looking for less spice when making a quesadilla, remove the jalapeno seeds. 

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Once the pan is hot, add the veggies to the pan and let simmer until the onion is translucent. This will take about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.

In a bowl, mix the two cups of cheese, spices and vegetables. 

To learn how to make steak quesadillas, you’ll want to use flank or skirt steak. Fairly inexpensive flank or skirt steaks are the perfect choice when learning how to make quesadillas because they are thin and easier to work with. If you decide to use another choice of steak make sure to cut it as thinly as possible to avoid chewiness. 

Begin by placing a skillet over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. While the pan gets hot, season steak evenly with 1 teaspoon of salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder on both sides.

Add the steak to the pan once it is hot enough and cook evenly on both sides for 4-8 minutes depending on your preferred doneness.

Remove steak from the skillet and onto a cutting board. Cover with aluminum foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Once rested, remove the aluminum foil and slice the steak against the grain. 

Finally, add sliced steak into a bowl with cheese and spices. Mix until well combined.

Now that you’ve explored three delicious fillings to use when learning how to make quesadillas, it’s time to navigate the wonderful world of side dishes.

What to Serve with Quesadillas:

Now that you've learned different ways to make crepes, you'll probably be wondering what fillings or toppings will take your airy and crispy crepes into a sweet or salty dish.

The best thing about crepes is their versatility. When learning how to make crepes, you'll also want to know its best pairings. Here are ten different ways to prepare your crepes, whether you want them sweet or savory. 

1. Roasted Poblano Peppers

Roasted poblano peppers make the perfect side treat to any Mexican dish. Not only are they easy to make, but they will add a nice hint of smokiness to your meal.

2. Salsa Roja

Everyone knows you can’t serve quesadillas without serving salsa! Skip the grocery line and make this quick and easy salsa roja recipe instead.

3. Avocado Crema 

If you’re sick of guacamole but still crave the creamy texture of avocado, consider making an avocado crema. All you need to make this smooth, creamy and tangy spread are a few simple ingredients and a food processor or blender.

4. Jamaican Rice and Beans

Bring two cultures together in one meal by pairing your quesadilla with Jamaican rice and beans. Perfumed with spices, this flavorful side dish will amp up any meal.

5. Grilled Potatoes

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these grilled potatoes will add a mouthwatering, charbroiled to your quesadilla feast.

6. Refried Black Beans

Refried black beans are a favorite in many households in Mexico and for good reason. It may be a simple dish to make, but it comes with a whole load of nutritional value.

7. Air Fryer Green Beans

While you’re using the oven or stovetop to make quesadillas, break out the air fryer to make air fryer green beans.

8. Green Goddess Dip

Add a healthy snack to all those carbs and make a green goddess dip. Serve with vegetables of your choosing or drizzle right on top of your quesadillas.

9. Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad

Toss together fresh vegetables and a light lemon vinaigrette to make a garden-fresh cucumber tomato avocado salad. Not only is this side good for you, but it will add a hint of citrus to your meal.

10. Street Corn Dip

If you’re all about zest, you won’t be able to stop making this street corn dip. Both sweet and savory, this dip is to die for.

Quesadilla Recipe

Meals don’t have to be complicated to be delicious and by learning how to make quesadillas, you’ve successfully discovered a go-to, tasty meal you can make in a jiffy. No matter who you are serving, they’re sure to be pleased with your quesadilla feast.

Ready to make your own quesadilla? Follow the detailed Cozymeal video at the top of the page and the step-by-step recipe we provide below.