How To Make Quesadillas


Quesadillas are an easy meal kids can help make and a great way to use cheese, cooked meat, beans, vegetables, or leftovers. Once kids learn the basic method, they can mix and match fillings to create their own combinations.

Start with our simple quesadilla directions, then try pizza quesadillas, chicken quesadillas, taco quesadillas, vegetable fillings, or even a sweet dessert quesadilla.

Easy quesadilla recipes for kids

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How to Make a Quesadilla

A basic quesadilla only needs tortillas, shredded cheese, and your favorite fillings. Kids can help sprinkle cheese, add fillings, fold tortillas, and choose toppings.

Basic Quesadilla Method

  1. Place a tortilla on a plate or cutting board.
  2. Sprinkle shredded cheese over one half of the tortilla.
  3. Add a thin layer of cooked meat, beans, vegetables, or other fillings.
  4. Add a little more cheese to help hold the filling together.
  5. Fold the tortilla in half.
  6. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly coat with cooking spray or oil if needed.
  7. Cook the quesadilla until the bottom is lightly browned and the cheese begins to melt.
  8. Carefully flip and cook the other side until golden and crisp.
  9. Let cool slightly, then cut into wedges.

Cooking a quesadilla in a skillet

Kid cooking tip: Don't overfill the tortilla. A thin layer of filling makes the quesadilla easier for kids to flip, cut, and eat.

Easy Quesadilla Filling Ideas

Start with shredded cheese, then add one or two favorite fillings. Cook meat and vegetables before adding them to the quesadilla when needed.

Cheese

Try cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Mexican cheese blend, or a combination of favorite melting cheeses.

Bean

Spread on refried beans and add shredded cheese. Add salsa or corn for extra flavor.

Beef

Combine cooked ground beef with cheese, refried beans, or a spoonful of salsa.

Chicken

Add chopped or shredded cooked chicken with cheese and chopped vegetables.

Pizza

Use pizza sauce, mozzarella or cheddar cheese, pepperoni, and favorite pizza toppings.

Vegetable

Try cooked peppers, onions, zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, corn, tomatoes, or other favorite vegetables.

Pizza Quesadillas

Pizza quesadillas are an easy way to combine two kid favorites. Add extra pizza toppings if your family likes them.

Pizza quesadilla with cheese and pizza sauce

Ingredients

  • 8 flour tortillas
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or pizza cheese blend
  • Optional toppings: pepperoni, cooked sausage, olives, mushrooms, or chopped peppers

Directions

  1. Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
  2. Place one tortilla in the skillet.
  3. Spread about 1/4 cup pizza sauce over the tortilla, leaving a small border around the edge.
  4. Sprinkle with cheese and add any optional pizza toppings.
  5. Top with a second tortilla.
  6. Cook until the bottom is lightly browned and the cheese begins to melt.
  7. Carefully flip and cook the other side until golden and crisp.
  8. Remove from the skillet, let cool for a minute, and cut into wedges.

Kid Tip: Let kids choose their own pizza toppings, but keep the filling fairly thin so the quesadilla is easier to flip.

Bean and Vegetable Quesadillas

Beans and vegetables make an easy meatless quesadilla. Use whatever cooked vegetables your family already enjoys.

Bean and Vegetable Quesadillas

Ingredients

  • 4 flour tortillas
  • 1 cup cooked beans, drained, or refried beans
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 1 cup chopped cooked vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, onions, corn, spinach, or mushrooms
  • Optional: salsa for serving

Directions

  1. If needed, sauté the vegetables until tender.
  2. Place a tortilla on a plate or cutting board.
  3. Spread beans over one half of the tortilla.
  4. Add cooked vegetables and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
  5. Fold the tortilla in half.
  6. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until lightly browned.
  7. Flip carefully and cook the second side until golden and the cheese has melted.
  8. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa if desired.

Easy Variation: Refried beans, cheese, and corn make a simple version for kids who prefer fewer ingredients.

Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

These chicken quesadillas combine cooked chicken, cheese, olives, and salsa for a quick lunch or dinner.

Cheesy chicken quesadilla with salsa

Ingredients

  • 2 small flour tortillas
  • 1/4 cup sliced olives
  • 1/4 cup chopped cooked chicken
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 2 tablespoons salsa, drained
  • Cooking spray or a small amount of oil

Directions

  1. Combine the chicken, olives, cheese, and drained salsa in a bowl.
  2. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
  3. Place one tortilla in the skillet.
  4. Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the tortilla.
  5. Top with the second tortilla.
  6. Cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the bottom is lightly browned.
  7. Carefully flip and cook the other side until golden and the cheese has melted.
  8. Remove from the skillet, let cool slightly, and cut into wedges.

Serve with: Salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or another favorite dipping sauce.

Make It Your Own: The original recipe also works with cooked shredded beef, pork, or seafood in place of the chicken.

Chicken Mushroom Quesadillas

Chicken, spinach, mushrooms, and Monterey Jack cheese make a hearty quesadilla that also adds vegetables to the meal.

Chicken mushroom quesadilla

Ingredients

  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, washed, dried, and finely chopped
  • 1 6-ounce jar sliced mushrooms, drained
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

  1. Lay the tortillas on a clean work surface.
  2. Divide the chicken between one half of each tortilla.
  3. Top with spinach and mushrooms.
  4. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the filling.
  5. Fold each tortilla in half and gently press closed.
  6. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
  7. Cook each quesadilla until the bottom is lightly browned.
  8. Flip and cook the second side until golden and the cheese has melted.
  9. Let cool slightly before cutting into wedges.

Kid Tip: Chop the spinach and mushrooms into small pieces so they mix easily with the chicken and cheese.

Vegetable Quesadillas

Recipe contributed by Patricia, USA

Use favorite roasted or sautéed vegetables with plenty of melted cheese for an easy vegetarian quesadilla.

Vegetable quesadilla with melted cheese

Ingredients

  • 4 whole wheat or flour tortillas
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded melting cheese
  • 1 cup cooked vegetables, such as tomatoes, zucchini, red peppers, or green peppers
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Place a tortilla on a plate or cutting board.
  2. Sprinkle cheese over one half.
  3. Add a thin layer of cooked vegetables.
  4. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  5. Add a little more cheese and fold the tortilla in half.
  6. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until the first side is golden.
  7. Flip and cook the other side until browned and the cheese has melted.
  8. Cut into wedges and serve with extra vegetables or salsa if desired.

Vegetable Ideas: Try zucchini, bell peppers, corn, spinach, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, or a combination of leftovers from dinner.

Taco Quesadillas

Turn taco night ingredients into an easy quesadilla with beef, beans, salsa, and melted cheese.

Taco quesadilla with beef beans and cheese

Ingredients

  • 4 flour tortillas
  • 1/2 cup cooked ground beef
  • 1/2 cup kidney beans or refried beans
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 1/4 cup salsa, drained if very watery

Directions

  1. Place a tortilla on a plate or cutting board.
  2. Spread beans over one half of the tortilla.
  3. Add cooked ground beef, salsa, and shredded cheese.
  4. Fold the tortilla in half.
  5. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  6. Cook until the bottom is lightly browned and the cheese begins to melt.
  7. Carefully flip and cook the other side until golden.
  8. Let cool slightly, then cut into wedges.

Easy Variation: Use leftover taco meat from dinner to make these quesadillas for lunch the next day.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Quesadillas

This simple quesadilla combines cooked chicken, ham, and melted cheese for an easy lunch or quick dinner.

Chicken ham and cheese quesadilla

Ingredients

  • 4 flour tortillas
  • 1 cup chopped cooked chicken or cooked chicken strips
  • 4 slices deli ham, chopped or torn into pieces
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar, Swiss, or Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

  1. Place a tortilla on a plate or cutting board.
  2. Sprinkle cheese over one half.
  3. Add cooked chicken and ham.
  4. Sprinkle with a little more cheese.
  5. Fold the tortilla in half.
  6. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden on the first side.
  7. Flip carefully and cook until the second side is browned and the cheese has melted.
  8. Let cool slightly before cutting into wedges.

Serving Idea: Serve with sliced fruit, vegetables, or a small green salad for an easy meal.

Chicken Quesadillas

Recipe contributed by Chantal Haviland, USA

This classroom-tested chicken quesadilla combines Italian-seasoned chicken, two cheeses, and fresh tomato.

Cheesy chicken quesadilla with tomatoes

Ingredients

  • 1-2 chicken breasts
  • Italian dressing, for marinating
  • 1 package Mexican cheese blend
  • 1 package mozzarella cheese
  • 1-2 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 package flour tortillas
  • Butter or cooking spray, as needed

Directions

  1. Marinate the chicken breasts in Italian dressing.
  2. Cook the chicken completely in a skillet, then let it cool slightly.
  3. Chop or shred the cooked chicken into small pieces.
  4. Heat a clean skillet over medium heat.
  5. Place a tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle Mexican cheese over one half.
  6. Add cooked chicken and chopped tomato.
  7. Top with mozzarella cheese.
  8. Fold the tortilla in half.
  9. Cook until the bottom is lightly browned.
  10. Flip and cook the second side until golden and the cheese has melted.
  11. Let cool slightly before serving.

Serve with: Sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.

Kid Cooking Tip: Have kids assemble the tortillas after the chicken has been fully cooked and cooled enough to handle.

Hawaiian Pineapple Quesadillas

Recipe contributed by Myah from Columbus, Ohio

Sweet pineapple, chicken, and melted cheese make a fun Hawaiian-inspired quesadilla.

Chicken pineapple quesadilla

Ingredients

  • 8 flour tortillas
  • Butter or cooking spray, as needed
  • 2 cups pineapple pieces, drained well
  • 1 package cooked grilled chicken, chopped
  • 3 cups shredded cheese

Directions

  1. Drain the pineapple well and pat dry if needed so the quesadillas do not become soggy.
  2. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
  3. Place one tortilla in the skillet.
  4. Sprinkle with cheese, then add chicken and pineapple.
  5. Add another small layer of cheese and top with a second tortilla.
  6. Cook until the bottom is lightly browned.
  7. Carefully flip and cook the other side until golden and the cheese has melted.
  8. Remove from the skillet and let cool slightly.
  9. Cut into wedges and serve.

Kid Tip: Keep the pineapple pieces small and drain them well so the filling stays inside the tortilla more easily.

Chocolate Banana Quesadillas

Finish with a sweet quesadilla filled with peanut butter, banana, and chocolate chips.

Chocolate banana dessert quesadilla

Ingredients

  • 2 8-inch whole wheat tortillas
  • 4 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
  • 1 large banana, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Place a tortilla on a plate or cutting board.
  2. Spread peanut butter over one half of the tortilla.
  3. Arrange banana slices over the peanut butter.
  4. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
  5. Fold the tortilla in half.
  6. Cook in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until lightly crisp on the first side.
  7. Flip carefully and cook the second side until golden and the chocolate begins to soften.
  8. Let cool slightly, then cut into wedges.

Easy Dessert Quesadilla Variations

  • Instead of peanut butter: Try almond butter, hazelnut spread, sunflower seed butter, or another favorite spread.
  • Instead of banana: Try sliced strawberries, raspberries, or apricots.
  • Instead of chocolate chips: Try white chocolate chips, caramel chips, or another favorite baking chip.

Allergy Tip: If peanut or tree nuts need to be avoided, use a nut-free spread that is appropriate for your family or school.

Quesadillas 4 Ways Video

Once you know the basic method, quesadillas are easy to customize. Watch this video for four more ways to combine tortillas, cheese, and different fillings.

Try this with kids: Set out a few bowls of cooked fillings and let each child build a different quesadilla combination before cooking.

More Kids Lunch Recipes

Looking for more lunch ideas? Find additional kid-friendly recipes and meal ideas for adding variety to lunch boxes throughout the week.

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes

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Fill tortillas with chicken, cheese, and sauce for an easy baked dinner.

Beef and Bean Enchiladas
Combine seasoned beef, beans, tortillas, and cheese in a family-friendly casserole.

Tacos and Burritos
Let kids build their own tacos or burritos with favorite fillings and toppings.

Chicken Taquitos
Roll cooked chicken and other fillings inside tortillas for an easy handheld meal.

Deluxe Nachos
Layer chips with cheese, meat, beans, vegetables, and favorite toppings.

Taco Salad
Turn taco ingredients into a colorful salad kids can assemble themselves.

Homemade Flour Tortillas
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Quesadilla FAQ

How do you keep quesadillas from falling apart?
Use a thin layer of filling and avoid overstuffing the tortilla. Adding cheese underneath and on top of the filling can help hold everything together as the cheese melts.
What cheese works best for quesadillas?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Mexican cheese blends, and other cheeses that melt easily work well. Kids can also combine two cheeses for a different flavor.
Can you make quesadillas without oil or butter?
Yes. A nonstick skillet or griddle can usually cook quesadillas without added oil or butter. Cook over medium heat so the tortilla browns without burning before the cheese melts.
What can you put inside a quesadilla?
Quesadillas can be filled with cheese, beans, cooked chicken, ground beef, vegetables, pizza toppings, leftover meat, or combinations of these ingredients. Sweet fillings such as banana, chocolate, or fruit spreads can also be used for dessert quesadillas.
Can kids make quesadillas?
Kids can help choose fillings, sprinkle cheese, assemble tortillas, and cut softer ingredients. Older children can help cook quesadillas with appropriate supervision around the hot skillet.
Can quesadillas be made ahead of time?
The fillings can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated so the quesadillas are quick to assemble. Cooked quesadillas are usually best served soon after cooking so the tortillas stay crisp.

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