Cheese quesadillas are a quick and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or main course. The key to a successful quesadilla is finding the right balance of ingredients, ensuring the cheese melts and holds the tortillas together. With the option to customize the filling using leftover ingredients, these quesadillas are a great way to use up little bits of this and that. In just 15 minutes, you can have a delicious and satisfying dish ready to enjoy.
MAKES: 8 to 16 servings
TIME: 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn (optional)
- Eight 8-inch flour tortillas
- 2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, Jack, or a combination)
- 1/2 cup minced scallion
- 1/4 cup minced canned green chiles
- 1/4 cup salsa (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- If using oil, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
- Place a tortilla in the skillet. Top with a quarter of the cheese, minced scallion, minced green chiles, and salsa (if using), then cover with another tortilla.
- Cook until the cheese begins to melt, approximately 2 minutes. Flip the quesadilla and cook until the cheese is melted and both sides are toasted, another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 to make the remaining quesadillas.
- Cut the quesadillas into wedges and serve immediately or keep them warm until ready to serve.
VARIATIONS:
- Grilled Quesadillas: For a crispy and slightly smoky flavor, heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Brush one side of a tortilla with oil and place it on the grill. Build the quesadilla as instructed in Step 2, brushing oil on the top tortilla. Grill until the cheese melts and the tortillas are toasted, turning once.
- Chile-Bean Quesadillas: Substitute 3 or 4 jalapeño, poblano, or serrano chiles (seeded and chopped) for the green chiles. Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic and 1 cup well-drained cooked or canned pinto beans. Cook the chiles and garlic in a tablespoon of oil, then proceed with the recipe.
- Quesadilla for One: Scale down the ingredients for an individual-sized quesadilla. Use a drizzle or two of oil, 2 tortillas, approximately 1/4 cup cheese, 2 tablespoons minced scallion, 1 tablespoon minced green chile, and a dollop of salsa.
Cheese quesadillas are a versatile and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether you choose to cook them on the stovetop or grill them for a smoky flavor, the combination of melted cheese, scallions, and green chiles creates a mouthwatering filling. Feel free to customize the quesadillas by adding leftover cooked meat or experimenting with different types of cheese. Enjoy these quesadillas as a quick snack, appetizer, or a flavorful main course.
