Only 4 ingredients to make the best Cheese Quesadilla! Crispy cheesy edges with soft melted cheese in the middle. And, a "secret" ingredient that adds flavor and balance to a classic cheese quesadilla. You'll never want to make them another way again! (Vegetarian, Gluten Free option).
2(8-inch / 20 cm)flour tortillas(or corn, see note 1)
2 to 4teaspoonshot sauce(see note 2)
1cupshredded Monterey Jack cheese(see note 3)
Instructions
Melt butter: In a non-stick skillet (see note 4), melt butter over medium heat.
Assemble and cook: Spread hot sauce on one side of a tortilla. Place the tortilla in the pan (hot sauce side up), then sprinkle evenly with cheese. (Let a bit of cheese go over the edges of the quesadilla for crispy edges). Top with the remaining tortilla. Cook until the bottom is golden-brown, about 3 minutes. Flip, then cook until the other side is also golden-brown and cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.
Serve: Slice into wedges then serve immediately (see note 5). Can be served with toppings/sauces for dipping (see note 6).
Video
Notes
Tortillas: We prefer flour tortillas, but you could use corn tortillas instead. For a gluten-free option, choose corn tortillas or tortillas made with alternative flours (such as cassava, almond flour, etc.). If you use larger or smaller tortillas, be prepared to adjust the amount of hot sauce and cheese accordingly.
Hot sauce: A Mexican-style hot sauce (such as Valentina or Cholula) is recommended. Otherwise, substitute with Sriracha or a similar substitute.
Cheese: Monterey Jack with Jalapeno is recommended. But a plain Monterey Jack cheese or Cheddar cheese works well too. You can substitute another type of cheese if you prefer, but opt for one that has good flavor and melts smoothly.
Skillet: A non-stick skillet will prevent the quesadilla from sticking, especially if cheese melts around the edges. A seasoned cast iron skillet works well too. If you're not using a non-stick pan, you may wish to use a bit more butter.
Keeping quesadillas warm: If you need to make a batch of quesadillas, pre-heat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Put a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet, then spread the quesadillas on top and keep warm in the oven.
Serving suggestions (optional): Guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cilantro, quick pickled onions, scallions/green onions. More ideas in our post of What to Serve with Quesadillas.