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You are here: Home / Recipes / Game Day

3 Ingredient Cheese Quesadilla Recipe

📋 Modified: Jan 21, 2025 Published: Aug 14, 2022 by 👩🏻‍🍳 Jami Powell · This post may contain affiliate links · 💬 3 Comments

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This quick and easy Cheese Quesadilla Recipe using only 3 simple ingredients is a staple in our house. Cheese quesadillas taste great on their own, but also go well with a Mexican salad, paired with your favorite protein, or served with a side of salsa, guacamole, or sour cream as a kid-friendly snack.

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We love Mexican food and quesadillas are at the top of our list! Without a griddle, making this dish is just as easy in a non-stick pan. Quesadillas are the Mexican version of the American grilled cheese.

Looking for more amazing Mexican recipes? Try our Restaurant Style Guacamole (without Cilantro) or these easy Air Fryer Tostadas.

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Cheese Quesadilla Ingredients
  • How to Make a 3 Ingredient Cheese Quesadilla
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • Expert Tips for Success
  • Storage
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Related
  • More Mexican Recipes You'll Love ♥️
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Share Your Thoughts

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Quick & Easy: Just three ingredients, a quick shred, and a flip—ready in under five minutes!
  • Kid-Friendly: A perfect after-school snack that’s easy to double for sharing.
  • Versatile: Customize with leftover veggies, shredded meat, or your favorite dipping sauces.

Cheese Quesadilla Ingredients

A labeled photo of everything needed to make a cheese quesadilla.
  • Tortillas: Jumbo flour tortillas work best for this recipe.
  • Cheese: We typically use White Cheddar cheese, Monterrey Jack, or Colby. A combination of cheeses works very well, too.
  • Olive Oil: Used for browning.

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make a 3 Ingredient Cheese Quesadilla

Brushing oil on a flour tortilla

STEP 1: Prepare the Cheese and Tortilla

Use a cheese grater to shred the cheese.

Lightly brush the tortilla with olive oil, being sure to coat the entire shell.

shredded cheese piled up on one side of tortilla

STEP 2: Cook the Quesadillas

In a frying pan on low-medium heat, lay down the tortilla so that it is flat and unfolded with the oily side touching the pan. Generously top half of the tortilla with the shredded cheese.

Using a spatula to press down the quesadilla in the pan

STEP 4: Fold and Continue Cooking

Fold the other (empty) side of the tortilla over the cheese to cover. Cook for approximately one minute while pressing down with a spatula. When slightly browned, flip the folded tortilla once more to finish browning on the other side.

Cutting quesadilla with a pizza cutter

STEP 4: Cut and Serve

Remove the cheese quesadilla from the burner and place on a clean cutting board. Using a pizza cutter, cut into single-serve wedges.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Tortillas: Wheat flour tortillas make a good substitute.
  • Cheese: Experiment with multiple grated cheese varieties to enhance the flavor.
  • Protein Add-ins: Add shredded chicken, cooked ground or shredded beef, and even grilled shrimp if you want more protein in your diet.
  • Vegetable Add-ins: Add bell peppers, grilled onion, corn, black beans, and other veggies for a delicious Meatless Monday or Vegetarian weeknight meal.
  • Course: Breakfast tortillas with egg, bacon, and cheese or dessert tortillas with cinnamon and sugar are a popular favorite, too.

Expert Tips for Success

👩‍🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!

✔️ DO: Use block cheese for better melting, but pre-shredded works if you're short on time.
✔️ DO: Cook on medium heat to prevent burning while ensuring even melting.
✔️ DO: Let the quesadilla rest for a minute before slicing to keep the cheese from oozing out.
❌ DON’T: Overfill with cheese—too much can spill out and burn in the pan.

Storage

Store quesadillas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezing isn’t recommended as it affects texture. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer for crispiness, or use a microwave for a softer result.

Recipe FAQs

How do you pronounce quesadilla?

It is pronounced kay-suh-dee-uh. The L's are silent and you stress the 3rd syllable.

Can you make quesadillas in the air fryer?

Yes! Brush them with a light amount of oil and cook them at 350F for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. If they get dark on the outside, but the cheese isn't fully melted, just add them to the microwave for a few seconds to finish.

Traditional Quesadillas vs. Tex Mex (US Quesadillas)

Originating in Mexico, traditional quesadillas were made with corn tortillas and were filled with a stringy cheese called Oaxaca. Popular add-ins were potatoes, chorizo, chicken or beef Tinga, and cooked pork.

close up of cheese quesadilla feature image

Related

  • Healthy Air Fryer Tostadas Mexicanas
  • Easy Vegetarian Quesadillas with Black Beans and Corn

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Did You Like This Easy Cheese Quesadilla Recipe?

  • Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Rating if think this simple quesadilla recipe is amazing!

📖 Recipe

close up of cheese quesadilla feature image

3 Ingredient Cheese Quesadilla Recipe

Jami Powell
In this post, we'll guide you through the process of making this 3 Ingredient Cheese Quesadilla Recipe with easy-to-follow steps. Cheese quesadillas taste great on their own but also go well with your favorite Mexican food, paired with your favorite protein, or served with a side of salsa, guacamole, or sour cream as a kid-friendly snack. Try this easy recipe today!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Lunch, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 wedges
Calories 188 kcal

Equipment

  • Frying pan
  • Spatula
  • Cheese grater
  • Pizza cutter or Knife
  • Cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 2 jumbo Flour tortillas
  • 2 cups Oaxaca, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Asadero, or mozzarella (shredded)
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Begin by shredding all the cheese using a cheese grater.
  • With a pastry brush, lightly coat one side of each flour tortilla with olive oil, ensuring the entire surface is covered.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, place one tortilla with the oiled side down, making sure it lies flat and unfolded. Sprinkle a generous amount of the shredded cheese on one half of the tortilla.
  • Carefully fold the other half of the tortilla over the cheese, creating a half-moon shape.
  • Cook the quesadilla for about one minute, gently pressing down with a spatula to help it cook evenly. Once the bottom side turns golden brown, flip the quesadilla to brown the other side as well.
  • Once both sides are nicely browned and the cheese is melted, remove the quesadilla from the pan and transfer it to a clean cutting board.
  • Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, slice the quesadilla into single-serve wedges.

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Notes

Storage Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Wrap wedges individually in aluminum foil to prevent sticking.
Freeze This dish is not freezer friendly.
Reheat Warm leftover cheese quesadillas in an air fryer to help retain their crispy texture.
Substitutions
  • Tortillas: Wheat flour tortillas make a good substitute. You could also try corn tortillas.
  • Cheese: Experiment with multiple grated cheese varieties to provide different flavors. *See Cheese Guide in post above.
  • Olive Oil: Olive oil could be replaced with a tablespoon of butter.
  •  
  •  
Nutrition The provided nutrition information is only an estimate.
Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 188kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 10gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 362mgPotassium: 43mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 388IUCalcium: 282mgIron: 0.4mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @powell.family.cooking on Instagram

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Comments

  1. Nancy Bullard says

    March 14, 2025 at 2:11 am

    5 stars
    These are so easy and great! My husband loves them!

    Reply
  2. Ruth Ann Brockett says

    July 20, 2023 at 6:42 am

    5 stars
    This is quick and easy and delicious recipe you will enjoy it trust me.Ma:ma Ruth

    Reply
    • Jami Powell says

      July 20, 2023 at 11:14 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the quesadillas! Thank you!

      Reply
4.75 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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