Cooking Cheese Quesadillas: How Long Should You Grill?

Quesadillas are a simple, tasty dish with roots in Mexican cuisine. They are typically made with cheese and chicken, but can be filled with a variety of ingredients. The cooking time for a cheese quesadilla depends on the cooking method, but generally, they take around 5-7 minutes.

To make a cheese quesadilla on a stovetop, heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan and sprinkle cheese over half of it. Fold the tortilla and cook until the bottom is golden brown, then flip and cook the other side. This process should take around 3-4 minutes per side.

Quesadillas can also be cooked in the oven, grill, or microwave, with cooking times varying depending on the method.

Cooking methods: frying pan, oven, grill, or microwave

Frying pan

To cook a cheese quesadilla in a frying pan, first, heat a large frying pan or griddle over medium heat. Place one tortilla in the pan and cook for about 1 minute. Flip the tortilla over and sprinkle cheese on top. Place another tortilla on top to make a sandwich and cover with a lid. Cook for another minute, then flip the quesadilla and cook until the cheese has melted. Transfer the quesadilla to a plate and cut it into triangles before serving.

Oven

To cook a cheese quesadilla in the oven, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Place a tortilla on the baking sheet and fill one side with cheese and any other desired fillings. Fold over the tortilla and brush the top with olive oil. Repeat this process with any additional quesadillas. Bake for 8 minutes, then gently flip and bake for another 8 minutes. Serve immediately.

Grill

To cook a cheese quesadilla on a grill, place a tortilla on a large microwave-safe plate and sprinkle with cheese. Top with another tortilla to make a sandwich. Microwave on high until the cheese is melted, which should take about 1 minute. Slice the quesadilla like a pizza and serve.

Microwave

Coat a cast-iron pan with a thin layer of butter or oil and place over medium to medium-high heat. Add one tortilla to the pan and top with cheese and any other desired fillings. Once the cheese has started to melt, use a spatula to fold the tortilla in half, sandwiching the filling. Transfer the quesadilla to a cutting board and let it cool for a minute or two before cutting into wedges and serving.

Filling options: meat, beans, vegetables, or herbs

Meat, beans, vegetables, and herbs are all great options for filling a quesadilla.

Meat

Meat is a popular filling option for quesadillas. Common meats to add include shredded chicken or pork, steak, bacon, and shrimp. If you're adding meat, make sure to season it first. You can use a store-bought fajita or taco seasoning, or make your own spice blend.

Beans

Beans are another popular filling option, and they can be added alongside meat or other ingredients. Black or pinto beans work well, and you can also use refried beans.

Vegetables

You can add pretty much any vegetables you like to a quesadilla. Onions, bell peppers, zucchini, summer squash, sliced cabbage, shaved or sliced Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, root vegetables, and winter squash are all great options. If you're using heartier vegetables like root vegetables or winter squash, slice them thinly so they cook through. You can also add pre-cooked vegetables to the quesadilla filling, such as roasted butternut squash.

Herbs

Fresh herbs can add a lot of flavor to a quesadilla. Cilantro is a popular choice, and you can also try adding in some spinach or kale.

Cheese types: shredded, melting, or fresh

The type of cheese you use in your quesadillas can make a big difference in the taste and texture of the final product. Here are some options to consider:

Shredded Cheese

Shredded cheese is a popular choice for quesadillas because it melts well and creates a gooey, crispy texture. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Colby are common shredded cheeses used in quesadillas. You can also mix and match different cheeses to create your own unique blend. It is recommended to shred the cheese yourself, as pre-shredded cheese may not melt as well due to the addition of cellulose to prevent clumping.

Melting Cheese

When it comes to melting cheese, freshly grated cheese will always give you the best meltability. Cheddar and Monterey Jack are standard choices for American-style quesadillas, but you can also use other meltable cheeses for a more authentic Mexican quesadilla. Queso, a Mexican melting cheese, is a classic choice.

Fresh Cheese

If you're looking for a fresh cheese option, you can try using queso fresco, a Mexican fresh cheese. It has a mild and creamy flavour that pairs well with other ingredients in quesadillas.

Other Considerations

When choosing the type of cheese for your quesadillas, it's important to consider the flavour and melting properties of the cheese. You can also mix different types of cheese to create a unique blend. In addition, if you're using shredded cheese, it's best to shred it yourself for better melting.

Now that we've discussed the different types of cheese, let's move on to the cooking process. Cooking quesadillas is quite simple and only takes a few minutes. Here are the steps:

• Warm a flour or corn tortilla in a skillet.
• Add your chosen cheese and any desired fillings (such as beans, chicken, vegetables, etc.).
• Wait until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy, then fold it in half.
• Cook the quesadilla for a few minutes on each side until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is golden brown.
• Remove from the heat and cut into wedges.

Crispy tortillas: use a little butter or oil

The key to achieving a crispy tortilla is to use less fat in the pan. Too much butter or oil will make your tortilla soggy instead of crispy. You only need to add enough to coat the bottom of your skillet or frying pan. This is about half a teaspoon of butter or oil.

When cooking quesadillas, it's best to use a neutral-flavoured oil, such as canola or vegetable oil. Olive oil has a strong flavour that doesn't usually mesh well with the cheese.

If you're using a cast-iron pan, you don't need to use any oil or butter at all.

Stovetop Method

Place a tortilla in the pan and sprinkle cheese over half of it. Fold the tortilla in half and cook until the bottom is golden brown. This usually takes about 3–4 minutes. Then, use a spatula to flip the quesadilla and cook the other side for a further 3–4 minutes.

Oven-Baked Method

For an oven-baked quesadilla, preheat your oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Lightly grease a tortilla and place it on a baking sheet, greased-side down. Spread a layer of cheese over the tortilla, followed by your chosen fillings, and then another layer of cheese. Cover the quesadilla with another tortilla and gently press down to seal it.

Bake the quesadilla for 5 minutes, then flip it over and bake for another 5 minutes or until it is golden brown.

Grilling Method

Turn your grill on to medium heat. Place the tortilla on the grill and spread your toppings over half of it. Work quickly so that the tortilla doesn't harden. Fold the tortilla in half and gently press down on it with a spatula. Grill for 3–4 minutes, then flip it over and grill for another 3–4 minutes.

Microwave Method

Place a tortilla on a microwave-safe plate and spread cheese over the whole surface. Add your chosen fillings and cover with another tortilla. Microwave for 30 seconds or until the cheese has melted.

Tips

• Play with the burner temperature. On an electric stove, medium heat will cook the quesadilla in a few minutes. On a gas stove, you may need to cook the quesadilla over slightly higher heat.
• If the cheese is melting but the tortilla isn't yet crisp, turn up the heat a bit and use less butter or oil next time.
• If the tortilla is blackened but the cheese inside is still cool, lower the heat for the next batch.

Cooking time: 3-7 minutes

Cooking Cheese Quesadillas: 3-7 Minutes

Stovetop Method

To make a cheese quesadilla on the stovetop, you'll need a non-stick pan, butter or oil, tortillas, and shredded cheese.

First, heat a small amount of butter or oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Spread the butter or oil around the pan so that the whole bottom surface is covered. Place a tortilla in the pan and sprinkle with shredded cheese, leaving a small gap around the edges.

Once the cheese is melted, after about 3 minutes, fold the tortilla in half and press down gently. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the bottom is golden brown and crispy. Flip the quesadilla and cook the other side for a further 3-4 minutes.

Oven-Baked Method

To make a cheese quesadilla in the oven, preheat the oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Grease a tortilla and place it on a baking sheet, greased-side down. Spread a thin layer of cheese over the tortilla, followed by your chosen fillings, and then another layer of cheese. Cover with a second tortilla and gently press down to seal.

Bake the quesadilla for 5 minutes, then flip it over and bake for another 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Grilling Method

To grill a cheese quesadilla, set your grill to medium heat. Place a tortilla on the grill and spread your fillings over half of it. Quickly fold the tortilla in half and press down gently with a spatula. Grill for 3-4 minutes, then flip and grill the other side for another 3-4 minutes.

Microwave Method

Place a tortilla on a microwave-safe plate and sprinkle with shredded cheese, leaving a small gap around the edges. Cover with a second tortilla and press down gently to seal. Microwave for 30 seconds or until the cheese has melted.

Tips

• For stovetop and grilled quesadillas, use a light coating of butter or oil in the pan or on the grill to prevent the tortilla from becoming soggy.
• For stovetop and grilled quesadillas, cook on medium heat to avoid burning the tortilla.
• For oven-baked quesadillas, grease the tortilla with butter or oil to make the quesadilla crispy.
• For all methods, use two tortillas to make the quesadilla easier to flip and prevent fillings from falling out.
• For all methods, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, grill, or baking sheet.
• For all methods, use shredded cheese, which will melt more easily than block cheese.

Frequently asked questions