Frederic Melton
Quesadillas are a delicious, simple, and comforting Mexican dish that can be made with a variety of cheeses. The choice of cheese is crucial as it adds richness and gooeyness to the quesadilla. While traditional Mexican quesadillas use corn tortillas, Americans have popularized the use of flour tortillas, which are softer, more pliable, and larger, allowing for more fillings. When it comes to cheese, a Mexican cheese blend is ideal, but you can also use cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or any other favorite melting cheese. For a more authentic Mexican flavor, try queso Oaxaca (quesillo), Chihuahua, Asadero, or Quesadilla cheeses, which can be found in most Hispanic grocery stores. To ensure the best melt, shred your own cheese and avoid pre-shredded varieties, which are coated in anti-caking agents that can affect melting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Chihuahua, Oaxaca (or Quesillo), Asadero, Quesadilla, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, Goat Cheese |
| Cheese form | Shredded, grated, or blocks |
| Tortilla type | Flour, corn, almond flour, corn and flour, gluten-free, whole wheat, spinach |
| Tortilla size | 10-inch or smaller |
| Add-ins | Chicken, beef, shrimp, steak, ham, chorizo, bacon, black beans, pinto beans, corn, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, spinach, herbs, avocado, rice, salad |
| Condiments | Guacamole, sour cream, salsa, lettuce, avocado, cider vinegar |
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What You'll Learn
Monterey Jack
Quesadillas are a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of cheeses, but Monterey Jack is a popular choice. This mildly flavoured, semi-hard cheese is known for its melting properties, making it ideal for quesadillas. It is similar to Oaxaca cheese, a traditional Mexican cheese used in quesadillas, but has a string cheese texture.
When making a quesadilla with Monterey Jack cheese, it is recommended to grate the cheese yourself, as freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese. You can use a cheese grater to grate a block of Monterey Jack, which will result in a creamier texture when melted.
To make a quesadilla, start by heating butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted, place a tortilla in the pan and sprinkle grated Monterey Jack cheese on top. If desired, you can add other fillings at this point, such as cooked chicken, beef, vegetables, or beans. Then, fold the tortilla in half and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until the cheese has melted and the tortilla is golden brown.
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Cheddar
When making a quesadilla with cheddar, it is important to consider the type of tortilla used. Quesadillas can be made with flour or corn tortillas, and gluten-free options are also available. The tortilla should be heated in a skillet or on a griddle, and butter can be added to enhance the flavour and texture. The cheddar cheese should be shredded or grated and then melted in the tortilla.
To make a quesadilla, heat a skillet or griddle to medium-high heat. Add butter or oil to the pan, then place a tortilla in the pan. Sprinkle grated or shredded cheddar cheese onto the tortilla, then add any additional fillings. Fold the tortilla over and cook until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is golden brown. Serve with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or other desired toppings.
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Mozzarella
While mozzarella is a popular choice for quesadillas, it is not traditional. Authentic Mexican cheeses like quesadilla cheese, queso Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Asadero, and Queso de Bola are all excellent choices. If you can't find these cheeses, Monterey Jack is a good substitute.
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Chihuahua
When making quesadillas, it is important to use a cheese that melts well. Other popular choices of cheese that melt well and are commonly used in quesadillas include cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and pepper jack. These cheeses can be used as an alternative to Chihuahua cheese, depending on availability and personal preference.
To make the perfect quesadilla, it is recommended to use butter to crisp up the tortillas and give them a golden-brown colour and crunchy texture. The tortillas can be made from flour or corn, depending on your preference. The key to a great quesadilla is balance, so be sure not to overfill your tortilla with cheese and other ingredients to avoid spilling during cooking.
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Oaxaca
When making quesadillas with Oaxaca cheese, it is recommended to use flour tortillas, although corn tortillas are more traditional. The tortillas can be lightly toasted to improve the flavour. In addition to the cheese, quesadillas can be filled with various ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, or salsa.
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Frequently asked questions
The best cheeses for quesadillas are those that melt well. Some good options include Monterey Jack, cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, Chihuahua, Asadero, Oaxaca, and Quesadilla.
You can use either corn or flour tortillas for quesadillas. Corn tortillas are traditional in Mexico, but flour tortillas are more common in the US. Flour tortillas are softer, more pliable, and larger, while corn tortillas are smaller, sturdier, and have a more pronounced flavour.
You can add any type of vegetable or protein to your quesadilla. Some popular options include cooked veggies, beans, meat, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, and onions.
To make a quesadilla, start by warming a tortilla in a skillet or griddle. Shower the tortilla with shredded cheese and any other desired fillings. Then, fold the tortilla over to create a half-moon shape and cook until the cheese has melted and the tortilla is golden brown.
