Frederic Melton
Quesadillas are a Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla filled with cheese and sometimes meats, spices, and other fillings. While there are many variations of cheese that can be used in quesadillas, the most common is Oaxaca cheese, a stringy, semi-soft Mexican cheese with a smooth, meltable texture and a delicate, milky flavour. Other popular cheeses used in quesadillas include Monterey Jack, cheddar, mozzarella, Chihuahua, and Asadero.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Oaxaca, Asadero, Chihuahua, Queso Quesadilla, Queso Fresco, Goat Cheese, Queso Menonita |
| Texture | Creamy, Smooth, Melty, Stretchy, Stringy, Crumbly |
| Flavour | Mild, Salty, Spicy |
| Colour | White, Golden Brown |
| Tortilla type | Corn, Flour, Wheat, Almond Flour |
| Add-ons | Meat, Vegetables, Beans, Salsa, Guacamole, Sour Cream |
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What You'll Learn
Traditional Mexican cheeses
Quesadillas are a traditional Mexican dish, with corn or flour tortillas and melted cheese. In Mexico, quesadillas are typically made with a blend of Mexican cheeses.
There are several types of traditional Mexican cheeses that are commonly used in quesadillas. These include:
Queso Asadero
Queso Asadero is a soft, white, creamy, and mild-tasting Mexican cheese. It is known for its ability to melt well, making it a perfect addition to quesadillas. It is often used in pizzas, quesadillas, and queso fundido.
Oaxaca Cheese
Oaxaca cheese, also known as Quesillo, is a stringy and semi-soft cheese that originated in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a delicate milky flavour. It is a popular choice for quesadillas due to its excellent melting properties.
Queso Fresco
Queso Fresco, meaning "fresh cheese" in Spanish, is a mild, crumbly, white cheese. It is often used in Mexican cuisine and can be made from raw cow's milk or a combination of goat and cow milk. While it is not as commonly used in quesadillas as the previous two cheeses, it can add a nice salty flavour.
Cotija Cheese
Cotija cheese is a white, crumbly variety of Mexican cheese with a similar flavour and texture to feta. It is one of the most commonly used cheeses in Mexico and can be found in various recipes such as enchiladas, tacos, beans, salads, and soups. However, it is not commonly used in quesadillas as it does not melt well.
In addition to these traditional Mexican cheeses, other types of cheese that melt well, such as Monterey Jack, Cheddar, and Mozzarella, are also commonly used in quesadillas.
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Popular alternatives
Quesadillas are a Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla filled with cheese and sometimes meats, spices, and other fillings. While Oaxaca (or string) cheese is the most common filling, there are several other types of cheese that can be used in quesadillas.
Monterey Jack is a popular alternative for quesadillas and is readily available in grocery stores. It is a good melting cheese and can be mixed with other cheeses like cheddar and pepper jack.
Quesadilla cheese is a Mexican cheese with a creamy, smooth-melting texture and a mild flavour. It is a blend of different Mexican cheeses and is an excellent choice for quesadillas.
Asadero is a traditional Mexican cheese that is creamy and melts well. It is often used in quesadillas and can be found in Hispanic grocery stores or large U.S. supermarkets.
Chihuahua cheese is another traditional Mexican cheese that is similar to Oaxaca cheese in terms of texture and melting properties. It is a good melting cheese and can be found in Hispanic grocery stores.
Mozzarella is a good option for those who prefer a mild flavour and stretchy texture. It melts well and can add a luxurious stretch to your quesadilla.
Queso fresco is a mild, crumbly white cheese often used in quesadillas. It is saltier than other cheeses and adds a unique texture to the dish.
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Grating your own cheese
If you're grating your own cheese, you'll want to use a block of Monterey Jack, cheddar, or Colby Jack. You can also use mozzarella, but this cheese is softer, so it's best to put it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before grating to make it firmer. This will help to create independent, uniform shreds that melt smoothly and evenly. Other semi-hard cheeses like gouda and Swiss are also good options, but they should be partially frozen before grating to prevent them from becoming a paste. Aim for around 30 minutes in the freezer, as this will give the cheese the right texture without freezing it solid.
When you're ready to grate the cheese, use a box grater or a Microplane. You can also use a food processor if you have one, by attaching the shredding disc and slowly feeding the cheese through the feed tube. If you're grating by hand, place a piece of parchment paper under the grater to catch the cheese. This is more stable than using a bowl or plate, and you can simply slide the cheese off the paper when you're done.
Once you've grated your cheese, you're ready to start making your quesadillas. Heat a large skillet or frying pan to medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil or butter. Place your tortilla in the pan and flip it every 10 seconds or so until it's lightly browned. Then, add your grated cheese and any other fillings you like, such as meat, vegetables, or beans. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and wait for the cheese to melt. Once it's melted, use a spatula to flip one side of the quesadilla over, like an omelette. If the tortilla isn't browned yet, increase the heat and keep flipping it until it's toasted to your liking.
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Mexican cheese in the US
Quesadillas are a Mexican dish, typically featuring tortillas and Mexican cheeses, along with other fillings and flavours common in Mexican food. While there are many types of Mexican cheeses, only a few were available in the United States until recently. These included Cotija, sprinkled on top of certain dishes, and Oaxaca cheese, melted on tortillas. However, companies in the US are now recreating many of the fresh and aged cheeses from Mexico, with some even attempting to produce lesser-known varieties.
Quesadillas are traditionally made with a Mexican cheese blend. However, you can use any cheese that melts well. Monterey Jack, cheddar, and mozzarella are popular choices. For a more authentic Mexican quesadilla, freshly grated cheese such as cheddar or Monterey Jack is a good option, as it makes the quesadilla nice and melty.
There are several types of Mexican cheeses that are great for melting and are therefore ideal for quesadillas. These include:
- Asadero or Queso Quesadilla: a traditional Mexican cheese that is creamy and melts beautifully.
- Oaxaca: a stringy and semi-soft Mexican cheese that originated in the region of Oaxaca, Mexico. It has a smooth, meltable texture and a delicate, milky flavour.
- Manchego: a Mexican version of the Spanish cheese, made with cow's milk or a combination of cow's and goat's milk. It is light yellow in colour and easy to shred and melt.
- Chihuahua: a firm, light yellow, aged cheese with a strong flavour. It is comparable in sharpness to American cheddar and is easy to melt.
- Queso Fresco: a mild, crumbly white cheese that is often used in quesadillas.
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Other ingredients
Quesadillas are incredibly versatile and can be filled with a wide variety of ingredients. In addition to cheese, you can put practically anything in a quesadilla.
Protein sources such as cooked chicken, grilled steak, beef, diced ham, fresh chorizo, or crumbled bacon can add substance and protein to your quesadilla. Vegetarians can opt for a veggie filling with beans, such as black or pinto beans, or fried tacos for that extra crunch.
Vegetable options include sautéed onions, bell peppers, green onions, mushrooms, spinach, fresh tomatoes, or corn. You can cook the veggies until soft, or not cook them at all, depending on your preference.
For a more authentic Mexican flavour, you can use a blend of Mexican cheeses, including quesadilla cheese, a creamy, smooth-melting cheese with a mild flavour. Other Mexican cheeses that melt well include Asadero, Oaxaca, and Chihuahua. For a saltier option, you can choose Queso Fresco, a mild, crumbly white cheese.
Monterey Jack is also a popular choice, as it has excellent melting qualities and a good flavour. Cheddar, Colby Jack, mozzarella, and provolone are other cheeses that work well.
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Frequently asked questions
Traditionally, quesadillas are made with a Mexican cheese blend. However, you can use any cheese that melts well. Monterey Jack, cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, Oaxaca (quesillo), Chihuahua, Asadero, and Quesadilla are popular choices.
In central and southern regions of Mexico, quesadillas are typically filled with Oaxaca cheese, a stringy Mexican cheese made by the pasta filata (stretched-curd) method. In other regions of Mexico, quesadillas are made with Chihuahua cheese or queso menonita, a local cheese made by the Mennonites.
Apart from the cheeses mentioned above, some variations of vegetarian quesadillas use goat cheese, tofu, and various vegetables.
Sweet or dessert quesadillas are made using ingredients such as chocolate, butterscotch, caramel, and different fruits. Therefore, they do not contain cheese.
