Easy Cheese Quesadilla Recipe (Kid-Friendly!)

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One of our fave recipes to cook up any time of year are quesadillas, and this easy cheese quesadilla recipe is such a great base for lots of different types. Plus, it doesn’t get much more kid-friendly then cheese and tortilla.

When you have young kids, you know that some days get away from you. The last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time creating a meal that they will end up deciding they don’t want to eat.

I’ve loved making quesadillas for years because of how quick and easy they are. I was shocked to hear from a friend that she makes them in the microwave because every time she’s tried them on the stove they turn out too brown for the kids to eat.

Enter this easy cheese quesadilla recipe. With only a couple simple ingredients and a few minutes, you can have a delicious, golden-brown quesadilla with the perfect ooey gooey melty cheese you’ve been dreaming of!

plate of cheese quesadillas

How to Make a Simple and Easy Cheese Quesadilla

Our family loves easy recipes, and this is my favorite quesadilla recipe to use when I’m making something super kid-friendly.

This is NOT meant to be an authentic Mexican recipe, but it is one of the easiest recipes to whip up.

To make this easy cheese quesadilla recipe, you only need a few ingredients:

Flour Tortillas

Shredded Cheese

Mayonnaise

You will also need a nonstick skillet

Now before you say anything, I know: mayo isn’t what you think of when you make a quesadilla, but it’s my secret for the perfect golden brown tortillas every single time. The mayo keeps the tortillas from drying out while also crisping up slowly.

I am not the biggest fan of mayonnaise, but a friend suggested I start making grilled cheese using it instead of butter on my bread, it was INCREDIBLE. So, I decided to try it with quesadillas too and it was such an easy change that made a big difference.

No mayo (or just really don’t want to try it)? You can absolutely use melted butter in the pan instead, or even olive oil if that’s all you have.

For this recipe I recommend using a mild cheddar cheese for these classic cheese quesadillas, but you can really use whatever shredded cheese your children like and prefer. We’ve mixed it up and tried monterey jack cheese, mozzarella cheese (add pepperoni for pizza quesadillas!) and a shredded mexican cheese blend from the grocery store.

The beauty of this easy cheese quesadilla recipe is that it’s very basic: you can make additions, substitutions or your own creations easily.

If your child like more than just cheese, I also recommend adding a little diced onions and finely chopped green peppers as a good starter. Really, nearly any veggie tastes great as an added ingredient!

This recipe is great sprinkled with a little finely chopped fresh cilantro and served with sour cream, guacamole and salsa for dipping. I also like to make one small quesadilla and serve it with other finger foods for my kids, like air fryer corn dogs.

You can also use corn tortillas instead of flour. Just keep in mind that these will cook differently, so you’ll want to check on the quesadillas frequently to ensure they don’t burn.

plate of cheese quesadillas

Cheese Quesadilla Recipe Steps

Creating a simple cheese quesadilla is quick and easy!

Start by lightly coating one side of each of the uncooked tortillas with mayonnaise. Place one tortilla mayo side down on a plate or cutting board. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the entire tortilla, leaving about half an inch around the edge uncovered.

If desired, add the diced veggies next, then top with the other tortilla, leaving the mayo side of the tortilla facing up. 

Preheat a non-stick large skillet to medium-low heat and gently transfer the assembled quesadilla from the plate to the preheated pan. Place tortilla down in the same way it was on your plate (mayo-side down). Cover the pan with a lid.

Allow your quesadilla to cook for 2-5 minutes over medium-low heat. Once the bottom browns and the cheese has mostly melted, flip the quesadilla over. If you’re concerned about air pockets, you can gently press down on your quesadilla while it cooks with a spatula.

Cover it again with the lid, and allow it to cook for another 2-5 minutes until both sides are nicely browned and the cheese is fully melted.

Remove from the pan, cut using a knife or pizza cutter and let cool slightly before serving it to your kids. This cheese quesadilla recipe tastes great served with sour cream, guacamole and salsa.

Leftovers? Place quesadillas in an air-tight container or wrap in plastic wrap to keep the slices fresh. Homemade quesadillas make great leftovers! Just pop in the microwave for a few seconds to lightly melt the cheese again.

Additional Fillings for Quesadillas

Want to make this recipe even more special? Add more fillings! This easy cheese quesadilla recipe is a GREAT starting point for customizing. Here are some ideas:

  • Traditional veggies like black beans, corn, jalapeños, mushrooms, spinach and green onions
  • Leftover shredded chicken
  • Love goat cheese? Try adding a little mixed with some leftover shredded pork and green tomatillo salsa!

Love easy family-friendly recipes? You might also like these:

Mexican Crockpot Shredded Chicken

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Easy Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches

Food And Meal Ideas For 1 Year Olds And Toddlers

cheese quesadillas on a plate

Kid-Friendly Easy Cheese Quesadilla Recipe

Yield: 1 quesadilla

One of our fave recipes to cook up any time of year are quesadillas, and this easy cheese quesadilla recipe is such a great base for lots of different types. Plus, it doesn't get much more kid-friendly then cheese and tortilla.

Ingredients

  • 2 Large Flour Tortillas
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp Finely Chopped Onions (optional, depending on your child)
  • 1 Tbsp Green Pepper, finely chopped (optional, depending on your child)
  • Sour Cream, Salsa & Guacamole for serving
  • Chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Lightly coat one side of each tortilla with mayonnaise. Place one tortilla mayo side down on a plate or cutting board. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the entire tortilla, leaving about half an inch around the edge uncovered.
  2. If desired, add the diced veggies, then top with the other tortilla, leaving the mayo side facing up. 
  3. Preheat a non-stick pan to medium-low heat. Add the butter and spread around, allowing it to melt.
  4. Gently transfer the assembled quesadilla from the plate to the preheated pan, placing it down in the same way it was on your plate. Cover the pan with a lid.
  5. Allow your quesadilla to cook for 2-5 minutes over medium-low heat. Once the bottom browns and the cheese has mostly melted, flip the quesadilla over. Cover it again with the lid, and allow it to cook for another 2-5 minutes until both sides are nicely browned and the cheese is fully melted.
  6. Remove from the pan, cut and serve with sour cream, guacamole and salsa.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 431Total Fat: 15gCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 12g

Did you make this recipe?

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A Classic Cheese Quesadilla is a Family Favorite

I hope you and your family enjoy these quick quesadillas. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and simple lunches any day of the week.

This easy quesadilla recipe is so simple to customize too, and gives you the basic recipe base you need to make changes.

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