Simple Pizza Quesadillas Recipe

Pizza quesadillas are a quick and easy dish that merges two popular comfort foods: pizza and quesadillas. This recipe is versatile, allowing you to use your favorite pizza toppings inside a crispy tortilla instead of traditional pizza dough. The result is a handheld meal that’s both fun to make and satisfying to eat.

These quesadillas are customizable—whether you love a classic pepperoni pizza, prefer a veggie-loaded pie, or want to experiment with unique flavor combinations, this dish has you covered. Plus, they can be made in just minutes, making them a great option for lunch, dinner, or even an after-school snack.

Equipment Needed

• Large Skillet or Non-Stick Pan: for cooking the quesadillas
• Spatula: for flipping the quesadillas
• Cheese Grater: for shredding the cheese
• Small Bowl and Spoon: for spreading the sauce
• Chopping Board and Knife: for preparing toppings

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

1. Grate the Cheese: Start by grating 2 cups of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. If you prefer a blend of cheeses, you can mix mozzarella with cheddar, provolone, or even gouda for a unique flavor twist.
2. Slice and Prepare the Toppings: Thinly slice your choice of toppings, such as pepperoni, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives. If using sausage, make sure it’s cooked and crumbled beforehand. Set these ingredients aside for easy assembly.
3. Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat and allow it to warm up while you prepare the quesadillas.

Step 2: Assemble the Quesadillas

1. Lay Out the Tortillas: Lay 4 tortillas flat on your counter or work surface. These will be the base of your pizza quesadillas.
2. Spread the Pizza Sauce: Spread 2-3 tablespoons of pizza sauce evenly over each tortilla. Be sure to leave a small border around the edges to prevent the sauce from spilling out during cooking.
3. Add the Cheese: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the pizza sauce. The cheese will act as the glue that holds the quesadilla together, so don’t be afraid to add plenty.
4. Add Your Favorite Toppings: Now it’s time to add your favorite pizza toppings. Place pepperoni slices, crumbled sausage, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or any other toppings you like on top of the cheese. Be careful not to overload the tortillas, as it may be harder to flip them later.
5. Top with Parmesan and Seasoning: Sprinkle a little grated Parmesan cheese on top, followed by a pinch of Italian seasoning and garlic powder for that classic pizza flavor.
6. Top with Another Tortilla: Place another tortilla on top of each assembled pizza quesadilla to form a “sandwich.” Press down gently to help the ingredients stick together.

Step 3: Cook the Quesadillas

1. Oil the Skillet: Add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil or butter to the hot skillet. Swirl it around to evenly coat the bottom of the pan.
2. Cook the Quesadilla: Carefully place one assembled quesadilla into the skillet. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side, until the bottom is golden brown and crispy. Use a spatula to press down on the quesadilla gently to ensure the cheese melts evenly.
3. Flip the Quesadilla: Once the first side is golden brown, carefully flip the quesadilla using a spatula. Cook the second side for an additional 2-3 minutes, until crispy and the cheese is fully melted.
4. Repeat for Remaining Quesadillas: Remove the cooked quesadilla from the skillet and place it on a cutting board to cool slightly. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining quesadillas, adding more oil or butter to the skillet as needed.

Step 4: Slice and Serve

1. Slice the Quesadillas: Once the quesadillas have cooled slightly, use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice them into quarters or smaller wedges, depending on your preference.
2. Garnish with Fresh Basil: For an extra pop of flavor and color, garnish your quesadilla slices with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley.
3. Serve with Dipping Sauce: Serve the pizza quesadillas hot with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping. You can also offer ranch dressing, garlic butter, or marinara sauce for dipping options.

Tips for Success

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Freshly shredded mozzarella cheese will melt better and create that irresistible cheesy pull. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting.
• Don’t Overstuff: While it’s tempting to pile on the toppings, too many fillings can make the quesadilla difficult to flip and cook evenly. Stick to a moderate amount of cheese and toppings to keep things manageable.
• Cook Over Medium Heat: Cooking over medium heat ensures that the quesadilla becomes crispy and golden without burning. It also allows the cheese to melt thoroughly before the tortilla becomes too browned.
• Make it Healthier: If you want a lighter version, try using whole wheat tortillas, turkey pepperoni, and low-fat mozzarella cheese. You can also load up on veggies for a more nutritious meal.
• Experiment with Toppings: Just like pizza, the possibilities are endless when it comes to toppings. Try adding cooked chicken, bacon, pineapple, spinach, artichokes, or even pesto for a creative twist.

Variations of Pizza Quesadillas

1. Margherita Pizza Quesadillas:

For a fresh and simple variation, use sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Add a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt before serving for that authentic Margherita pizza flavor.

2. BBQ Chicken Pizza Quesadillas:

Spread a layer of BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce and add cooked shredded chicken, red onions, and cheddar cheese. Garnish with cilantro for a smoky, tangy twist.

3. Veggie Lover’s Quesadilla:

For a vegetarian version, load your quesadilla with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, black olives, and spinach. You can even add some feta or goat cheese for extra creaminess.

4. Hawaiian Pizza Quesadilla:

Combine the sweetness of pineapple with the salty, savory flavors of ham and mozzarella cheese. This is a fun and tropical spin on the classic pizza quesadilla.

5. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla:

Use buffalo sauce in place of pizza sauce and add cooked chicken, blue cheese crumbles, and mozzarella. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

6. Pepperoni Supreme Quesadilla:

Add pepperoni, Italian sausage, black olives, green bell peppers, and onions for a fully loaded quesadilla that’s reminiscent of a supreme pizza.

Storage and Reheating

• Storage: Leftover pizza quesadillas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: To reheat, place the quesadilla slices in a hot skillet for a few minutes on each side to regain their crispiness. Alternatively, you can use an oven set to 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes or a microwave for 30 seconds (though the microwave will result in a softer texture).

Conclusion

This Simple Pizza Quesadillas Recipe is the ultimate comfort food that’s quick, easy, and endlessly customizable.

Yield: 4

Simple Pizza Quesadillas Recipe

Print

Pizza quesadillas are a quick and easy dish that merges two popular comfort foods: pizza and quesadillas. This recipe is versatile, allowing you to use your favorite pizza toppings inside a crispy tortilla instead of traditional pizza dough. The result is a handheld meal that’s both fun to make and satisfying to eat.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 flour tortillas (8-inch size)
• 1 cup pizza sauce (plus extra for dipping)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 20-24 pepperoni slices (or your preferred pizza toppings)
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• Olive oil or cooking spray for frying

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ingredients:
   Lay out 4 of the tortillas on a flat surface. Spread 2-3 tablespoons of pizza sauce evenly on each tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges.
   
2. Add Toppings:
   Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Add 5-6 slices of pepperoni to each tortilla (or use your favorite pizza toppings, like cooked sausage, mushrooms, or bell peppers).
   If desired, sprinkle a pinch of Italian seasoning and garlic powder over the toppings for extra pizza flavor.
   
3. Top with Another Tortilla:
   Place another tortilla on top of the cheese and toppings, pressing down gently to seal the quesadilla.
   
4. Cook the Quesadillas:
   Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease the surface with a drizzle of olive oil or cooking spray.
   Place one quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted.
   Repeat the process for the remaining quesadillas.
   
5. Serve:
   Remove the quesadillas from the skillet and let them cool for a minute before cutting each into quarters or halves. Serve with extra pizza sauce or marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Customize Your Quesadillas: Add your favorite pizza toppings like cooked sausage, diced veggies, olives, or even fresh basil for a Margherita-style pizza quesadilla.

Make it Healthier: Use whole wheat tortillas and low-fat mozzarella for a lighter version.

Dipping Sauces: In addition to pizza sauce, you can serve these with ranch dressing, garlic butter, or even spicy marinara for extra flavor.