PrintThe Ultimate Quick & Cheesy Shrimp Quesadilla: Restaurant Style in Under 30 Minutes
Make restaurant-quality shrimp quesadillas fast. This recipe uses simple seasoning and a technique for perfectly browned, crispy tortillas, delivering big flavor for a weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, cut into half-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper (any color)
- 8 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened (for cooking tortillas)
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the shrimp turns pink.
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 3 more minutes until the vegetables soften slightly. Remove the shrimp mixture from the heat and set aside.
- Assemble the quesadillas: Lay out four tortillas on a clean surface. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of cheese evenly over each of the four tortillas. Top the cheese with half of the shrimp and vegetable mixture. Place the remaining four tortillas on top of the filled tortillas, creating four double-layer quesadillas.
- Cook the quesadillas: Heat a large, dry skillet or griddle over medium heat. Spread about 1/2 tablespoon of softened butter on one side of a quesadilla. Place the buttered side down on the hot skillet.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt. While cooking, spread the remaining butter on the top tortilla.
- Flip the quesadilla carefully using a wide spatula. Cook the second side for another 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
- Remove from the skillet, slice into wedges, and serve immediately. Repeat with the remaining quesadillas.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of lime juice to the shrimp mixture after cooking.
- If you are planning meals for the week, this recipe pairs well with a simple side salad or black beans, making it a great component of your weekly meal planning.
- To achieve the best crispness, do not overcrowd the skillet when cooking the tortillas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 180