Classic Mexican Cheese Fold (Printable)

Folded tortillas filled with melted cheese and savory vegetables or chicken, pan-toasted until golden.

# What you'll need:

→ Tortillas

01 - 4 large flour tortillas

→ Cheese

02 - 7 ounces shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)

→ Optional Fillings

03 - 5 ounces cooked chicken breast, shredded (optional)
04 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small zucchini, diced
06 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

→ Seasoning

08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
10 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Cooking

11 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter

# How-To Steps:

01 - If using chicken and vegetables, heat oil in a skillet, sauté diced vegetables for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add shredded chicken, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and warm through. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Lay one tortilla flat. Sprinkle with half an ounce of cheese (about one-quarter of total cheese), add filling mixture and a sprinkle of cilantro, then top with another half ounce of cheese. Fold tortilla in half to enclose filling.
03 - Heat half a tablespoon of oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place folded quesadilla in skillet and cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
04 - Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve hot. Accompany with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under twenty minutes, even on your most chaotic evenings.
  • The contrast between the crispy tortilla and the gooey melted cheese is pure comfort.
  • You can fill it with whatever you have on hand, from leftover chicken to random vegetables in the crisper drawer.
02 -
  • Dont crank the heat too high or the outside will burn before the cheese melts, trust me, medium heat is your friend here.
  • If your tortilla starts to puff up while cooking, gently press it down with the spatula to keep everything compact and even.
03 -
  • Always layer cheese on both the bottom and top of your filling, it acts like glue and keeps everything from sliding out.
  • If youre making multiple quesadillas, keep the finished ones warm in a low oven while you cook the rest so everyone eats at the same time.
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