Easy Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe
This quick, easy, and fun Shrimp Quesadilla recipe is great for any night, especially busy weeknights. It features tender shrimp and plenty of melty shredded cheese – so you know it’s a winner!
Why We Love This Easy Recipe
Quesadillas are a go-to dinner staple in our house… They’re super fast and easy to make in one pan, and are fantastic to customize with whatever ingredients you have on hand. Plus, everyone gets their own handheld perfect portion! Who doesn’t love that?
This irresistible Shrimp Quesadilla recipe is an easy midweek dinner made with America’s favorite seafood. Just load a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients (including cheese, of course, because that’s what makes it a quesadilla) between two tortillas and cook it to golden in a skillet. In mere minutes you have a slightly crispy, ooey-gooey delicious main dish ready to enjoy with your favorite sides.
Ingredients Needed
- Butter – unsalted (or olive oil)
- Raw shrimp – peeled and deveined
- Ancho chili powder
- Garlic powder (or minced garlic cloves)
- Flour tortillas – taco size
- Shredded Mexican cheese blend (or mozzarella and cheddar cheese)
- Bell chopper – chopped
- Onion – chopped
- Cilantro – chopped
- Salt and pepper – to taste
How to Make Shrimp Quesadillas
Prep Tips: For raw shrimp with peels, take the time to peel and devein the shrimp. Rinse them with fresh water and then pat dry. (For pre-cleaned shrimp, just pat them dry.) If you bought small shrimp just leave them whole. If you purchased larger shrimp, it’s best to cut them into several large chunks.
Mix the shrimp with the ancho chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Toss to coat.
Set an 8 to 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place one tablespoon of butter in the skillet.
Add the chopped bell pepper and onions to the skillet. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
Then stir in the shrimp. Sauté the shrimp for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
Move the shrimp and vegetables to a holding plate. Then use a paper towel to wipe out the skillet.
Turn the heat to medium-low. Place 1/2 teaspoon of butter in the skillet. Once melted, place a tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle cheese on the tortilla, followed by an even layer of the shrimp mixture.
Sprinkle a little cheese on top.
Get the Complete (Printable) Easy Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Then add a bit of chopped fresh cilantro.
Cover with a second tortilla. Fry the tortilla for 1 to 3 minutes. Then carefully flip the quesadilla over and fry another 1 to 3 minutes, until golden on the outside and melted in the middle. Move the quesadilla to a cutting board. Then repeat with the remaining butter, tortillas, and fillings.
Pro Tip: If needed, set your oven to 200°F to act as a warmer. Then place a baking sheet in the oven to set the finished quesadillas on.
When ready to serve, cut the quesadillas in half or into quarters.
What to Serve with Quesadillas
Enjoy shrimp quesadillas warm with sides of salsa, sour cream, and/or guacamole.
For an even heartier meal serve alongside Spanish Rice or Arroz Amarillo, and Refried Beans or Mexican Pinto Beans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cheese is best for quesadillas?
Shredded Mexican blend is classic – which is a combination of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Asadero cheeses. But any melty and shred-able cheese works.
Can you put anything in a quesadilla?
Pretty much! Make this recipe with leftover cooked chicken, chorizo, or ground beef. Or leave out the meat entirely for a vegetarian quesadilla recipe.
Also, try adding in cumin, paprika, oregano, chipotle peppers, or jalapeno peppers to mix things up.
For another tasty version, try my Sweet and Tangy Chicken Quesadillas!
How long do leftover quesadillas last?
Shrimp quesadillas taste best when enjoyed fresh, but will keep well for a day or two. Once cooled, wrap the quesadillas individually in plastic or place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator.
Pro Tip: If you need to stack quesadillas, I recommend putting a piece of parchment paper in between.
How do you reheat leftover quesadillas?
Quickly reheat quesadillas one at a time in a hot skillet, on a baking sheet in the oven, or in an air fryer. Whichever method you choose, just a few minutes will do the trick!
Looking for More Easy Dinner Recipes?
- Easy Alambre Tacos with Carne Asada
- Lobster Tostadas
- Mexican Chicken Fried Rice
- How to Make Mexican Sopes
- Fancy Five Minute Nachos
Easy Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 12 ounces raw shrimp peeled and deveined, any size
- 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 12 flour tortillas taco size
- 2 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- ¾ cup chopped bell pepper any color
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- For raw shrimp with peels, take the time to peel and devein the shrimp. Rinse them with fresh water and then pat dry. (For pre-cleaned shrimp, just pat them dry.) If you bought small shrimp just leave them whole. If you purchased larger shrimp, it’s best to cut them into several large chunks.
- Mix the shrimp with the ancho chili powder, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and a 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Toss to coat.
- Set an 8 to 10 inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place one tablespoon of butter in the skillet.
- Add the chopped bell pepper and onions to the skillet. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Then stir in the shrimp. Sauté the shrimp for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Move the shrimp and vegetables to a holding plate. Then use a paper towel to wipe out the skillet.
- Turn the heat to medium low. Place 1/2 teaspoon of butter in the skillet. Once melted, place a tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle cheese on the tortilla, followed by an even layer of the shrimp and vegetable mixture. Sprinkle a little cheese on top followed by fresh cilantro. Cover with a second tortilla. Fry the tortilla for 1 to 3 minutes. Then carefully flip the quesadilla over and fry another 1 to 3 minutes, until golden on the outside and melted in the middle. Move the quesadilla to a cutting board. Then repeat with the remaining butter, tortillas, and fillings.
- If needed, set your oven to 200°F to act as a warmer. Then place a baking sheet in the oven to set the finish quesadillas on. Cut the quesadillas in half, or into quarters. Serve the quesadillas warm with a side of salsa, sour cream, and/or guacamole.
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Notes
Nutrition
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Served these with some mango salsa and they were delicious! My shrimp loving daughter was in heaven. :)
This is a great recipe for a busy night. We’ll try with chorizo next!
This was perfect! Made it for lunch and it was so simple, love the shrimp and all of the flavors combined! So GOOD!