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The Ultimate 25-Minute Cheesy Shrimp Quesadilla

Four golden-brown quarters of a cheesy shrimp quesadilla, stuffed with pink shrimp and melted cheese.
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Fix that bland, broken promise of a recipe! This is the best shrimp quesadilla you will make, featuring tender, seasoned shrimp, perfectly melted cheese, and restaurant-style crispy tortillas. It is a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, cut into halves or thirds
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 8 large flour tortillas (burrito size recommended)
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped white or yellow onion
  • 1/4 cup water (for crisping tortillas)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the shrimp is pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
  2. Wipe the skillet clean. Place one tortilla in the skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of cheese over half of the tortilla surface. Top the cheese with one-eighth of the cooked shrimp and a sprinkle of chopped onion.
  3. Fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown.
  4. To achieve that restaurant-style crispness, lift the quesadilla slightly with a spatula. Pour 1 teaspoon of water directly onto the hot skillet surface next to the quesadilla, quickly cover the skillet with a lid for about 30 seconds. This steams the top slightly, helping the cheese melt completely.
  5. Remove the lid, cook for another minute until the bottom is deep golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
  6. Remove the first quesadilla and place it on a cutting board. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients, adding more oil if the pan looks dry between batches.
  7. Slice each quesadilla into wedges and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For an extra layer of flavor, mix 1 tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce into the cooked shrimp before assembling the quesadillas.
  • If you are making these ahead, assemble them completely but do not cook. Store them flat in the refrigerator for up to one day, then cook as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
  • Use high-quality, full-fat cheese for the best melt and texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorandpin.com/quick-shrimp-quesadilla-best-homemade/