Quick, easy, and full of flavor, these Smoked Sausage Quesadillas are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner or even an afternoon snack.
Easy quesadilla
Quesadillas have been a staple in my kitchen for as long as I can remember. I started making them when I was a kid. All it took was a tortilla, some cheese, and a hot pan on the stove to make them golden and crisp.
When my kids were growing up, we often made quesadillas too. They were a quick and easy meal that everyone loved. Over the years, I added more ingredients to the quesadilla depending on what was in the fridge.
This version with smoked sausage was always a hit. It's hearty, cheesy, and full of flavor. Whether it was lunch, dinner, or an after-school snack, quesadillas were a reliable favorite at our house.
Another delicious quesadilla to make is this steak quesadilla.
Ingredients for quesadilla
- Smoked Sausage - I like to use cheesy smoked sausages with jalapeno peppers. If you don't like the spice, use cheese sausages or plain smoked beef sausages. We also use our wild game smokies.
- Cheese - My favorite is pepper Jack cheese. You could also use Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese.
- Tortillas - Flour tortillas work best for a quesadilla. Eight-inch works well, but any size can be used.
Making a quesadilla
- Butter one side of tortillas. Place one tortilla on a surface with the buttered side down.
- Add shredded cheese and sliced smokies.
- Place the second tortilla on top with the buttered side up.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes on a heated skillet until the bottom is golden brown.
- Flip and cook the other side until golden brown, and the cheese is fully melted and the sausage heated through.
- Slice quesadilla into wedges and serve.
- Eat while hot or warm.
Tips for making a great quesadilla
- Heat your pan low and slow. If it's too hot, your tortilla will become too dark before the filling has had a chance to heat up.
- Don’t overfill. It’s tempting to load it up, but too much filling can make it hard to flip and cause everything to spill out.
- Flip carefully. When ready to flip, slide a spatula under the quesadilla and place your fingertips on top to help hold it in place.
- Allow it to rest. Let the quesadilla sit for a minute before slicing. This helps keep the cheese from oozing everywhere.
- Shred your own cheese. Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.
- Adjust the recipe as needed. Make as many quesadillas as you need to feed your crew.
Tip
- Use a pizza cutter to slice the quesadilla into wedges.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Smoked Sausage Quesadilla
Equipment
- Grater
Ingredients
- 2 Smoked Sausages (Jalapeno and cheese or your favorite variety)
- 4 flour tortillas (8-inch)
- 1 cup pepper Jack cheese (shredded)
- 1 tablespoon butter (softened)
Instructions
- Slice sausages into pieces.2 Smoked Sausages
- Butter one side of tortillas.4 flour tortillas, 1 tablespoon butter
- Start with one tortilla with the buttered side down. Place a handful of shredded cheese on top. Place sliced sausages on top of the cheese. Place an additional tortilla on top with the buttered side facing up.2 Smoked Sausages, 1 cup pepper Jack cheese
- Place on a preheated skillet on medium-low heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, flipping quesadilla over when the bottom has become golden.
- Remove from pan when both tortillas are golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and the sausages are hot.
- Slice into wedges and enjoy!
- Repeat with remaining quesadilla.
Notes
- Heat your pan low and slow. If it's too hot, your tortilla will become too dark before the filling has had a chance to heat up.
- Don’t overfill. It’s tempting to load it up, but too much filling can make it hard to flip and cause everything to spill out.
- Flip carefully. When ready to flip, slide a spatula under the quesadilla and place your fingertips on top to help hold it in place.
- Allow it to rest. Let the quesadilla sit for a minute before slicing. This helps keep the cheese from oozing everywhere.
- Shred your own cheese. Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.
- Adjust the recipe as needed. Make as many quesadillas as you need to feed your crew.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
annie@ciaochowbambina says
YUM! These smoked sausages are definitely something great to keep on hand! And this quesadilla looks sooo good!!
Kathy says
Thanks, Annie!
David @ Spiced says
I absolutely love smoked sausage, and we always try to keep at least one pack in the freezer! I'll have to keep an eye out for Eckrich next time I'm in the store. And quesadillas? Well they just happen to be one of our favorite go-to meals when we don't have any leftovers around. The jalapeno cheddar sausage in a quesadilla sounds excellent! Oh, and green onions or chives have become one of our favorite add-ins for quesadillas. Mmmm...now I want smoked sausage 'dillas for dinner tonight!
Kathy says
Oh! I love the idea of adding green onions or chives! Excellent suggestion!!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Love quesadillas and we regularly enjoy at home, but have yet to make with sausage! Gotta try that next time! They look SO good 🙂
Kathy says
They are so quick, easy and delicious!
Nicoletta Sugarlovespices says
These quesadillas look so so tasty! Loreto would love to bite into them! Great ingredients in the sausages, they make a perfect lunch or dinner option, quick and delicious.
Kathy says
Sometimes quick meals are just what we need!
Fred G says
Sounds great. We'll give 'em a try.
Kathy says
Perfect! Let me know how you like them.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Love these quesadillas Kathy! And these sausages look like they'd be a total hit at our house! Perfect for backyard bbq's too!
Kathy says
The sausages are equally delicious in these quesadillas or eaten by themselves!