1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Shrimp Quesadillas

Hot Shrimp Cheese Wraps

Season those shrimp good with garlic and lime, chop them up into bite-size pieces. Get your pan nice and hot while you set up your wraps. Layer cheese on one half - use the melty kind, fresh grated works best. Spread those seasoned shrimp on top, maybe add some fresh herbs if you got em. Fold the wrap over gentle, press it down a bit. Cook it slow on medium heat till it gets golden and crispy, bout 3 minutes each side. Watch it don't burn - you want that cheese all melty inside. Cut em in triangles while they're hot. Makes great quick dinner or party food, and you can dress em up with all kinds of toppings - sour cream, fresh salsa, even mashed avocado. Takes bout 20 minutes start to finish if you're quick about it.

Featured in Family Dinner Ideas.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:25:23 GMT
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
Two shrimp-filled quesadillas are stacked on a plate, garnished with a sprig of cilantro. Pin it
Two shrimp-filled quesadillas are stacked on a plate, garnished with a sprig of cilantro. | zestplate.com

Make these tasty Shrimp Quesadillas when you want something quick and fun. Mix spicy shrimp with soft onions, peppers, garlic, and lots of melty cheese inside crispy tortillas. They're fast to make and everyone loves them.

Why Make These Quesadillas

If you like shrimp, you'll love these. They take less than 20 minutes to make and you only need one pan. The mix of cooked veggies, tender shrimp, and melted cheese tastes amazing. Serve them with salsa or guacamole, and save some for later - they heat up great. Good for a quick dinner or when friends come over.

What You Need

  • Shrimp: Medium size, peeled and cleaned
  • Olive Oil: For cooking
  • Onion: Chopped up small
  • Bell Pepper: Any color works
  • Garlic: Fresh tastes best
  • Taco Seasoning: Adds spice
  • Cheese: One that melts good
  • Tortillas: Regular flour ones

How to Make Them

Cook Veggies First:
Put oil in a big pan over medium heat. Throw in your chopped onions, peppers, and garlic. Cook them for about a minute until soft.
Add Shrimp:
Toss in shrimp and taco seasoning. Stir and cook until shrimp turn pink - takes about two minutes.
Clean Pan:
Put shrimp mix in a bowl. Wipe pan clean and put back on heat. Add a little oil so tortillas don't stick.
Build Quesadillas:
Put a tortilla in the pan. Cover half with cheese, add some shrimp mix, then more cheese. Fold tortilla over.
Make Them Crispy:
Cook about two minutes each side until golden brown and cheese melts.
Serve Hot:
Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for dipping.

Why They're So Good

These aren't just regular quesadillas. The spicy shrimp and melty cheese make every bite special. The veggies stay a little crunchy, and the tortillas get nice and crispy. Even kids who don't usually like seafood love these.

Quick to Make

You can have dinner ready in 20 minutes. The shrimp cooks fast, and everything goes in one pan so cleanup is easy. Perfect when you're tired but want something good for dinner. Just chop, cook, and eat.

What to Serve With Them

Put out bowls of sour cream, salsa, and guacamole so everyone can pick what they like. Mix sour cream with chopped cilantro for something different. Save leftovers in the fridge and heat them in a pan later - they get crispy again and the cheese melts just right.

Make Them Your Way

These work for any meal - lunch, dinner, or cut small for snacks. Add jalapeños if you like it spicy, or corn if you want them sweeter. Change up the cheese or add different veggies. They always turn out good no matter what you put inside.

A close-up of three shrimp quesadillas filled with melted cheese and diced tomatoes, served on a dark plate. Pin it
A close-up of three shrimp quesadillas filled with melted cheese and diced tomatoes, served on a dark plate. | zestplate.com

Quick Tips

Don't overcook the shrimp or they get tough. Make sure pan isn't too hot or tortillas burn before cheese melts. Keep filled quesadillas warm in the oven while you make more. Cut them with a pizza cutter - it's easier than a knife.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Making em early?

Fix filling first. Keep it cold wrapped. Build fresh when hot. Warm up quick. Best right off pan.

→ What cheese works?

Melty kinds work best. Mix kinds for kick. Fresh grate works good. Mexican blend's nice. Just not too wet.

→ Need more heat?

Add hot peppers in. Hot sauce works good. Spicy cheese helps. Even red pepper. Start slow though.

→ Got special diet?

Rice wraps work fine. Check your cheese too. Corn ones taste good. Watch they don't break. Still get crispy.

→ What goes with em?

Sour cream's nice. Fresh salsa works. Mashed green dip. Lime adds zip. Even hot sauce.

→ Getting too wet?

Drain shrimp good. Pat stuff dry first. Don't overfill em. Watch the heat. Flip careful like.

→ Taking em places?

Keep em wrapped tight. Warm up there quick. Pack sides cold. Take extra stuff. Maybe bring backup.

→ Need em fast?

Buy cooked shrimp. Have cheese ready. Quick pan heat. Skip extra stuff. Still taste good.

→ Making big batch?

Work in groups. Keep first ones warm. Have extra wraps. Watch pan heat. Don't rush em.

→ Want more taste?

Add fresh garlic. Try some lime juice. Mix in herbs. Season shrimp good. Even onions work.

→ Not getting crispy?

Heat pan more. Less stuff inside. Press em down some. Watch they don't burn. Keep moving em.

→ Breaking when fold?

Warm wraps first. Don't fill too much. Fold gentle like. Fresh ones bend good. Watch the edges.

Conclusion

Like these? Try shrimp tacos next. Same good stuff, fresh way to eat.

Shrimp Quesadillas

Fast crispy shrimp wraps.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Mexican

Yield: 8 Servings (6-8 quesadillas)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined.
02 1 tablespoon olive oil.
03 1/2 cup onion, chopped.
04 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped.
05 2 cloves garlic, minced.
06 2 tablespoons taco seasoning or 1 tablespoon chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, paprika, ground cumin, salt, black pepper.
07 1-2 cups melting cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, Mexican blend, or Monterey Jack).
08 6-8 medium flour tortillas.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for about 1 minute, or until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.

Step 02

Add the shrimp and the taco seasoning to the pan. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp begin to turn pink and are cooked through.

Step 03

Transfer the shrimp and vegetable mixture to a bowl. Clean the skillet with a paper towel and return it to the heat. Coat the pan lightly with cooking spray or about 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil.

Step 04

Place a tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle cheese generously on one half of the tortilla, then spoon about 5-6 shrimp (or enough to cover) on the cheese. Add another layer of cheese on top and fold the tortilla in half.

Step 05

Cook the quesadilla for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is golden and crispy, and the cheese has melted through. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

Step 06

Serve the quesadillas hot with sides of sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for dipping.

Notes

  1. For a spicier quesadilla, add a dash of hot sauce or sliced jalapeños to the shrimp mixture.
  2. You can use whole wheat tortillas as a healthier option.
  3. Quesadillas can also be made in advance and reheated in the oven for quick meals.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet or pan.
  • Spatula.
  • Bowl.
  • Paper towel.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Shellfish.
  • Dairy.
  • Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~