1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Shrimp Quesadillas

Shrimp Quesadillas

Featured in Family Dinner Ideas.

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.

Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Fatiha
Updated on Fri, 02 May 2025 12:23:22 GMT
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

Whip up these mouthwatering Shrimp Quesadillas whenever you're craving something speedy and enjoyable. Combine zesty shrimp with tender onions, bell peppers, garlic, and gooey cheese all wrapped in crispy tortillas. They come together quickly and always hit the spot with family and friends.

Benefits of These Quesadillas

Shrimp fans will definitely want to try these. They're ready in under 20 minutes and only dirty one pan. The combo of sautéed veggies, juicy shrimp, and gooey cheese creates amazing flavor. Pair them with guacamole or salsa, and don't worry about leftovers - they reheat beautifully. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers.

Ingredients List

  • Shrimp: Mid-sized, cleaned and peeled
  • Olive Oil: For sautéing
  • Onion: Finely diced
  • Bell Pepper: Choose your favorite color
  • Garlic: Freshly minced works best
  • Taco Seasoning: For that kick
  • Cheese: Pick a good melting variety
  • Tortillas: Standard flour type

How To Make Shrimp Quesadillas

Sauté the Vegetables:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your diced onions, peppers, and garlic. Sauté them until slightly soft, about a minute.
Cook the Shrimp:
Add shrimp and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Cook until they turn pink, roughly two minutes while stirring.
Prepare the Pan:
Transfer shrimp mixture to a bowl. Wipe your pan and return to heat. Brush with a bit of oil to prevent sticking.
Assemble Your Quesadillas:
Place a tortilla in the pan. Sprinkle cheese on one half, add some shrimp mixture, top with more cheese, then fold over.
Brown the Tortillas:
Cook for about two minutes per side until they're golden and the cheese has melted nicely.
Ready to Eat:
Slice into triangles and serve alongside sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for dipping.

What Makes Them Special

These aren't your average quesadillas. The combo of seasoned shrimp and melted cheese creates something truly tasty. You'll love how the veggies keep some snap while the outside gets perfectly crisp. Even picky eaters who typically avoid seafood can't resist these.

Fast Preparation

Dinner can be on the table in just 20 minutes. Shrimp doesn't take long to cook, and using just one pan means you won't spend ages cleaning up. They're just what you need when you're busy but still want something tasty. Simply prep, cook, and enjoy.

Perfect Accompaniments

Set up small dishes of guacamole, sour cream, and salsa for everyone to customize their meal. Try mixing some fresh cilantro into sour cream for extra flavor. Any extras can go in the fridge and be reheated in a skillet later - they'll crisp up nicely and the cheese will melt wonderfully again.

Customize Your Creation

These work wonderfully any time of day - breakfast, lunch, or cut smaller for appetizers. Toss in some corn for sweetness or jalapeños if you want more heat. Try different cheese blends or toss in whatever veggies you have on hand. They turn out delicious no matter how you tweak the fillings.

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

Handy Suggestions

Watch your cooking time so the shrimp stays tender. Keep your pan at medium heat or the tortillas will burn before cheese melts properly. Pop finished quesadillas in a warm oven while making the rest. A pizza cutter works better than a knife for getting clean slices.

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: ~