Calling all shrimp lovers! These DELICIOUS shrimp quesadillas are a must try. We’ve made them countless time and will continue to make them forever. They’re super quick and easy to make, packed with flavor and highlight shrimp in a festive and spicy way.
It’s all made in one pan in under 20 minutes tops. First the onions, bell peppers, and garlic are sauteed for a just a minute. Next, the shrimp and seasoning is added and cooked for just another minute or two (side note, shrimp cooks in literally minutes, which is why I LOVE cooking it).
Now, all that’s left is to add some shrimp mixture in a tortilla, top with cheese, and toast until crispy. The outcome is crispy quesadillas filled with cheesy shrimp and a mouth-watering flavor combo that is out of this world!
Serve the quesadillas with sour-cream, your favorite salsa or guacamole. I served them with my cilantro sour-cream sauce. They store very well in the fridge and can be re-heated in a pan to melt the cheese and crisp the tortilla.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 1/2 bell pepper, sliced
- 1/4 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt, to taste - 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature, divided
- 2 10-inch flour tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instruction
- Shrimp Quesadilla ingredients in bowls
In a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onion and bell pepper and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 6 minutes. - Onions and peppers in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon
Add the shrimp, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and salt to taste. Cook until the shrimp are pink and opaque, about 4 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside. - Onions, peppers and shrimp in a skillet
Wipe down the skillet and return it to the heat, or use a separate skillet if needed. Add 1 tablespoon butter and allow it to melt but not brown. - Butter in a cast iron skillet
Add the tortilla to the pan and sprinkle about half the cheese on top of the tortilla, then top with the shrimp mixture and add the remaining cheese. - Tortilla, cheese and shrimp mixture in a skillet
Top with the second tortilla. Spread the remaining tablespoon butter on top. Cook until the bottom is golden brown and crisp, about 3 minutes. - Quesadilla topped with another tortilla and butter, in a skillet
Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook until brown and crisp on the other side and the cheese is melted, about 3 more minutes. Lower the heat if the tortilla is getting too dark before the cheese is fully melted. - Shrimp Quesadilla cooking in a skillet
Transfer to a cutting board and slice into wedges using a large knife or a pizza cutter. Serve hot with your choice of toppings or sauces for dipping.