Have you ever made quesadillas, let them cool, then put them into the fridge or freezer for another day? You should do this. They are perfect for your Make-Ahead Lunch Box.
Now you’re thinking, why would I do that? Quesadillas are already my easy go-to meal to make on the fly. How would it help to make them ahead of time?
Come closer. I have something to tell you. If you make quesadillas ahead of time, then they will already be made when you want to serve or eat them. <— It has taken years of research, trial, and error to arrive at wise and knowledgeable comments such as these.
Okay fine. I just figured it out last week. It should have been obvious to me long ago, but I thought melty cheese should always be warm. Yes, somehow I forgot cold pizza was a food group for some people. Who knew cold quesadillas were also good? And if you don’t want to eat them cold, but instead want them warm again, simply warm them up at serving time. <—- Again, the brilliance of advice read here must continue to amaze you.
Now, the best part about a quesadilla is that you can fill them with whatever you like. Cheese, obviously. But what about varieties of meat and/or veggies? Taco Quesadillas are my current favorite, dipped in a small bowl of fresh salsa. I will tell you from experience that these taste great warm or cold. Warm would be my top choice, but we threw a bunch of cold ones into a bag to take to a soccer game recently and they were delicious. This means you can make these ahead of time and throw them in your lunch box for work or school. Perfect!
Taco Quesadillas
Your favorite tortillas (we like my homemade whole wheat tortillas)
Shredded cheese (my fav is Colby jack or white cheddar)
Leftover cooked taco meat
Salsa
Place a tortilla in a skillet and top with shredded cheese and cooked meat. Top with an additional tortilla. (I do feel a little bit silly telling you how to make a quesadilla, as if you don’t know how to make a quesadilla. But hey, if you didn’t know before, now you do.) Cook on medium heat for about 2 minutes on each side until cheese has melted.
Watch to be sure tortillas don’t burn. <—- Breaking out one more time with more never-heard-before, ground breaking advice. You’re welcome.
I would love to hear how you like to fill your quesadillas and if you have ever tried eating them cold. What are your favorite meats and veggies used to fill tortillas?
Have any earth-shattering advice for us? Here’s one more nugget of wisdom from me, completely unrelated to quesadillas: When it is cold outside, you should wear a coat. Now, your turn.
Find all of our Make-Ahead Lunch Box recipes and ideas here.
Yum, yum! I totally need to do this. I was in such a rush to get to the kids’ co-op this morning that we had a totally eclectic (and way too processed) conglomeration of foods. Thanks for a fun idea to make next week’s lunch better. :)
Hey, it happens sometimes to all of us! Sometimes though, eclectic lunches are really fun, just because they are so weird. :)
Shredded carrot with cheese is a surprisingly delicious quesadillas. My daughter tried it on a whim one day, now we all love it.
Wow, what a fantastic idea. I would have never thought of adding carrots!
My husband is moving for a new job (YAY!) on October 1. I am staying behind to prep and sell our house. He’s close enough to get to come home on the weekends, so I’m planning to prepare LOTS of make-ahead meals for him to have on hand each week (he has access to a freezer and oven, and I want to keep him from having to eat out EVERY MEAL for the months it takes to get us back together…even though the company would pay for it).
So thankful I have your eBook on that very topic, and this idea will be added to the list as well. I started working on my “stash” last night with your Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole. One for supper and two for the freezer!
My earth-shattering advice is this: it is probably not a great idea to decide to pull your kids out of public school to start homeschooling as soon as you move when you also have to prep a house, sell a house, find a new house, move into a new house, and find a new church…and you have no idea where or how to even start looking for curriculum. It may be a touch overwhelming. ;) (but of course, I’m going to do it anyway because I’m crazy)
You WILL survive! Blessings on your huge transition(S). :)
This is a great idea! My favorite fillings in a quesadilla are sautéed veggies (mushrooms, shredded zucchini and/or carrots), Monterey Jack cheese and beans (black or pinto). To serve, I like to mix equal parts salsa and sour cream for dipping. Yum!
You read my mind, I was just going to suggest the salsa sour cream mix for dipping, though we use a little more salsa then sour cream, YUM!
Also, try adding a large minced onion to the taco meat while cooking, then add a can of drained and rinsed black beans at the end. Or just add some beans directly to the quesadilla. It bumps the fiber, helps stretch the meat and frankly tastes delicious.
Yes! I need to remember to add black beans more often. What a great way to stretch the meat. :)
Hi Laura,
We make these in the oven! We fill 1 tortilla and then fold it in half and put as many as we can fit on a baking sheet in the oven. 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes and the cheese starts oozing out!
There are 8 of us eating and it makes it quicker for us. :)
I will have to try using salsa for dipping! Yum.
Good idea, that would save a lot of stove-top time!
Another of our “wraps” are some that we call Lazy Dogs! We boil some hot dogs to plump them up, roll them up with some cheese in a tortilla and heat them up in the oven until the cheese melts!
Very good, even cold!
Trying this idea tonight!
Now I’m hungry… Gee thanks! ;)
I guess I’ll have to make some tortillas. Maybe I’ll make extra to take for a cold lunch at the fair this weekend!
You’re….welcome? ;) Have fun at the fair this weekend!
So… I made the quick cheesy quesadillas for lunch and everyone liked them, even my picky brothers. The downside is that I have to make another batch of tortillas for the fair because they ate the entire (double) batch I made today. Oh well, with my five brothers I ought to be used to that by now. :)
Oh, and my earth-shattering advice is to not get too engrossed in the dramatized version of C.S. Lewis’ Silver Chair while cooking tortillas. My youngest brother very helpfully observed that “Something smelled burnt.”
For those of you who have a George Foreman grill – it is the easiest way to make quesadillas ???? Love the taco meat idea – we usually use shredded chicken mixed with salsa.
Mmmm, shredded chicken is so good in these!
Thank you! I have quesadillas on my menu this week….I would never have thought to make them on the Foreman! :)
I make quesadillas with leftover chicken or chicken breast ,sweet onion minced-sauteed,mincedcarrot,mincedbroccoli, with cojack cheese That’s my fav combo with yogurt-cilantro dip If I don’t have those vegs Ill use zucchini,summersq, red or gr.peppers etc whatever I get out of the garden Thanks for the Great ideas always!!
Wow, I love all the veggie ideas you share here. Sounds so good!
Looks awesome….. I have got to say, your homemade tortillas look some uniform. I can not get mine to even resemble a circle….. Any tips?
Sometimes I just slap down the dough and start rolling, which results in funny looking tortillas. But if I take a couple seconds to make a little dough ball first, that helps make a nicer *almost* circle tortilla. I really, really need to make a tutorial video of how to make tortillas. It’s on my list. ;)
I love leftover chicken mixed with sour cream & chopped green chilies in my tortillas!
My earth-shattering advice- completely remove the lid of a can after using the can opener. If you leave it barely hanging, and accidently drop the can on top of your other hand, your finger can get sliced up pretty bad by the sharp hanging lid :).
Ohhhhh no. :( That sounds awful. Oh the things we do when we’re trying to “save time.”
I like to put caramelized onions and leftover boned chicken pieces, and cheese of course. I never would’ve thought of putting taco meat in there!! I will definitely try that!
Laura,
Black beans were mentioned as a meat-stretcher…have you ever tried lentil tacos? I occasionally use just lentils to make a taco lunch (just boil them until tender and use your taco seasoning) – even my kiddos like them. I know you gotta have your beef, though…. ;)
Earth shattering advice –
When cooking on the stove top, it’s best to turn on the eye that the pan is resting on.
If you don’t, your food stays raw, and your kitchen gets hot.
We make pizza quesadillas! Mozzarella cheese with whatever pizza toppings you like – we do pepperoni and black olive – and then dip in marinara sauce!! Perfect for littles who like to dip!
No joke. I was eating a quesadilla when I read your post. It was bacon and cheese. I also make cheese, grilled chicken, bacon, & ranch dressing. Pepperoni & mozzarella is a staple. I’m also thinking scrambled eggs, bacon, & cheese would be good. Can you tell our family likes bacon & cheese?
YUM! I love quesadillas but rarely make them. I’m giving all your ideas a try! I think my husband and sons would LOVE the breakfast idea, with scrambled eggs bacon (or sausage) and cheese.
We love quesadillas in my house! We sometimes use corn tortillas. I love chicken and veggies. But (for my somewhat picky son) I used to make them with homemade tortillas and peanut butter, or for a dessert add mini chocolate chips to the peanut butter! Yum!!
You didn’t even answer the most important question. To which I came here specifically to get an answer. And the question is. When storing them, do you do it before or after melting the cheese? Say if making them in advance.
I make them completely, melting the cheese, then let them cool and package them up so they’re ready to grab and go!