This easy Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe is perfect for a quick dinner, snack, or game day treat. They are super easy to make and done in less than 15 minutes.
I like to serve Shrimp Quesadillas with Mexican Rice and Pineapple Margaritas or Skinny Margaritas.
SHRIMP QUESADILLA RECIPE
Quesadillas and tacos are my go-to quick meals on busy weeknights. I’ve come up with a few Tex-Mex recipes that are faster than take-out. Plus, quesadillas, tacos, and nachos are a great way to use random leftovers in your fridge and pantry.
When serving quesadillas, it’s very simple to customize each one for different tastes.
You can use any cheese in quesadillas and they’ll be good. Even a combination of cheeses is good. Just note, allow the quesadilla to cool a few minutes after you remove it from the pan before you cut it. If you cut them while the cheese is still super hot, it’ll ooze right out of the quesadilla.
INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Shrimp – Any size, fresh or frozen, unshelled
- Peppers – Red, green, yellow, or orange bell peppers
- Onions – Whatever variety you have on hand
- Jalapenos – Fresh or pickled, sliced
- Seasonings – You can use fajita or taco seasoning instead of pepper, paprika, and cumin if you prefer.
You can also fill your shrimp quesadillas with
- Chicken – cooked breasts or thighs
- Corn – fresh, roasted or grilled corn will add wonderful flavor, but canned or frozen will be good too
- Black beans – adds flavor, fiber, and nutrients
- Cheese – cheddar, pepper jack, Tex Mex blend
- Salsa – I love salsa verde (‘the green salsa’) for the earthy flavor but you can use any salsa or a combination of both
Additional toppings you can use are
- Avocados
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Sriracha
While you’re here, check out these recipes
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary based on the products used.
I updated this post from an earlier version dated May 6, 2013. I made new photos and simplified the recipe instructions.
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Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe
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Save To Your Recipe BoxIngredients
- ½ pound shrimp peeled
- ¼ cup red pepper diced
- ¼ cup onion diced
- 1 cup Monterrey jack cheese shredded
- 1 Tablespoon jalapeno diced
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 2 Tablespoons roasted salsa verde
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cumin
- 4 10-inch flour tortillas
- 1 medium mango diced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Heat a saucepan to med-high.
- Add 1 Tablespoon of oil, when the oil is hot, add the red pepper, onion, and jalapeno. Add paprika, cumin, and black pepper. Saute' 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Add salsa verde and shrimp. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until shrimp are opaque and curl into a 'C'.
- Remove vegetables and shrimp from the pan. Add one flour tortilla to the pan. Top with 1/4 cup cheese, half the vegetable and shrimp mixture, and another 1/4 cup cheese. Top with one flour tortilla.
- Cook 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown and crisp. Flip to the second side and cook another 2 to 3 minutes until brown and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from pan, allow to cool, then slice into wedges.
- Serve topped with fresh mango, salsa verde, and cilantro. Serve
Nutrition
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Sabrina says
great quesadilla, why do I only ever use chicken if adding a protein other than cheese?, shrimp is great! Thank you!
Allyssa says
This is our new favorite! Thanks a lot for sharing this shrimp quesadilla recipe! Super easy to make! Loved it!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
I love easy meals ….. and ones that taste great 😉 I pinned this to my quick and easy meals board. Paula! We can’t wait to see what you share at tomorrow’s All My Bloggy Friends!
Christine says
I ALWAYS have these ingredients on hand.. and yet I have never put them together to make a quesadilla! SOOO going to try this recipe!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
Paula says
Thanks Christine. I love quesadillas, I’ll make one out of just about anything. Thanks for stopping by.
Peggy~PJH Designs says
This looks delicious Paula. I love shrimp quesadillas. Thanks so much for sharing at Transformed Tuesday.
Hugs,
Peggy~PJH Designs
Cynthia L says
I spent many years living in the South west. I love most anything in a tortilla. This quesadilla looks great!
Thanks for dropping this off at the In and out of the Kitchen link party! I ca’t wait to see what you come up with next week!
Cynthia at http://FeedingBIg.com
heidi says
This looks so tasty! Once again I am on my way to the store to find the ingredients.
Heidi’s Wanderings
Jenna says
Yum! I love shrimp with mexican food! Pinning to try next week! Thanks for sharing! Would love it if you would link this up to Give Me The Goods Monday: 1 Party, 5 Blogs! http://www.rainonatinroof.com/2013/05/give-me-goods-link-party-7.html
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
Robin says
We eat a lot of Quesadilla’s around here, but never with shrimp. I’ll definitely going to have to give this a try.
Thanks for sharing at Fluster’s Creative Muster Party!
Robin
Fluster Buster
lisa@cookingwithcurls says
Those share buttons are so cute!!! That quesadilla is making my hungry, it looks so good 🙂 I need that Confirm you are NOT a spammer button!!! I cannot find the plugin anywhere 🙁
Paula says
Thanks, I like them too. I use Growmap Anti Spambot Plugin or G.A.S.P. may be how to search it, I forget.
Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats says
Ok, yum Paula! This looks delicious! And…even better, I have shrimp at the house right now! 🙂
Paula says
Thank you and yes, it was very easy. Sometimes I just get tired of being in the kitchen 🙂