This Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe uses fresh shrimp, goat cheese, Monterey Jack, garlic, and bell peppers to create an irresistible flavor bomb melted into a crispy tortilla. This homemade and healthy quesadilla is a delicious Mexican appetizer, lunch, or dinner idea.
Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe
I've got a soft spot for Mexican food and especially Mexican food with seafood in it. Whether it's fish tacos or a shrimp burrito, I'm ALL IN. If you haven't tried seafood and Mexican food together, you are missing out! Luckily this Shrimp Quesadilla recipe is the perfect way to try this luxury at home. This simple and easy recipe features zesty Mexican flavors in a crispy and melty tortilla package.
There are lots of different variations and ways to make a shrimp quesadilla but here's my personal favorite: Pan-seared shrimp sauteed with Mexican spices, garlic, and fresh bell peppers plus soft goat cheese. It's all kept together with an extra layer of melty Monterey jack cheese and folded into a whole wheat tortilla that's crisped to perfection.
Yes, this delightful version might sound tricky but I promise you this healthy Mexican appetizer, lunch or dinner can be on your table in less than 20 minutes!
Easy Recipe for Shrimp Quesadillas
This easy recipe for Shrimp Quesadillas is my personal favorite because all of these flavors come together perfectly. Sure... you could make this with just the Monterey Jack cheese and shrimp but the extra flavor that comes from adding the bell peppers and goat cheese is totally worth the effort. The creamy goat cheese takes this simple recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.
Trust me, this mouth-watering combination will make you want this again and again.
It makes the perfect simple meal or appetizer. You could easily serve this at a party as an appetizer or for a quick lunch or dinner when you are just craving something different and unexpected.
Ingredients:
Here's what you'll need to make this Shrimp Quesadilla recipe.
- Tortillas: You can use your favorite type of 8 inches tortilla but I like to use Whole Wheat Tortillas for this.
- Bell Pepper: You can use any color bell pepper but I like green for the pop of color. You can also use a poblano pepper or even jalapeno pepper if you really like heat.
- Onion: I use sweet white onion for the best flavor profile.
- Garlic: Pre-minced or fresh mined garlic adds a lot of flavors to this healthy quesadilla.
- Olive Oil: You'll need just a small amount of oil or butter to saute your bell pepper, onion, garlic, and shrimp. Anything with a neutral flavor will work.
- Shrimp: Use small or medium raw shrimp for this recipe. They will need to be peeled deveined and chopped into bite-sized pieces. Thawed frozen shrimp actually work great for this recipe. Keep some in the freezer so you can make this anytime you'd like!
- Taco Seasoning: Use your own favorite taco or Mexican spice blend or use my own DIY Mexican Spice Mix featuring chili powder, oregano. cumin and chipotle pepper.
- Lime: I add a touch of lime to the shrimp to make the flavor pop.
- Goat Cheese: You can make this quesadilla without the goat cheese but it adds a layer of luxury and creaminess to this dish that's irresistible.
- Shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican Cheese: You'll also need some regular Mexican shredded cheese. Monterey Jack works great too. This is the cheese that will melt and actually hold the quesadilla together.
How to Make Shrimp Quesadillas:
This shrimp quesadillas recipe is cooked on the stovetop in a few steps but still comes together in 20 minutes.
- Start with a teaspoon of olive oil or butter in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Sauté the pepper and onions until they start to turn translucent. Salt, pepper and add a sprinkle of the taco seasoning. (I love THIS non-stick skillet for this recipe)
- Add the shrimp to the pan and Sauté for about 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and the rest of the taco seasoning. Shrimp cook fast and are done when they are opaque. Do not overcook them because they will continue to cook when you put them into the quesadilla. In the last 30 seconds add the garlic.
- Squeeze some of the lime on top of your shrimp and pepper mixture.
- Remove the shrimp mixture from the skillet and set aside.
- Spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray and lay one of the tortillas flat in the pan. Add a small amount of the Mexican Cheese being sure to put enough around the edges so it will bind together. Add the shrimp mixture on top and crumble the goat cheese on top. Sprinkle with another small amount of Mexican cheese. Cover the top with another tortilla.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes on each side or until the inside is melty and the outside is turning crispy.
- Serve immediately with any of the toppings I suggested above. My favorite is plain greek yogurt.
Dips & Toppings:
You can serve your quesadilla as is or with your favorite dips and toppings. I love plain Greek yogurt with mine but here are some other suggestions to have on hand.
- Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
- Guacamole
- Fresh Salsa
- Mango Avocado Salsa
- Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing
- Greek Yogurt Chipolte Lime Ranch
- Diced Tomato
- Diced Avocado
- Cilantro
- Lime
Variations & FAQ
I love this recipe as is, but here are some fun variations!
- Spicy Shrimp Quesadilla: Add more jalapeno or chipotle pepper. You can also add a few dashes of hot sauce to the cooked shrimp and pepper mixture.
- Veggie Packed Shrimp Quesadilla: Add double veggies or mix up your veggies with summer squash, diced tomato, corn, or even black beans.
- Extra Cheesy Shrimp Quesadilla: Leave out the goat cheese and add two or three times the amount of classic Mexican cheese.
- Old Bay Shrimp Quesadilla: Instead of using taco seasoning use Old Bay for a totally different flavor twist.
- Avocado Shrimp Quesadilla: Add diced avocado to the quesadilla.
How do you make quesadillas crispy?
One trick is to add a bit more olive oil or butter to the pan when cooking it. I also use cooking spray to get the same effect. That allows the quesadilla to get those crispy brown spots.
I've also found that some tortillas crisp up better than others. Honestly, some of the healthier, low-carb ones don't get that crispy layer you might want. I still use them sometimes without the crisp. It just depends on your health goals. The Whole Wheat Tortillas from ALDI crisp up great!
How do you keep quesadillas from getting soggy?
You'll want to cook your quesadilla or medium heat to keep it from getting soggy. You'll also want to watch what vegetables you use inside. Vegetables with lots of moisture can make the outside of your quesadilla seem soggy. Tomatoes inside a quesadilla can be your biggest problem.
If your vegetables seem soggy after cooking them let them dry out a bit on a paper towel before you cook them into the quesadilla.
How do you seal the edges of your quesadilla?
One important step in making this quesadilla is to put just enough of your Mexican or Monterey Jack shredded cheese around the edges of the quesadilla. When that melts you can push down a touch around the edges to seal the quesadilla before you flip it.
This Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe is Easy & Healthy!
Oh, how I adore this Mexican Shrimp Quesadilla recipe. This classic recipe is a tried and true family favorite I've been making for years and years. It's the perfect way to enjoy a bit healthier Mexican food at home but still get all those irresistible flavors.
If you aren't of the shrimp in Mexican food train yet, come on board, this ride is FINE! 🙂
More Healthy Mexican Recipes to Love:
- Black Bean & Avocado Quesadilla
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
- Sheet Pan Vegetarian Fajitas
- Vegetarian Taco Soup
- Vegetarian Spinach and Three Bean Enchiladas
- Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas
- Vegetarian Tex Mex Pasta Salad
- Shrimp Lettuce Wrap Tacos with Mango Salsa
- Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 8 inch tortillas, whole wheat
- ½ cup bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic, minced
- ½ pound raw shrimp, peeled, deveined and cut into bite sized peices
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- 1 lime
- 2 ounces goat cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese
- salt & pepper
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Start with a teaspoon of olive oil or butter in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Saute the pepper and onions until they start to turn translucent. Salt, pepper and add a sprinkle of the taco seasoning.
- Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes until the shrimp start to turn opaque. Sprinkle with the rest of the taco seasoning, salt and pepper. Do not overcook the shrimp. They will continue to cook when the quesadilla is coming together. Sqeeze some lime on top.
- Remove the shrimp mixture from the skillet and set aside.
- Spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray and lay one of the tortillas flat in the pan. Add a small amount of the Mexican Cheese being sure to put enough around the edges so it will bind together. Add the shrimp mixture on top and crumble the goat cheese on top. Sprinkle with another small amount of Mexican cheese. Cover the top with another tortilla.
- Cook tortilla for 3-5 minutes or until just starting to get brown. Carefully press the corners down so the melting cheese will seal the quesadilla.
- Flip the quesadilla and finish cooking another 3-5 minutes on the other side.
- Serve immediately with any of the toppings like plain greek yogurt.
Notes
Nutrition
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
These look absolutely scrumptious! My stomach is growling just looking at the pictures. Pinned and definitely plan to make soon.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I don't know what it is about shrimp quesadillas, but man are they the best!
JulieWunder says
They are so good! There is a Mexican restaurant in Asheville that does a lot of seafood with their dishes and it is soooo good!
Blane Sherer says
I have a daughter who worked at the Carl Sandburg House in Flat Rock, NC for several summers as a Park Ranger. We certainly learned alot about goats and goat cheese etc during that time.
JulieWunder says
Goat cheese is one of my favorites!