Lately, I’ve been really excited about finding ways to simplify classic family recipes and make them more fun and accessible. Our family enjoys Tex-Mex night almost every week, and we rotate through favorites like tacos, fajitas, burritos, and quesadillas. Recently, I discovered Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Chili Quesadilla demonstration and was completely blown away by her sheet pan quesadilla folding technique. It’s truly a game-changer! In my opinion as a busy mom, it’s absolutely the best method for making quesadillas for a hungry family or a crowd.
While the single-serve quesadilla fold that went viral is clever, the sheet pan method is perfect for serving multiple people at once. No more waiting in line at the griddle or press to feed those rumbling stomachs one quesadilla at a time! We really encourage you to give this recipe a try. It’s genuinely the easiest sheet pan quesadilla recipe, ideal for family dinners or any gathering where you need to feed a lot of people. It’s also a fantastic and fun option if you’re planning a menu for Cinco de Mayo or just want a delicious and simple weeknight meal.
Customizable Sheet Pan Quesadillas: Ingredients and Ideas
Think of this more as a method for cooking quesadillas rather than a rigid recipe. Feel free to get creative and use your family’s favorite quesadilla fillings. For our last quesadilla night, we used a Tex-Mex shredded cheese blend, diced green chilies, black beans, canned corn, diced avocado, and salsa. Other great additions could include diced bell peppers, chopped spring onions, and diced tomatoes. Don’t forget a squeeze of fresh lime to add that authentic Mexican zest!
For the protein, we opted for leftover BBQ chicken, but you could easily use cooked ground taco meat (beef or vegetarian), or skip the meat altogether for a vegetarian version. Leftover taco meat from taco night works wonderfully, reducing food waste and making dinner even quicker!
When it comes to toppings, we kept it simple with dollops of sour cream, chopped chives, salsa, avocado slices, and fresh parsley. However, the possibilities are endless! Consider adding hot sauce for a kick, extra green chilies for more heat, guacamole for creaminess, Greek yogurt as a lighter alternative to sour cream, or chopped cilantro for a fresh herb flavor.
Instead of melted butter, we brushed olive oil on top of our quesadilla before baking. This gives it a lovely golden-brown crisp.
Setting up a quesadilla bar is a fantastic way to involve everyone and cater to individual preferences. Just like taco bars, quesadilla bars are interactive and fun for families.
While we enjoyed this as a quick and satisfying dinner, sheet pan quesadillas are also perfect as party appetizers. Simply cut them into smaller, bite-sized portions for easy snacking. They are guaranteed to be a hit at your next gathering!
Sheet Pan Quesadillas Recipe (Inspired by Pioneer Woman)
Print Recipe
Easy Sheet Pan Quesadillas Recipe for Families | Pioneer Technology
This sheet pan quesadilla method, inspired by Pioneer Woman’s easy cooking style, is the smartest way to make quesadillas for a crowd. Utilizing the tortilla fold technique on a sheet pan, you can create a family-friendly meal that everyone will love with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American, Mexican, Tex-Mex
Keyword: Pioneer Woman Cookie Sheet Dinners, sheet pan quesadillas, easy family meals, quick dinner, Tex Mex, party food
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Pioneer Technology
Equipment
- (2) 13 x 18 inch sheet pans
Ingredients
- 8 10-inch flour tortillas
- 4 cups Tex-Mex shredded cheese blend
- 1 127 mL can chopped green chilies
- 1 cup salsa (+/- to taste & for topping)
- 1-2 cups cooked chicken or taco ground meat (+/- to taste; leave out for vegetarian option)
- 1 avocado, diced or sliced
- ½ can corn
- Sour cream (for topping)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
- Olive oil (approx. 4 tbsp, enough to brush pan & quesadilla)
- 1 lime, sliced into wedges
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly brush one sheet pan with olive oil to prevent sticking.
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Arrange 7 tortillas on the prepared sheet pan, positioning them halfway inside the pan and halfway hanging over the edge. Overlap them slightly to fully cover the base of the pan. Place two tortillas along each long side, one at each end, and one in the center to ensure complete coverage.
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Begin building your quesadilla. Start with a base layer of half the shredded cheese, followed by green chilies, cooked chicken or taco meat, black beans, avocado, corn, and salsa. Top the fillings with the remaining shredded Tex-Mex cheese.
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Fold the overhanging tortilla edges inward, snugly covering the fillings. Place the last tortilla on top to fully enclose the quesadilla. Brush the top lightly with olive oil.
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Take the second sheet pan and place it flat side down on top of the quesadilla “pillow.” This helps to compress the ingredients and ensure even cooking. Leave the second sheet pan in place and bake on the middle rack of your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp. Baking times may vary depending on your oven, so check around the 15-minute mark.
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Remove the sheet pan quesadilla from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Use a long knife or pizza cutter to slice it into 8 portions.
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Set up a quesadilla topping bar and let everyone customize their slices with their favorite toppings like sour cream, extra cheese, salsa, and more. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top just before serving for an extra burst of flavor. Enjoy your delicious and easy sheet pan quesadillas! Share your creations with us on social media by tagging @House_of_Kerrs!
Family-Friendly Quesadilla Fold: A Food-torial Version
More Tex-Mex Recipes Your Family Will Enjoy
If you loved this sheet pan quesadilla recipe, you’ll also love these other easy and tasty Tex-Mex family recipes. They are perfect for your next taco night or for creative makeovers using leftovers, especially after Cinco de Mayo celebrations:
Tex-Mex Stuffed Peppers
Mexican Tortilla Soup
For soup recipes that require many ingredients, we recommend using pre-packaged artisan mixes to simplify things. You can then customize them with your favorite add-ins. We made this Mexican Tortilla Soup to complement our sheet pan quesadillas, using our favorite artisan soup mix (Made in Canada!). We enhanced it with chorizo and topped it with shredded cheese, sliced tortillas, lime, avocados, and fresh parsley. It was incredibly delicious!
Tex-Mex Pasta Bake with Taco Night Leftovers
We love seeing your culinary creations made in your kitchens with your little chefs! Tag us @House_of_Kerrs or leave a comment below if you try and enjoy these sheet pan quesadillas or any of our other Tex-Mex family favorites!
Keep well and eat well!
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