Zesty Sun-Dried Tomato Quesadillas
Indulge in the bold flavors of our Zesty Sun-Dried Tomato Quesadillas, an ultimate one-dish meal guaranteed to impress your taste buds. The use of sun-dried tomato tortillas brings a delightful twist to traditional quesadillas, elevating their taste with a unique savory touch. Filled with a medley of colorful bell peppers, zesty jalapeños, and black olives sautéed to perfection, these quesadillas are then generously layered with melted cheese. Served hot and crispy, they make for a perfect snack or meal. Pair them with cool sour cream and fresh salsa for an irresistible combination. This dish is not only easy to prepare but can also be adjusted to suit your heat preference!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sun-dried tomato tortillas
6 (10-inch, laid out in a single layer)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Red peppers
2 (thinly sliced)
Onion
1 large (thinly sliced)
Jalapeño peppers
2 (thinly sliced)
Chopped black olives
1/2 cup (added after cooking)
Garlic
2 cloves (smashed)
Chili powder
1 teaspoon (for flavoring)
Ground cumin
1 teaspoon (for flavoring)
Cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for heat)
Shredded cheese
2 cups (for topping)
Sour cream
to taste (for serving (optional))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
2
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3
Add the sliced red peppers, onion, jalapeños, and smashed garlic to the skillet. Sprinkle with chili powder, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper.
4
Sauté the mixture, stirring often, until the peppers and onion are tender, approximately 5 minutes.
5
Remove from heat and fold in the chopped black olives. Set aside.
6
On a baking sheet, arrange 3 of the sun-dried tomato tortillas in a single layer.
7
Spread the sautéed vegetable mixture evenly over the tortillas, leaving about 1/2 inch around the edges.
8
Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on top of the vegetable mixture.
9
Top each with the remaining 3 tortillas, pressing down gently.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the tortillas are lightly browned and the cheese is melted.
11
Once done, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before cutting into 4 to 6 wedges.
12
Arrange on a platter and serve with sour cream and salsa on the side, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Sun-Dried Tomato Quesadillas?
They are a savory one-dish meal featuring sun-dried tomato tortillas filled with a medley of sautéed peppers, onions, jalapeños, black olives, and melted cheese.
What type of tortillas are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 10-inch sun-dried tomato tortillas to provide a unique savory touch.
How many tortillas do I need in total?
You will need 6 sun-dried tomato tortillas to make 3 full quesadillas.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) for baking the quesadillas.
What vegetables are used in the filling?
The filling includes thinly sliced red peppers, a large onion, and sliced jalapeño peppers.
How is the garlic prepared for this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 cloves of garlic that should be smashed before being added to the skillet.
What spices are used for seasoning the vegetable mixture?
The vegetables are seasoned with 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian?
Yes, this is a vegetarian recipe featuring vegetables, cheese, and spices.
How long should I sauté the vegetable mixture?
Sauté the peppers, onion, jalapeños, and garlic for approximately 5 minutes until they are tender.
When should the black olives be added?
Remove the skillet from the heat first, then fold in the 1/2 cup of chopped black olives.
How much cheese is used in these quesadillas?
The recipe uses 2 cups of shredded cheese spread evenly over the vegetable mixture.
How do I assemble the quesadillas before baking?
Place 3 tortillas on a baking sheet, spread the filling leaving a 1/2 inch border, add cheese, and top with the remaining 3 tortillas.
How long do the quesadillas need to bake?
Bake them for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are lightly browned.
Can I adjust the heat level of this dish?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of jalapeños and cayenne pepper to suit your heat preference.
What are the recommended serving sides?
Serve the hot quesadillas with cool sour cream and fresh salsa on the side.
Into how many wedges should I cut each quesadilla?
After cooling slightly, cut each quesadilla into 4 to 6 wedges.
What type of oil is used for sautéing the vegetables?
The recipe recommends using 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Are these quesadillas a snack or a meal?
They are versatile enough to serve as either a perfect snack or a complete one-dish meal.
Do I need to press down on the tortillas?
Yes, once the top tortilla is placed, press down gently to help the quesadilla stay together during baking.
Can I use regular flour tortillas instead?
While sun-dried tomato tortillas are recommended for flavor, you can substitute them with regular flour tortillas if necessary.
How many jalapeños does the recipe call for?
The recipe uses 2 thinly sliced jalapeño peppers for a zesty kick.
What color peppers are recommended?
The recipe specifically lists 2 red peppers, thinly sliced.
Is this an easy recipe to prepare?
Yes, the description notes it is easy to prepare and great for impressing guests with bold flavors.
What texture should the tortillas have after baking?
They should be lightly browned and crispy.
Should the onion be chopped or sliced?
The recipe calls for 1 large onion to be thinly sliced.
What is the primary flavor profile of this dish?
The dish is zesty, savory, and bold, with a combination of Mediterranean and Mexican influences.
How do I ensure the filling doesn't fall out?
Leave about a 1/2 inch border around the edges of the tortilla when spreading the vegetable mixture.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
While the recipe doesn't specify, you can sauté the vegetable mixture ahead of time and assemble before baking.
Is this dish served hot?
Yes, for the best experience, serve the quesadillas hot and crispy from the oven.
What is the role of cumin in this recipe?
Ground cumin provides an earthy, aromatic flavoring that complements the peppers and chili powder.