Use up leftover macaroni in a new and exciting way. With mac and cheese quesadillas, you can enjoy a crispy, cheesy, and carb-loaded meal that's sure to hit the spot and fill tummies as well.
Recipe: $0.40 | Per Serving: $0.40 | Servings: 1
Using just 2 or 3 ingredients you can have some tasty mac n cheese quesadillas ready in minutes. Enjoy a buttery tortilla packed with your favorite macaroni. Watch as the kid's jaws drop as they stare at the wonderful concoction of deliciousness in front of them.
I love making this recipe with boxed mac and cheese or leftover macaroni, depending on what we have on hand. Homemade macaroni has a bit more "real cheese" taste and helps to hold the tortilla closed as it cooks, but either one works!
For more mac and cheese recipes, check out my 3 Ingredient Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese, 5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese, and Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole.
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🍯 Why This Recipe Works
- You can use boxed or homemade mac and cheese. Use what you have on hand for this macaroni quesadilla, and you'll be in a carb-lovers cheesy heaven.
- It's great for repurposing leftovers. Leftover mac and cheese takes on a whole new life in this quesadilla recipe. You'll look forward to leftovers knowing this awaits you.
- It's easy to make. Just load up a tortilla and toast on both sides until warm. This recipe is very simple and basic, making it perfect for a quick bite to eat.
🥘 Ingredients
Ingredient Notes:
Mac and cheese- You will need some already prepared macaroni and cheese for the filling. It can be fridge cold or warmed before use.
Butter- This is for will give us a nice golden color on the tortillas and help to prevent sticking to the pan.
Flour tortillas- You can use any type of tortilla possible, but flour tortillas will taste best. Make sure to save some tortillas for our Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza, Tortilla French Toast, and Cheesy Bean and Rice Burritos.
For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.
📖 Variations
Customizing Cheese: Feel free to add extra cheese to the recipe for added flavor. Choose a cheese that complements the macaroni's taste.
Experimenting with Ingredients: Consider adding mini pepperoni to the quesadillas for a unique twist. Pairing them with marinara dipping sauce can enhance the flavor combination.
🔪 Instructions for Mac and Cheese Quesadilla
Step 1: Add your butter to a skillet over medium heat.
Step 2: Cook until the butter has melted.
Step 3: Add a flour tortilla to the pan.
Step 4: Arrange the prepared mac and cheese onto one half of the tortilla, in an even layer (as much as possible). Leave the other half blank. If desired, add some additional cheese over the top.
Step 5: Fold the blank tortilla half over the filled half.
Step 6: Top the skillet with a lid.
Step 7: Allow the tortilla to cook for about 2 minutes so that the insides warm up.
Step 8: Remove the lid and flip the tortilla once the bottom is a nice golden color. Cook until the other side is golden as well.
Step 9: Serve the quesadilla on a plate and slice in half before serving.
🍴 Recipe Tips
- Room Temperature Macaroni: For smoother preparation, warm the macaroni to at least room temperature before using. This ensures quicker cooking and assembly of the quesadillas.
- Cooking Technique: If using cold macaroni, cover the skillet with a lid and cook on low heat to warm the noodles inside. Then, increase the heat to crisp the outside to a golden brown.
💭 Recipe FAQs
These quesadillas are best served warm and fresh off the skillet. While you can keep a cooked quesadilla in an airtight container in the fridge for up to about 3 or 4 days, they will be softer and somewhat soggy by the time you get to eat them.
Daiya brand mac and cheese or Annies Vegan mac and cheese would actually work wonderfully inside of a quesadilla, but you'll want to make sure you use dairy-free butter and double-check the tortillas for allergen warnings as well if you're trying to avoid dairy.
You can complement quesadillas with classic Mexican sides like Salsa or Pico de Gallo. Additionally, options like Guacamole, Spanish Rice, and Refried Beans make for tasty accompaniments.
❤️ More Delicious Pasta Recipes
If you tried this Mac and Cheese Quesadilla, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Mac and Cheese Quesadilla
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon butter ($0.12)
- 1 (8 inch) flour tortillas ($0.28)
- ½ cup prepared mac and cheese ($0.00)
- sliced cheese *optional
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt your butter.
- Add your tortilla to the pan and then arrange the prepared mac and cheese on half of the tortilla, leaving half of it empty.
- If desired, add sliced cheese over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Fold the empty side of the tortilla over the mac and cheese and cover the skillet with a lid.
- Allow to cook for 2 minutes so that the insides warm up.
- Remove lid and once the bottom of the quesadilla is golden brown, flip and repeat cooking on the other side until it's golden as well.
- Slide the quesadilla onto a plate and serve warm.
Notes
- Use room temperature macaroni for quicker cooking.
- Feel free to add extra cheese for more flavor.
- Best enjoyed fresh and warm.
- Dairy-free options are available using specific mac and cheese brands and dairy-free butter.
- Check tortillas for allergen warnings if avoiding dairy.
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