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    BeeyondCereal » Recipes » Lunch Recipes

    Mac and Cheese Quesadilla

    Modified: Oct 18, 2023 Published: Jun 7, 2021 by Nicole Durham This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    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

    two halves of mac and cheese stuffed quesadilla on a plate with green salad.

    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.

    Jump to:
    • 🍯 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🔪 Instructions for Mac and Cheese Quesadilla
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️ More Delicious Pasta Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍯 Why This Recipe Works

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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

    labeled ingredients needed to make mac and cheese quesadilla.

    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

    pad of butter in a skillet.

    Step 1: Add your butter to a skillet over medium heat.

    melted butter in a skillet.

    Step 2: Cook until the butter has melted.

    tortilla in a skillet with melted butter.

    Step 3: Add a flour tortilla to the pan.

    mac and cheese on half a tortilla in a skillet.

    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.

    folded and filled quesadilla in a melted butter covered skillet.

    Step 5: Fold the blank tortilla half over the filled half.

    glass lid on a skillet with a quesadilla inside.

    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.

    cooked quesadilla in a skillet.

    Step 9: Serve the quesadilla on a plate and slice in half before serving.

    Halved mac and cheese stuffed quesadilla on blue plate with green salad.

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    1. 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.
    2. 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

    How long are quesadillas good for?

    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.

    Can I use a dairy free mac and cheese?

    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.

    What goes with cheese quesadillas?

    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.

    mac and cheese in a cooked quesadilla with green salad.

    ❤️ More Delicious Pasta Recipes

    • penne pasta with alfredo sauce and fresh parsley.
      Cream Cheese Alfredo Sauce
    • a mountain of cheeseurger helper on a plate next to fresh parsley.
      Homemade Hamburger Helper
    • a bowl of zucchini penne pasta.
      Zucchini Penne Pasta
    • spicy peanut butter ramen in a bowl with a bite being lifted out using chopsticks.
      Spicy Peanut Butter Ramen

    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

    two halved of mac and cheese stuffed quesadilla with salad.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Mac and Cheese Quesadilla

    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.
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 7 minutes mins
    Servings: 1 quesadilla
    Calories: 403kcal
    Cost Recipe $0.40
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Skillet
    • Spatula
    • Measuring Cups
    • Butter knife

    Ingredients

    • 1 Tablespoon butter ($0.12)
    • 1 (8 inch) flour tortillas ($0.28)
    • ½ cup prepared mac and cheese ($0.00)
    • sliced cheese *optional
    US Customary - Metric

    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.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1quesadilla | Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 47.1g | Protein: 10.9g | Fat: 19.3g | Saturated Fat: 9.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6.8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 47.1mg | Sodium: 894.2mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1.1g | Sugar: 1.5g | Vitamin A: 117.9IU | Calcium: 181.1mg | Iron: 2.1mg
    Author Nicole Durham
    Course lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Diet Vegetarian
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used. To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

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    The proud owner and recipe developer behind BeeyondCereal. Here, I'm passionate about showing people how to navigate the kitchen with frugality in mind, whipping up family-friendly recipes that not only save money but also bring joy to every meal.

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