• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • Meal Plans
  • About
  • Shop
  • Subscribe

BeeyondCereal logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • Meal Plans
  • About
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • Meal Plans
    • About
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Lunch Recipes

    Published: Jun 7, 2021 Modified: May 8, 2023 by Nicole This post may contain affiliate links.

    Mac and Cheese Quesadilla

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    promotional graphic for 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.

    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, Instant Pot Kraft Mac and Cheese, 5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese, and Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole.

    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.
    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🍽 Equipment Needed
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • 💭 FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    labeled ingredients needed to make mac and cheese quesadilla

    🥘 Ingredients

    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.

    🍽 Equipment Needed

    BeeyondCereal is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

    • Skillet
    • Spatula
    • Measuring Cups
    • Butter knife

    🔪 Instructions

    Check out how to make a mac and cheese quesadilla with these simple step-by-step instructions:

    pad of butter in a skillet

    Add your butter to a skillet over medium heat.

    melted butter in a skillet

    Cook until the butter has melted.

    tortilla in a skillet with melted butter

    Add a flour tortilla to the pan.

    mac and cheese on half a tortilla in a skillet

    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

    Fold the blank tortilla half over the filled half.

    glass lid on a skillet with a quesadilla inside

    Top the skillet with a lid.

    Allow the tortilla to cook for about 2 minutes so that the insides warm up.

    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

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

    halved mac and chees stuffed quesadilla on a blue rimmed plate with green salad

    📖 Variations

    Adding additional cheese into the recipe is perfectly fine and delicious. Use a cheese you think will pair well with the flavor of your macaroni.

    My husband had me add mini pepperoni to his quesadillas because he swore it was going to taste good, and he wasn't wrong. Although I wish there was a marinara dipping sauce for them it was a pretty great combination of flavors. So if you're looking for a fun spin on this recipe, that could be it!

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    When making these macaroni and cheese quesadillas I find that it helps when the macaroni being used isn't fridge cold. If you pre-warm it up in the microwave until it's at least room temperature, the recipe goes pretty quickly.

    Otherwise, you may need to cover your skillet with a lid and turn the heat to low to cook the noodles inside before turning up the heat to crisp the outside to a nice golden brown.

    💭 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.

    an upsloce shot of the mac and cheese in a cooked quesadilla with green salad

    More pasta recipes to try

    • Cream Cheese Alfredo Sauce
    • Easy Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet
    • Cream Cheese Bacon Pasta Bake
    • Zucchini Penne Pasta

    📖 Recipe

    aerial shot of 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 $0.34
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Skillet
    • Spatula
    • Measuring Cups
    • Butter knife

    Ingredients

    • 1 Flour tortilla (standard size) ($0.25)
    • 1 Tablespoon Butter ($0.09)
    • 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

    Recipe Tips

    When making these macaroni and cheese quesadillas I find that it helps when the macaroni being used isn't fridge cold. If you pre-warm it up in the microwave until it's at least room temperature, the recipe goes pretty quickly. Otherwise, you may need to cover your skillet with a lid and turn the heat to low to cook the noodles inside before turning up the heat to crisp the outside to a nice golden brown.
    Adding additional cheese into the recipe is perfectly fine and delicious. Use a cheese you think will pair well with the flavor of your macaroni.
    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.
    Dairy Free. 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.

    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 NicoleDurham
    Course lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

    More Tasty Lunch Ideas

    • an upclose view of peanut butter jelly sandwiches on a plate with green rapes in the background
      Frozen Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
    • an upclose view of cooked grilled cheeese sandwiches on a plate with a bowl of tomato soup in the background
      Make Ahead Frozen Grilled Cheese
    • a close up of a spicy tuna sandwich and half a sandwich on top of it
      Spicy Tuna Sandwich
    • an upclose view of stacked halved tuna melt on a plate with red and green grapes and an air fryer in the background
      Air Fryer Tuna Melt

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Nicole from Beeyond Cereal

    I'm Nicole and I am the owner and recipe developer here at Beeyond Cereal. I love saving money and one of the best places to trim expenses is in the kitchen. With this site, we are serving up tasty and frugal homemade dishes that the whole family will enjoy.

    More About Me →

    Trending NOW

    • an upclose aerial view of a white bowl filled with cooked canned green beans
      The Best Canned Green Bean Recipe
    • a bowl filled with microwave yellow squash next to a large wooden serving spoon
      Microwave Yellow Squash
    • an uplcose view of sliced mini loaf of zucchini bread with two more loaves in background
      Zucchini Bread Mini Loaves
    • a close up of taquitos enchiladas in a bowl with a board filled with toppings in background
      20 Minute Lazy Enchiladas

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Peach Pie
      Homemade Peach Pie Filling
    • a close up of a spoon skimming the top of a bowl of cheesy potato soup thats garnished with parsley
      Cheesy Potato Soup
    • stacked pumpkin spice snickerdoodle cookies
      Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
    • a plate full of stacked apple cider donut muffins
      Apple Cider Donut Muffins

    As Seen In

    parade yummyle foodgawker the pioneer woman

    Footer

    ↑ Back to Top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Public Sharing Policy
    • Pricing Disclosure

    Follow

    • Sign Up! for emails
    • Follow on Facebook
    • Follow on Instagram
    • Follow on Pinterest

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Beeyond Cereal --Brunch Pro Theme by Feast Design Co.