When you love quesadillas and love pizza get ready to be obsessed with your new one the Pepperoni pizza quesadillas. Stuffed with sticky melted mozzarella, spicy pepperoni and hot sauce of pizza, crispy golden tortillas are cooked to perfection in minutes. It is all that you are craving about pizza and it is contained in a fast and convenient handheld meal.

This recipe is super easy and yields BIG flavor whether a fast meal is required, it is game day and you are just seeking a snack, or you are trying to feed your kids a quick lunch. And the best part? It has a few simple ingredients that you have to use.

Why  you will Like These Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas

• Ready in under 20 minutes.
• Only 5-6 simple ingredients.
• Perfect for busy weeknights.
• Freezer-friendly.
• Made to order to your preferred toppings.
• Crowd-pleasing party snack.

The dish is made of a crunchy quesadilla crust and the saucy, cheesy pizza in the middle. The tortillas are crisping to the best in a skillet and the inside is melting into cheesy perfection.

What Are Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas?

The name pizza quesadillas is precisely self-explanatory since it is more or less a combination of the Mexican quesadilla style and the Italian traditional flavors of pizza. Flour tortillas will be used as the base instead of the pizza dough. They are topped with pizza sauce, cheese and toppings, folded or stacked and cooked in a skillet until crisp.

They are simpler and quicker as compared to conventional pizza and one does not have to even switch on the oven.

Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas Recipe

Ingredients:

This is all that you will require to prepare 4 servings (2 big quesadillas):

Main Ingredients:

• 4 large flour tortillas
• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded.
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
• butter or olive oil 2 tbs. butter or olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (Optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (no more than optional, to be a garnish)

Optional Add-Ins:

• Sliced black olives
• Sauteed mushrooms
• Bell peppers
• Cooked sausage
• Red onion slices
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Lay out your tortillas. Peel off the mozzarella in case you do not get pre-shredded mozzarella cheese. Add any other toppings that you desire.

Clue: Fresh mozzarella is melted easier than shredded cheese that is pre-packaged.

Step 2: Prepare the Quesadilla.

1. Put one of the tortillas flats in a clean surface.
2. slap on the tortilla the 2-3 tablespoons of pizza sauce in a thin layer.
3. Grate a lot of mozzarella cheese.
4. Top with a cheese topping of pepperoni.
5. Add a little more cheese on top (this helps to close it).
6. Lay another tortilla.

Another option is to cut a single tortilla half as opposed to putting two tortillas so that you can have a thin quesadilla.

Step 3: Cook to Crispy Perfection.

1. Preheat a big skillet in medium heat.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of butter, olive oil and allow it to melt.
3. Delicately put the quesadilla together into the skillet.
4. Bake 3-4 minutes on one side till golden brown and crispy.
5. Turn about with a spatula and cook another 2-3 minutes until the other side is golden and all the cheese has melted.

And the same with the second quesadilla.

Step 4: Slice & Serve

1. Take out of the skillet and allow it to cool down 1-2 minutes.
2. Cut into slices with sharp knife or pizza cutter.
3. Parsley and Italian seasoning can be used.
4. Garnish with additional warm pizza sauce.

Tips For Perfect Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas

Don’t Overload with Sauce

Excessive amount of sauce may make the tortilla wet. A thin layer works best.

Use Enough Cheese

Cheese acts as glue. Ensure that there is something to bind it all.

Medium Heat is Key

When cooked on high heat, the tortilla is likely to be burnt before the cheese melts. Even crisping is secured by the medium heat.

Butter vs Olive Oil

Butter has a more delicious taste and golden crust. Olive oil keeps it lighter.

Variations to Try

Supreme Pizza Quesadilla

To add to it, add bell peppers, olives, onions and cooked sausage to make it loaded.

Spicy Pepperoni

Add red pepper flakes (crushed with mortar and pestle) or drizzle with hot honey.

BBQ Chicken Pizza Quesadilla.

Substitute pizza sauce with bbq sauce, and shredded chicken in place of pepperoni.

Margherita Style

Fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes and fresh basil are used.

Meat Lovers

Add pepperoni, cooked bacon, and sausage to make a protein rich choice.

Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas Cooking Instruction

Air Fryer Instructions:

• Spray air fryer with oil.
• Assemble quesadilla.
• Lightly spray with oil.
• Once it has cooked, it takes 6-8 minutes, turning it half way.
• They come out extra crispy!

Baking Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400degF (200degC).
• Put quesadillas on a lined baking sheet and bake taking 8-10 minutes with a turnover.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigeration:

Keep store food in an airtight container within a maximum of 3 days.

Freezing:

Cover with foil and freeze within a period of 2 months.

Reheating:

• Skillet: 2-3 minutes per side
• Air fryer: 3-4 minutes at 350degF
• Oven: 5-7 minutes at 375degF

Do not microwave at all in order to keep it crispy.

What to Serve With Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas

• Garlic knots
• Caesar salad
• Tomato soup
• Ranch dressing
• Marinara sauce
• Fresh fruit

To make a party platter, slice them into small triangles and serve it with a number of dipping sauces.

Nutrition Facts (Estimated per serving)

• Calories: 420-480
• Protein: 20g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fat: 25g

The values will be different based on cheese and topping.

Why This Recipe Works?

The tortilla is a crust of thin crispness. Mozzarella is very easy to melt and it provides that classic stretch of a pizza. Pepperoni emits delicious oils during cooking and imparts the cheese with savory and delicious flavor.

Due to a limited cooking time, all the products remain fresh and vibrant without drying out as is the case with some reheated pizzas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use corn tortillas?

You can but it is better to use flour tortillas as it fries up even and has more filling.

What cheese works best?

Classic Mozzarella can be used but you may add cheddar or provolone to it to add flavor.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare them and keep in the fridge, not more than 24 hours prior to cooking.

Are these kid-friendly?

Absolutely. Children adore them as they are easy to carry and dip and also have a pizza flavor.

Final Thoughts:

Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas are one of such brilliant fusion recipes that it only makes sense. They are crunchy and cheesy and cozy as well as very simple to prepare. You can serve a family, a group of friends, or you are just in need of something luxurious and good, this recipe will certainly do the trick.

The next time you find yourself buying pizza, make these. They are quicker, less expensive and even more tasty, perhaps, even better.

Happy Cooking!