Queso Amor – The Ultimate Quesadilla Recipe (Totally Crave-Worthy!)

Queso Amor is another one of the flavorful, no-fuss dishes from my upcoming book Dinner for One: One Pan, One Plate, One Happy Belly.

A golden, crispy tortilla enveloping melty cheese and your choice of flavorful fillings—this quesadilla is the ultimate quick-fix dinner. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s perfect for those nights when you crave something comforting without the fuss.

Remember, this cookbook is all about solo cooking, so the measuring suggestions are for one person. However, if you’re feeding more than one, just double, triple, or quadruple the ingredients—easy as that. Let’s go!

🕒 Prep Time: 5–10 min🔥 Cook Time: 5–10 min⏳ Total Time: 10–20 min

🔥 HOW IT’S GONNA GO DOWN

Stovetop Sizzle + Fold & Crisp

🧺 BLOCK PARTY (INGREDIENTS)

Serves 1 hungry human

• Tortilla: 1 large flour tortilla (8–10 inches)

• Veggies to vibe with (~¼–½ cup): Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, corn, or any leftovers

• Aromatics (~½ tsp each): Garlic, scallions, or jalapeños (optional)

• Cheese (~½ cup): Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a blend (dairy-free works, too)

• Oil or Butter: For crisping the tortilla

🍗 CALL IN YOUR POWER PLAYERS (~4–6 oz)

• Cooked chicken, steak, or shrimp

• Black beans or pinto beans

• Sautéed tofu or tempeh

• Leftover roasted veggies

🌿 ASSEMBLE YOUR FLAVOR CREW

• Classic: Cumin, chili powder, garlic powder

• Herby: Fresh cilantro, parsley, or chives

• Spicy: Hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or chipotle powder

👩‍🍳 HERE’S THE GAME PLAN – FILL, FOLD, SIZZLE

1. Prep the Filling: Sauté veggies and aromatics in a skillet with a bit of oil until tender. Add your chosen protein and flavor crew. Cook until heated through. Remove from skillet and set aside.

2. Assemble the Quesadilla: Wipe the skillet clean and place it over medium heat. Place the tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle half of the cheese over one half of the tortilla, add the filling, then top with the remaining cheese.

3. Cook: Fold the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, pressing down gently, until both sides are golden and cheese is melted.

4. Serve: Transfer to a cutting board, let it sit for a minute, then slice into wedges. Serve

with your favorite dips like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

✨ PLAY YOUR WILD CARD

• No tortilla? Use a flatbread — or go low-carb with a large lettuce leaf wrap.

• Extra crunch: Add crushed tortilla chips inside before cooking.

• Breakfast twist: Fill with scrambled eggs, cheese, and breakfast sausage for a morning delight.

This is comfort food that doesn’t come with a side of stress.

Make it your own. Trust your taste. And if you do whip it up, tag me — I’d love to see your spin on it!

With Flavor Love,

Kerstin