Few things can top fresh from the pan, hot and cheesy tuna melt quesadillas. This recipe is a delicious Mexican twist on the classic tuna melt sandwich. This dish comes together quickly so it’s a great addition to your bi-weekly dinner rotation.
This quesadilla recipe features a flavorful tuna and chipotle mixture stuffed in a flour tortilla. These spicy tuna quesadillas can be served on their own or with a simple side such as Mexican pinto beans or fideo seco.
What do you put inside a quesadilla?
A quesadilla in its most basic form is simply a tortilla that has been topped with cheese then folded in half. It’s then pan-fried or grilled until golden brown.
A quesadilla can be filled with other ingredients besides just cheese. Some of our favorite fillings include beans, sausage and chicken. The spicy tuna quesdilla recipe we’re sharing today is most definitely our favorite way to enjoy quesadillas.
Unfortunately tuna’s not so high up on everyone’s favorite foods list. However there are quite a handful of tuna recipes that are simply stellar and will make you give tuna a second chance such as tuna tacos, Mexican tuna salad and tuna macaroni salad.
How to make tuna melt quesadillas
Heat up the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot add the diced onion and season with salt. Saute for a couple of minutes. Next add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute. Then stir in the chopped chipotle peppers and drained tuna.
Next remove the skillet from heat and stir in the mayonnaise and cilantro. Taste and season with more salt if needed.
In another pan heat up a little olive oil over medium heat. Once hot place one tortilla in the pan and cook on each side for about 15-20 seconds. Then add some of the tuna mixture to one side of the tortilla. Next top with the shredded cheese.
Fold the tortilla and continue to cook on each side for about 1 minute or until golden and the cheese has melted.
Transfer the tuna quesadilla to a plate and repeat the above steps with the remaining tortillas and tuna mixture adding more oil as needed.
What is the best melting cheese for quesadillas?
This recipe uses mozzarella cheese. We prefer this cheese for it’s mild flavor and for how well it melts. However other cheese such as Monterrey jack, pepper jack and cheddar jack will work just as well.
Are they spicy?
These tuna melt quesadillas do have some heat to them thanks to the chipotle peppers. I however don’t find them overly spicy. If you are sensitive to spicy foods you can reduce the amount of chipotle peppers in this recipe.
Let us know if you enjoyed this recipe by leaving a comment and rating down below!
Tuna Melt Quesadillas
Tuna melt quesadillas are a delicious Mexican twist on the classic tuna melt sandich!
Ingredients
- 12 oz canned tuna drained
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and minced
- 1/4 onion diced
- 4 chipotle peppers in adobo chopped
- 3 tbs mayonnaise
- 3 tbs cilantro chopped
- 6 flour tortillas
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbs olive oil plus more as needed
- salt to taste
Instructions
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Heat up 1 tbs of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot add the diced onion and season with salt. Saute for a couple of minutes.
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Next add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute. Then stir in the chopped chipotle peppers and drained tuna.
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Next remove the skillet from heat and stir in the mayonnaise and cilantro. Taste and season with more salt if needed.
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In another pan over medium heat add about 1 tsp of olive oil. Place one tortilla in the pan and cook on each side for about 15 to 20 seconds.
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Then add about 2 tbs of the tuna mixture to one side of the tortilla. Next top with 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese.
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Fold the tortilla and continue to cook on each side for about 1 minute or until golden and the cheese has melted.
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Transfer the quesadilla to a plate and repeat the above steps with the remaining tortillas and tuna mixture adding more oil as needed.