This restaurant-style Cajun shrimp quesadilla recipe is truly a game-changer! Warm, crispy tortillas filled with cheesy Cajun shrimp and tomatoes.
Check out all these other delicious quesadilla recipes, like the classic Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla.
SHRIMP QUESADILLA RECIPE
This Quesadilla recipe is for all shrimp lovers! Cheesy shrimp quesadillas loaded with juicy shrimp, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and cheese all in a flavorful Cajun seasoning. This recipe is an easy Mexican-inspired dish that everyone will love. Enjoying this easy quesadilla recipe is great for an easy lunch, dinner or even for a game day appetizer!
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Tortilla– Use medium burrito-sized flour tortillas for the best quesadillas. You can also swap for carb balance tortillas, protein tortillas, or any other type you like.
- Shrimp– This recipe calls for raw shrimp that is peeled and de-veined. You can totally use frozen shrimp, just be sure that the shrimp is thawed before making this recipe.
- Tomato– Fresh tomatoes really bring the filling together! The mix of shrimp, tomatoes, and Cajun seasoning is delicious. Use cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, or any fresh variety you like.
- Onion– The addition of the onions adds so much flavor to the filling of these shrimp quesadillas! You can use either a red onion or regular cooking onion; you can also leave the onion out if you don’t like onions.
- Cilantro– Freshly chopped cilantro gives these quesadillas a bright, fresh kick. If you’re not a cilantro fan, swap it for parsley or just leave out the greens.
- Cheese– You can use your go-to shredded cheese for these quesadillas. Mexican blend, mozzarella, mild cheddar, taco blend, or any favorite shredded cheese will work.
- Flavor– Season the filling with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning! You can also swap the Cajun seasoning for Blackening seasoning, taco seasoning, old bay seasoning or any other spice blend you prefer.
HOW TO MAKE SHRIMP QUESADILLAS
Not only are these Cajun shrimp quesadillas delicious but they are so easy and come together in under 15 minutes!
- Finely chop the onions, dice the tomatoes, and cut the shrimp into small bite-sized pieces.
- Heat a skillet with medium large heat with a drizzle of oil. Add the onions and sauté until tender. Add the shrimp, tomatoes, and seasoning.
- Cook until the shrimp is opaque and tender. Remove from the heat and mix in the chopped cilantro.
- Layout the tortillas and spread the cheese and shrimp filling onto half of the quesadilla, evenly dividing the cheese and filling between both tortillas.
- Take the empty side of the quesadilla and fold over to close the tortillas.
- Heat a dry skillet on medium low heat. Carefully add the assembled quesadillas to the skillet and cook until golden brown.
- Flip and cook until the other side is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Remove from the skillet and slice into 2-3 pieces. Serve immediately with your favorite sides and dips.
AIR FRYER METHOD-
Did you know you can cook these shrimp quesadillas in the air fryer?
- Once assembled, place the quesadillas in the air fryer basket and lightly spray the tortillas with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air fry at 375°F for about 5-6 minutes or until golden and the cheese is melted, flip halfway through the cook time for extra crisp.
QUESADILLA VARIATIONS
There are several different variations of shrimp quesadillas that you can make! Have fun with what you add to the filling with so many different flavors!
- Shrimp Fajita– Make these quesadillas fajita style! Add sauteed peppers, mushrooms and onions to the shrimp filling.
- Avocado Salsa– Add an avocado salsa into the filling, for a light and fresh taste!
- Mushroom– If you are a mushroom lover, add sauteed mushrooms to the filling.
- Basic Shrimp– Keep it simple and just use shrimp, cheese and quesadilla sauce for the filling.
SERVING IDEAS-
Serve this quesadilla with the right sides for the ultimate dinner or lunch! Level up your Mexican night with a delicious quesadilla recipe.
- Pico de Gallo
- Guacamole
- Classic Salsa
- Corn Salsa
- Peach Salsa
- Sour Cream
- Salsa Verde
- Hot Sauce
- Cilantro Lime Rice
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
Yes! If you don’t like shrimp but still want Cajun-inspired quesadillas, just swap the shrimp out for chicken or even steak!
You want to use raw shrimp, since the shrimp is going to be sauteed!
Yes, you can make the filling 2 days ahead of time! When ready to enjoy, just warm the filling, assemble and then cook!
Once the shrimp quesadillas are cool, cover or add to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 2-3 days. Just reheat in the microwave, air fryer or oven.
Yes! If you want to keep this quesadilla simple, just leave out the tomatoes and onions and just add shrimp, cheese, and quesadilla sauce for the filling.
OTHER MEXICAN-INSPIRED RECIPES-
If you love the Mexican cuisine, check out all my other delicious recipes:
Cajun Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 oz raw shrimp peeled & deveined chopped
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 ½ Tsp red onion finely chopped
- 1/2 cup tomatoes finely diced
- ½ tsp salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper or to taste
- ½ tsp cajun seasoning
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp cilantro finely chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 2 medium flour tortillas
Instructions
- Rinse the peeled and deveined shrimp and completely pat dry. Cut the shrimp into small pieces.
- In a skillet, heat 1 tsp of oil on medium high heat. Once hot, sauté the chopped onion until tender. Once the onion is cooked add the chopped shrimp and tomatoes to the skillet and cook on medium heat.
- Season with salt, pepper, cajun seasoning, and garlic powder. Continue cooking until shrimp is opaque, for about 3-4 minutes. Add in the chopped cilantro and remove from heat.
- Lay out the quesadilla and add a layer of cheese on half of the quesadilla. Then divide the shrimp filling between the two tortillas and top with the rest of the cheese. Fold to close.
- Heat a large skillet on medium heat, once hot add the assembled tortillas and cook until golden.
- Flip and cook again until crispy and the cheese has melted. Remove from heat and slice.
- Serve with desired sides.
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