Pioneer Woman Sheet Pan Quesadilla Recipe

Family-Fave Pioneer Woman Sheet Pan Quesadilla Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s sheet pan quesadilla transforms weeknight dinners into a fiesta of flavor and simplicity.

Mexican-inspired comfort food gets a delightful upgrade with this crowd-pleasing technique that maximizes taste while minimizing kitchen chaos.

Large baking sheets become magical platforms for layering tortillas, melty cheese, and succulent proteins in one seamless motion.

Our sheet pan method eliminates individual skillet flipping, allowing everyone to enjoy crispy, golden-edged quesadillas simultaneously.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of spices, tender protein, and gooey cheese that satisfies serious hunger pangs.

The clever assembly guarantees consistent cooking and effortless serving for hungry crowds.

Why Sheet Pan Quesadilla Is Perfect for Sharing

Why Sheet Pan Quesadilla Is Perfect for Sharing
  • Transform Meal Prep with One-Pan Magic: Ditch multiple pans and dishes for this genius sheet pan method that simplifies cooking and cleanup, making dinner a breeze without compromising on flavor or presentation.
  • Capture Flavor-Packed Layers of Deliciousness: Every bite delivers a perfect combination of tender seasoned chicken, melted cheese, zesty salsa, and vibrant vegetable textures that dance across your taste buds with exciting southwestern flair.
  • Create Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home: Elevate your home cooking game with a professional-looking quesadilla that looks impressive but requires minimal culinary skills, perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend gatherings with friends and family.
  • Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Swap ingredients easily to match dietary preferences or pantry availability, turning this recipe into a versatile template for endless delicious variations that keep meals exciting and personalized.

What You Need for Big Batch Quesadillas

Main Ingredients:

Tortillas: Large flour tortillas that form the base and wrap of the quesadilla, providing a crispy and sturdy foundation for the filling.

Cheese: Shredded cheese that melts beautifully, creating a creamy and gooey texture throughout the quesadilla.

Protein and Vegetable Ingredients:

Shredded Chicken: Seasoned with taco mix, adding protein and robust flavor to the dish.

Green Chilies: Mild peppers that introduce a subtle heat and tangy flavor profile.

Corn: Sweet kernels that provide a fresh and slightly crunchy texture.

Black Olives: Salty and briny addition that enhances the overall taste complexity.

Seasoning and Garnish Ingredients:

Taco Seasoning: Spice blend that gives the chicken a classic Mexican-inspired flavor.

Salsa: Adds moisture and zesty taste to the quesadilla filling.

Melted Butter: Used for brushing the tortillas to achieve a golden, crispy exterior.

Lime Wedges: Fresh citrus to brighten the dish and add a tangy accent.

Avocado: Creamy and rich topping that provides a cool contrast.

Sour Cream: Smooth and tangy garnish that balances the spices.

Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds a bright, herbal note to the final presentation.

Steps for a Crisp and Cheesy Sheet Pan Quesadilla

Steps for a Crisp and Cheesy Sheet Pan Quesadilla

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Surface

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Use a pastry brush to spread 1/2 of the melted butter evenly across the bottom of a half-sheet pan or large cookie sheet with raised edges.

Step 2: Create the Tortilla Base

Arrange tortillas to completely cover the pan’s bottom:
  • Place 2 tortillas along the long sides, allowing them to hang over the pan's edges
  • Position 1 tortilla on each short end, also overhanging
  • Ensure slight overlap where tortillas meet to cover the entire pan bottom

Step 3: Build Flavor Layers

Assemble the ingredients in this order:
  • Sprinkle 1/2 of the shredded cheese over tortillas
  • Mix shredded chicken with taco seasoning and spread over cheese
  • Distribute green chilies, corn, and black olives evenly
  • Gently spread salsa across the toppings
  • Top with remaining cheese

Step 4: Wrap and Seal the Quesadilla

Place a tortilla in the center of the toppings. Carefully fold the overhanging tortillas towards the center, completely covering the filling.

Step 5: Bake to Crispy Perfection

  • Cover the quesadilla with another sheet pan (flipped upside down)
  • Lightly press down to compress
  • Brush top tortillas with remaining melted butter
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cheese is melted

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

  • Remove from oven carefully
  • Lift off the top pan
  • Slice into squares
  • Garnish with
  • Lime wedges
  • Diced avocado
  • Sour cream
  • Fresh cilantro

Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips for Crispier, Cheesier Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Tips for Crispier, Cheesier Sheet Pan Quesadillas
  • Unleash Flavor Variety: Experiment with different protein options like shredded chicken, ground beef, or chorizo to create unique taste combinations that excite your palate.
  • Master Layering Magic: Stack ingredients strategically, placing cheese directly against tortillas to create a moisture barrier that prevents soggy bottoms and maintains crispy texture.
  • Customize Spice Levels: Mix mild and hot peppers or add a dash of hot sauce to personalize heat intensity without overwhelming the dish's overall flavor profile.
  • Maximize Cheese Potential: Blend multiple cheese types like monterey jack, cheddar, and pepper jack for a more complex and creamy melting experience.
  • Prep Like a Pro: Chop and prepare all ingredients beforehand to streamline assembly and ensure even distribution across the sheet pan quesadilla.

Storing Sheet Pan Quesadillas Without Soggy Bits

  • Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer to remove air completely. Slice the quesadilla into individual portions before sealing to make reheating easier and prevent freezer burn.
  • Layered Separation Method: Create a protective barrier between quesadilla slices using parchment paper or wax paper. Stack the pieces carefully, ensuring each slice is individually wrapped to maintain crisp edges and prevent sticking.
  • Quick Cool Method: Spread the quesadilla on a wire cooling rack for 15-20 minutes before refrigerating. This technique allows steam to escape, preventing moisture buildup and keeping the tortilla's crispy texture intact.

Flavor-Packed Twists on Classic Sheet Pan Quesadillas

  • Seafood Sensation: Replace chicken with sautéed shrimp, add diced bell peppers, and use pepper jack cheese for a coastal-inspired flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Veggie Blast: Swap chicken with black beans, roasted zucchini, and spinach, incorporating queso fresco for a plant-based protein-packed option.
  • Breakfast Bonanza: Fill with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon bits, and cheddar cheese, serving with a side of salsa roja for a morning meal transformation.
  • Southwestern Spice Adventure: Mix ground beef with chipotle seasoning, add roasted corn, and include a blend of monterey jack and cheddar cheeses for an extra kick of regional flavors.

Sheet Pan Quesadillas That Bring Everyone to the Table

Southwestern culinary magic unfolds with Pioneer Woman’s sheet pan quesadilla, a masterpiece of simplicity and flavor.

Layers of cheese, seasoned chicken, and zesty accompaniments create a mouthwatering experience that transforms ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast.

Crispy tortillas embrace a medley of ingredients, promising a delightful journey through tex-mex comfort.

Home cooks can effortlessly elevate their meal preparation with this ingenious technique.

Minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction guarantee a winning recipe for any gathering.

Passionate epicureans, savor each bite, share this culinary revelation across social platforms, leave enthusiastic comments, and spread the deliciousness with fellow kitchen adventurers.

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Pioneer Woman Sheet Pan Quesadilla Recipe

Pioneer Woman Sheet Pan Quesadilla Recipe


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4.6 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Mexican-style sheet pan quesadillas deliver a crispy, cheesy crowd-pleaser perfect for family dinners. Layers of tortillas, seasoned chicken, melted cheese, and zesty salsa create a simple yet irresistible meal you’ll devour in minutes.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 8 burrito-size flour tortillas

Secondary Ingredients:

  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
  • ½ cup sliced black olives
  • ½ cup salsa
  • 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles, drained

Finishing and Serving Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • Sour cream
  • 1 lime, cut into eighths
  • Several sprigs fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking surface by preheating the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Using a pastry brush, generously coat the bottom of a half-sheet pan or large cookie sheet with half of the melted butter.
  2. Create a tortilla base by strategically positioning two tortillas along the long sides of the pan, allowing them to slightly overhang the edges. Place additional tortillas on the short ends, ensuring they overlap and completely cover the pan’s bottom.
  3. Develop the first flavor layer by evenly sprinkling half of the shredded cheese over the tortilla foundation. Mix the shredded chicken with taco seasoning and distribute it uniformly across the cheese layer.
  4. Add complementary ingredients by scattering green chilies, corn, and black olives over the seasoned chicken. Gently spread salsa across the surface, ensuring even coverage.
  5. Complete the ingredient layering by topping the mixture with the remaining shredded cheese, creating a comprehensive flavor profile.
  6. Seal the quesadilla by placing a central tortilla over the toppings and carefully folding the overhanging tortillas towards the center, completely encasing the filling.
  7. Optimize cooking by covering the quesadilla with an inverted sheet pan to trap heat and apply gentle pressure. Brush the top tortillas with the remaining melted butter for enhanced golden color and flavor.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until the tortillas transform to a crispy golden brown and the cheese melts completely.
  9. Finalize the dish by carefully removing the top pan. Slice the quesadilla into square portions and plate with accompaniments such as fresh lime wedges, diced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, and chopped cilantro.

Notes

  • Streamline your cooking process by layering tortillas and ingredients on a single sheet pan, eliminating messy stovetop flipping.
  • Transform ordinary quesadillas into a crispy, golden masterpiece that feeds multiple people with minimal effort.
  • Maximize flavor potential by selecting diverse protein options like shredded chicken, seasoned ground beef, or plant-based alternatives.
  • Achieve restaurant-quality crispiness through strategic butter brushing, creating a crunchy exterior that elevates the entire dish.
  • Simplify meal preparation with a make-ahead friendly technique that keeps perfectly sealed and reheats beautifully for quick future meals.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 661 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 964 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Cholesterol: 101 mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

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