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Delicious shrimp and spinach quesadillas

Classic Shrimp and Spinach Quesadillas

Flavorful shrimp and spinach are seasoned with spices, then layered with cheese between crispy tortillas for a delightful and easy meal. Perfect for a quick lunch or a fun dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 quesadillas
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board

Ingredients
  

Quesadilla Filling

  • 1 lb Fresh Shrimp peeled, deveined, tails off (small to medium size)
  • 5 oz Fresh Spinach roughly chopped
  • 1 medium Diced Onion
  • 3 cloves Minced Garlic
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil for cooking
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • Salt To taste
  • Black Pepper To taste

For Assembly

  • 8 Flour Tortillas large (fajita or burrito-style)
  • 2 cups Shredded Cheese Blend Monterey Jack, Colby, or Mexican blend
  • 1 tbsp Butter or Oil for cooking quesadillas

Instructions
 

Cooking the Filling

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add diced onion and cook until softened for 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add shrimp to the skillet, season with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, then cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
  • Stir in chopped spinach gradually and cook until tender and most water has evaporated, then remove the filling and set aside.

Assembling and Cooking Quesadillas

  • Clean the skillet or use a new one, then melt butter or drizzle oil over medium heat and place one large flour tortilla in it.
  • Sprinkle cheese over half of the tortilla, add the shrimp and spinach mixture, then sprinkle with more cheese.
  • Fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filled half, cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy with melted cheese.
  • Remove the cooked quesadilla, cut into wedges, and repeat with remaining tortillas; serve immediately with desired toppings.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a squeeze of lime juice to the shrimp and spinach mixture after it's cooked. You can also experiment with different cheese blends or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat. Serve with a side of fresh salsa and guacamole for a complete meal.