Ham, Egg, and Cheese Quesadillas: A Deliciously Simple Recipe
Quesadillas are a fantastic, versatile meal option, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a quick dinner. They’re easy to customize with your favorite ingredients, and cleanup is a breeze. This ham, egg, and cheese quesadilla recipe takes a classic combination and transforms it into a satisfying and flavorful dish. It’s a great way to use up leftover ham, and it’s sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
## Why You’ll Love This Recipe
* **Quick and Easy:** These quesadillas come together in minutes, making them ideal for busy mornings or weeknight meals.
* **Versatile:** Easily adapt the recipe to your liking by adding different cheeses, vegetables, or sauces.
* **Kid-Friendly:** The classic ham, egg, and cheese combination is a crowd-pleaser.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Use affordable ingredients that you likely already have on hand.
* **Great for Leftovers:** This recipe is perfect for using up leftover ham from a holiday meal.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start cooking, gather the following ingredients:
* **Large Flour Tortillas:** Look for soft, pliable tortillas that won’t tear easily. Burrito-size tortillas work best.
* **Cooked Ham:** Diced or thinly sliced ham adds a savory flavor. Leftover ham is ideal, but deli ham works too.
* **Eggs:** Scrambled eggs form the base of the filling. Use fresh, large eggs for the best results.
* **Shredded Cheese:** Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend cheese adds a creamy and melty texture. Feel free to experiment with your favorite cheese!
* **Butter or Oil:** For cooking the eggs and toasting the quesadillas. Butter adds a richer flavor, while oil is a lighter option.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To season the eggs and enhance the overall flavor.
* **Optional Toppings:** Sour cream, salsa, guacamole, hot sauce, chopped green onions, diced tomatoes.
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create delicious ham, egg, and cheese quesadillas:
**1. Prepare the Scrambled Eggs:**
* In a medium bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them together with a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk until the yolks and whites are fully combined and slightly frothy. This will ensure light and fluffy scrambled eggs.
* Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a pat of butter or a drizzle of oil.
* Once the butter is melted or the oil is heated, pour the egg mixture into the skillet.
* Cook the eggs, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until they are set but still slightly moist. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will continue to cook inside the quesadilla.
* Remove the scrambled eggs from the skillet and set aside.
**2. Assemble the Quesadillas:**
* Lay a flour tortilla flat on a clean surface.
* Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese evenly over one half of the tortilla.
* Top the cheese with a portion of the scrambled eggs and diced ham. Distribute the ingredients evenly to ensure each bite is flavorful.
* Add another layer of shredded cheese on top of the eggs and ham. This will help to bind the filling together and create a melty cheese pull.
* Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling, creating a half-moon shape.
* Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and filling.
**3. Cook the Quesadillas:**
* Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. You can use the same skillet you used for the eggs.
* Lightly grease the skillet with butter or oil. This will prevent the quesadillas from sticking and help them to brown evenly.
* Place one or two quesadillas in the skillet, depending on the size of your skillet. Be careful not to overcrowd the skillet, as this will lower the temperature and prevent the quesadillas from browning properly.
* Cook the quesadillas for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the tortillas are golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey.
* Use a spatula to carefully flip the quesadillas. Press down gently on the quesadillas with the spatula to help them cook evenly and melt the cheese.
* Once the quesadillas are cooked to your liking, remove them from the skillet and place them on a cutting board.
* Repeat this process with the remaining quesadillas, adding more butter or oil to the skillet as needed.
**4. Serve and Enjoy:**
* Let the quesadillas cool slightly before cutting them into wedges.
* Serve the quesadillas immediately with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce.
* Garnish with chopped green onions or diced tomatoes for a pop of color and flavor.
## Tips and Variations
* **Add Vegetables:** Enhance the nutritional value and flavor by adding diced vegetables to the filling. Some great options include bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, or tomatoes. Sauté the vegetables before adding them to the quesadilla to soften them and bring out their flavor.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the eggs for a spicy kick. You can also use a spicy cheese, such as pepper jack.
* **Use Different Meats:** Substitute the ham with other cooked meats, such as bacon, sausage, or shredded chicken.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Omit the ham altogether for a vegetarian option. Add extra vegetables or black beans for a heartier filling.
* **Use Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite combination. Gruyere, provolone, or mozzarella are all great options.
* **Add a Sauce:** Spread a thin layer of your favorite sauce on the tortilla before adding the filling. Pesto, hummus, or a creamy chipotle sauce would all be delicious.
* **Grill the Quesadillas:** For a smoky flavor, grill the quesadillas instead of cooking them in a skillet. Preheat your grill to medium heat and grill the quesadillas for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the tortillas are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
* **Make it a Breakfast Quesadilla:** Add ingredients like cooked breakfast sausage, crispy bacon, or sautéed potatoes to create a hearty breakfast quesadilla.
* **Use Different Tortillas:** Experiment with different types of tortillas, such as whole wheat, spinach, or corn tortillas. Keep in mind that corn tortillas may be more prone to breaking, so handle them carefully.
* **Make Mini Quesadillas:** Use smaller tortillas to create mini quesadillas that are perfect for appetizers or snacks. These are also great for kids.
## Serving Suggestions
These ham, egg, and cheese quesadillas are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with a variety of sides and toppings. Here are a few suggestions:
* **Sour Cream:** A dollop of sour cream adds a cool and tangy contrast to the warm, cheesy quesadilla.
* **Salsa:** Choose your favorite salsa, whether it’s mild, medium, or hot. Salsa adds a fresh and flavorful element to the dish.
* **Guacamole:** Creamy guacamole is a perfect complement to the savory quesadilla.
* **Hot Sauce:** If you like a little heat, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
* **Chopped Green Onions:** Green onions add a fresh, oniony flavor and a pop of color.
* **Diced Tomatoes:** Diced tomatoes add a juicy and refreshing element.
* **Black Beans:** Serve the quesadillas with a side of black beans for a more complete meal.
* **Rice:** Spanish rice or cilantro lime rice are great options to serve alongside the quesadillas.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad can add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the quesadillas.
* **Fruit Salad:** A light and refreshing fruit salad is a great way to end the meal.
## Make-Ahead Tips
* **Prepare the Eggs Ahead:** You can scramble the eggs ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them gently before assembling the quesadillas.
* **Assemble the Quesadillas Ahead:** You can assemble the quesadillas ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Cook them just before serving.
* **Freeze the Quesadillas:** For longer storage, you can freeze the quesadillas. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then cook them in a skillet or oven.
## Storage Instructions
* **Refrigerate:** Leftover quesadillas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a skillet, oven, or microwave.
* **Freeze:** As mentioned above, you can freeze assembled or cooked quesadillas for longer storage.
## Nutritional Information (Approximate)
The nutritional information for these ham, egg, and cheese quesadillas will vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the serving size. However, here is an approximate breakdown per quesadilla:
* Calories: 300-400
* Protein: 20-25 grams
* Fat: 15-20 grams
* Carbohydrates: 25-30 grams
This recipe is a delightful and easy way to enjoy a classic combination of ham, eggs, and cheese. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a simple dinner, these quesadillas are sure to please. So, gather your ingredients and get cooking! Enjoy!
## Printable Recipe Card
**Recipe Name:** Ham, Egg, and Cheese Quesadillas
**Prep Time:** 5 minutes
**Cook Time:** 10 minutes
**Total Time:** 15 minutes
**Yields:** 4 quesadillas
**Ingredients:**
* 4 large flour tortillas
* 1 cup cooked ham, diced
* 4 large eggs
* 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
* 2 tablespoons butter or oil
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, hot sauce, chopped green onions, diced tomatoes
**Instructions:**
1. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add butter or oil.
3. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until set but still slightly moist. Remove from skillet.
4. Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface. Sprinkle cheese over one half of the tortilla.
5. Top the cheese with scrambled eggs and diced ham. Add another layer of cheese.
6. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling.
7. Heat a clean skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease the skillet with butter or oil.
8. Place the quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
9. Remove from skillet, let cool slightly, and cut into wedges.
10. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
**Notes:**
* Add vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.
* Spice it up with red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
* Use different meats or cheeses to customize the recipe.
Enjoy your homemade Ham, Egg, and Cheese Quesadillas!