quesadilla

American  

[key-suh-dee-uh, ke-sah-thee-yah] / ˌkeɪ səˈdi ə, ˌkɛ sɑˈði yɑ /

noun

Mexican Cooking.

plural

quesadillas

1. a tortilla folded over a filling of shredded cheese, and sometimes vegetables or meat, cooked on a griddle or the like.

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quesadilla British  

/ ˌkeɪsəˈdiːljə, -ˈdiːjə /

noun

1. a toasted tortilla filled with cheese and sometimes other ingredients

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Etymology

Origin of quesadilla

First recorded in 1940–45; from Mexican Spanish; Spanish: “a pastry or cake made with cheese,” equivalent to quesada ( queso “cheese,” from Latin cāseus; cf. cheese ¹ + -ada noun suffix) + -illa diminutive suffix; see -ade ¹

Explanation

Next time you go to a Mexican restaurant, you might want to order a quesadilla, a grilled tortilla filled with melty cheese. Quesadillas come on flour or corn tortillas, which are loaded with cheese and sometimes vegetables or meat, and cooked over high heat. In Mexico, a quesadilla is traditionally made with Oaxaca cheese inside a folded corn tortilla, which is grilled without oil and served with salsa. There are many variations of this popular dish. Quesadilla comes from the Spanish queso, "cheese."

Example Sentences

My Three Sisters Quesadilla is both effortless and delectable, filled with the delicious trio, expertly seasoned and irresistibly cheesy.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 10, 2023

Or, you can find the full recipe for Trejo's Tacos' Pollo Frito Quesadilla below.

From Salon • Aug. 16, 2022

Pretty much the worst thing that happens to Mr. Quijada is that a kid calls him Brian Quesadilla.

From New York Times • Sep. 20, 2016

Don’t: Dairy Queen’s Veggie Quesadilla Basket sounds harmless, but it’s loaded with calories, fat, and sodium.

From Time • May 22, 2015

Quesadilla, o empanada,   Cucuta, o flaon, Qualquiera cosa me agrada,   Solo que no me digas que no, 3.

From Letters of a Traveller Notes of Things Seen in Europe and America by Bryant, William Cullen