Breakfast/ Eggs For Breakfast/ Mexican and Tex-Mex Recipes/ Savory Breakfast Ideas

Easy breakfast quesadilla recipe

23 February 2021 | Last Updated: 1 April 2022 By Aleksandra

This cheesy breakfast quesadilla is filled with scrambled eggs and tomatoes. It’s a super easy recipe that requires only 5 ingredients and can be easily modified! Serve it with quick blender salsa for a perfect easy breakfast.

Below you will also find instructions how to make them for a crowd on a sheet pan!

A stack of breakfast quesadillas on a wooden board.

Ingredients:

For the basic version of this recipe you need only 5 ingredients:

  • tortillas of your choice (wheat or corn, I used wheat)
  • eggs – you can add a splash of milk to the eggs to make them more fluffy
  • tomatoes
  • cheese – I used cheddar, you can also use Mexican cheese blend, pepper jack cheese, or even mozzarella, it’s better to shred the cheese than use pre-shredded because freshly shredded cheese melts better as opposed to pre-shredded cheese which contains additives that prevent it from clumping
  • butter for cooking the eggs (or clarified butter)
Labeled ingredients for breakfast quesadillas.

What you could also add to this recipe:

This is really such a simple recipe, I encourage you to treat it as an inspiration and just gather what you have on hand and make the recipe your own! The base of the recipe are scrambled eggs so choose whatever ingredients that go well with eggs.

What can you put in a breakfast quesadilla:

  • protein/meat:
    • ham – add it along with the eggs
    • bacon – cook it first in the pan, discard some fat, then add the tomatoes and eggs
    • breakfast sausage – same as above
    • leftover chicken or turkey – add with the eggs to the pan
    • chorizo – just like in this recipe for breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs and chorizo
  • more veggies: spinach, beans, leftover potatoes, sauteed zucchini
  • add some heat: add fresh chopped chilies, sriracha sauce, red pepper flakes, harissa paste
  • seasoning: some taco or fajita seasoning

How to make a breakfast quesadilla step by step:

A collage of 3 photos showing cooking tomatoes, eggs and assembling quesadillas.

STEP 1: Cook the tomatoes

Peel the tomatoes, cut out the core and cut into small chunks. Heat the butter in a non-stick pan, when hot add the tomatoes. Cook for a couple of minutes or until the extra liquid from the tomatoes is evaporated.

TIP: The trick here is to not strain the tomato juices, we’re adding all in, flesh, juices, and seeds and cook them until all the extra moisture is evaporated. This concentrated tomato juice results in extra tomato flavor!

STEP 2: Cook the eggs

Add the eggs to the pan, and cook them over medium-low heat until almost cooked.

TIP: Don’t cook the eggs for too long or they will be dry. You want moist, barely set eggs that will finish cooking while pan-frying quesadillas.

A collage of 3 photos showing assembling and cooking quesadillas.

STEP 3: Assemble quesadillas

Sprinkle some cheese on a tortilla, top with eggs, then sprinkle some more cheese on top and cover with a second tortilla.

If you have small tortillas: it’s better to make a quesadilla with two small tortillas (like in the photos above). You can help yourself with a plate to flip the quesadilla on the other side.

If you have large tortillas: it’s better to place the filling on one half of a tortilla then fold it in half (you can see the photos in the recipe for chicken quesadillas).

If you are a beginner – fold-in-half quesadilla is easier to flip over that the one made with two tortillas (the filling can fall out of tortillas much easier).

TIP: Add the cheese under and on top of the eggs to ‘glue’ the whole filling with the tortillas.

STEP 4: Pan-fry quesadillas

Heat a small amount of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. When hot add the quesadilla and cook on both sides until golden (move the quesadilla once or twice to make sure it doesn’t stick to the pan). Transfer to a chopping board and sprinkle with salt. Cut into 4 or 8 triangles (depending on the size of a quesadilla).

TIP: You can also cook quesadilla without the oil but I prefer it much more with oil – they are more crispy and tasty.

If you’re making more quesadillas you can also finish them in the oven instead of on the stovetop! (it’s quicker) – How to do it:

  • Brush the quesadillas on both sides with melted butter.
  • Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake at 425°F/220°C for about 10 minutes or until golden.

Serve with tomato salsa.

Enjoy!

A hand is reaching for breakfast quesadilla on a wooden board.

Sheet pan breakfast quesadilla for a crowd

This is another option to cook quesadillas and it’s great if you’re feeding a crowd! The filling with tortillas is baked in the oven until golden then cut into servings. It’s really great!

A collage of 4 photos showing preparation steps of sheet pan breakfast quesadillas.

I used the same recipe but doubled the filling (I also added some leftover ham to it) and I needed 6 large tortillas.

How to make it:

  1. Brush 9×13-inch (23x33cm) baking pan or baking sheet with melted butter.
  2. Arrange tortillas overlapping around the edges of the pan so that half of the tortillas overhang the rim and the entire bottom surface of the pan is covered.
  3. Spread the filling evenly over the tortillas (the same way as described above, first, half of the cheese, then the eggs, then the remaining cheese).
  4. Fold the overhanging tortillas back towards the center, then place an additional tortilla on top so that all the filling is covered.
  5. Brush the top generously with melted butter.
  6. Bake at 425°F/220°C for about 10 minutes or until golden.
  7. Take out of the oven then let rest for 5-10 minutes so that the filling can set and is not runny.
  8. Cut into squares and serve with salsa.

Enjoy!

Sheet pan breakfast quesadillas in a pan with one serving on a spatula.

Serving suggestions:

  • Tomato salsa works best with this recipe. I recommend this quick blender salsa: mix all the ingredients in a blender/food processor until just a little chunky: 1 can crushed tomatoes (14-oz/400ml), 1 handful fresh cilantro, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1 large clove garlic, 1 deseeded jalapeno or some hot pepper flakes to taste, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 small white or yellow onion, salt, and pepper to taste.
  • Guacamole / sliced avocado.
  • Pico de gallo (I have a recipe for this condiment in the post for breakfast tacos).

Storage and freezing:

Make ahead: These quesadillas are great to make ahead! They make a great make-ahead breakfast. Wrap them in plastic foil then store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat on a dry pan over medium-low heat on both sides until crunchy and golden. Please note that reheated quesadillas won’t be as crunchy as freshly prepared. They will always be a little more soggy, but they are still great, especially for a breakfast that you don’t need to make but just reheat which literally takes a minute.

Alternatively, you can store the filling and tortillas separately and assemble just before serving.

They make a great packable breakfast/lunch and taste good also cold.

How to freeze them: wrap each quesadilla in plastic wrap and freeze in a single layer. Once frozen transfer to bags or containers. Thaw in the fridge then reheat in a pan. You can also thaw them in a microwave or in the oven. You can also bake them straight from the freezer at 350°F/180°C then broil at the end (or turn on the fan) to make them crispy. You can also just assemble the quesadillas and freeze them uncooked.

A stack of breakfast quesadillas on a wooden board. Tomato salsa and cilantro in the background.

More quesadilla recipes

Check out all my quesadilla recipes here.

Did you make this recipe? RATE THE RECIPE or tell me in the COMMENTS how you liked it! You can also add a photo of your dish. It would make me very happy and will help other readers. Thank you!!

Easy breakfast quesadilla recipe

A great idea for delicious breakfast qu⅕⅕esadilla – filled with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, and topped with cheddar cheese. This quick and easy recipe transforms your breakfast scramble to another level!
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Breakfast quesadilla on a wooden board.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2 servings (2 quesadilla)
Calories 611kcal
Author Aleksandra

Ingredients

for the quesadillas:

  • 4 small tortillas
  • 5 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 small tomatoes
  • 1 cup shredded cheese 3.5 oz/100, I used cheddar
  • 2 teaspoons frying oil

to serve:

  • tomato salsa see notes for a recipe
  • avocado/guacamole
  • cilantro

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Instructions

  • Cook the tomatoes: Peel and finely dice the tomatoes. Melt the butter in a pan, when it's bubbling add the tomatoes (with all the juices and seeds) and cook for about 2-3 minutes until soft and thickened (they can't be runny).
  • Cook the eggs: Beat the eggs and season them with salt and pepper. Add the eggs to the pan, cook over low heat until almost cooked – they shouldn't be runny but also not cooked through.
  • Assemble the quesadillas: Sprinkle 1/4 of the cheese on one tortilla, top with 1/2 eggs, then sprinkle another 1/4 of the cheese and cover with a second quesadilla. Repeat with the other ingredients.
  • Brown the quesadillas: Heat 1 teaspoon of frying oil in a pan, when hot add one quesadilla into the pan. Cook over medium-high heat for a minute or so or until the quesadilla is golden brown (move the quesadilla once or twice to make sure it doesn't stick to the pan). Using a wide spatula, turn the quesadilla on the other side and cook until browned (you can also help yourself with a plate). Take off the pan and repeat with the other quesadilla.
  • Serve: Sprinkle quesadillas with salt. Divide them into 4 or 6 parts (pizza knife is great for that), serve with tomato salsa, sliced avocado, and cilantro.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • What can you also put in a breakfast quesadilla:
    • protein/meat: ham, bacon, breakfast sausage, leftover chicken or turkey, chorizo
    • more veggies: spinach, beans, leftover potatoes, sauteed zucchini
    • add some heat: add fresh chopped chilies, sriracha sauce, red pepper flakes, harissa paste
    • seasoning: some taco or fajita seasoning
  • How to make sheet pan breakfast quesadilla: Use the same recipe but double the filling. You will need 6 large tortillas. Instructions:
    • Brush 9×13-inch (23x33cm) baking pan or baking sheet with melted butter.
    • Arrange tortillas overlapping around the edges of the pan so that half of the tortillas overhang the rim and the entire bottom surface of the pan is covered.
    • Spread the filling evenly over the tortillas (the same way as described above, first, half of the cheese, then the eggs, then the remaining cheese).
    • Fold the overhanging tortillas back towards the center, then place an additional tortilla on top so that all the filling is covered.
    • Brush the top generously with melted butter.
    • Bake at 425°F/220°C for about 10 minutes or until golden.
    • Take out of the oven then let rest for 5-10 minutes so that the filling can set and is not runny.
    • Cut into squares and serve with salsa.
  • Recipe for quick blender salsa: mix all the ingredients in a blender/food processor until just a little chunky: 1 can crushed tomatoes (14-oz/400ml), 1 handful fresh cilantro, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1 large clove garlic, 1 deseeded jalapeno, or some hot pepper flakes to taste, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 small white or yellow onion, salt, and pepper to taste.
  • These quesadillas are great to make ahead and can be frozen. Reheat them on a dry pan on both sides until crispy.
  • Calories = 1 serving (1/2 recipe). This is only an estimate!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine tex-mex
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