A Different Type of Quesadilla: The Pizza Quesadilla

A quesadilla is a commonly known and simple recipe to make that involves very few ingredients. If you like the simplicity of a quesadilla and love the taste of pizza, then trying a pizza quesadilla is a must. The pizza quesadilla is simple and some of the ingredients can be customized for picky eaters [1]. This recipe is great due to its simplicity, preparation/cooking time, and great taste.

History of Pizza and Quesadillas

A pizza and a quesadilla are two foods that are historically different. Pizza originated in Italy and was not well known when it first was introduced in the United States. Pizza eventually gained popularity after World War II due to Americans changing their eating habits. This is due to the servicemen enjoying what they considered exotic food. Which was food from different cultures. Popularity was also gained due to its convenience. [2] Quesadillas originated in the central and southern regions of Mexico. They consist of tortillas with cheese in the middle. Mexican cuisines are connected to immigration in the nineteenth century. This is due to an influence on eating patterns [3]. There are different versions of many foods that were not originated in America one being a quesadilla. It is unknown when or where the pizza quesadilla came to be. Some people think of it on their own and some may have seen it on social media. I remember when my family and I were trying to find something quick we could make and came up with the idea that we could add pizza sauce and pizza toppings to our quesadillas and that it would work the same. Turns out it did, and we still make pizza quesadillas when we are short on time or are looking for a quick tasty meal.

Nutritional Value

Although this pizza quesadilla may have more calories than preferred, it does provide you with food from a few different food groups. This recipe includes carbs, protein, fats, and fiber. These can all be great to include into your diet. Ingredients can be modified to result in a pizza quesadilla with less calories if preferred.

---

Ingredients

• 2 tortillas
• 3-4 tablespoons of pizza sauce
• 1/3 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 5-8 pepperoni slices
• ½ teaspoon of butter

Utensils Needed

• Frying pan, spatula, measuring cups, knife or pizza cutter

Steps

1. Gather your ingredients and utensils
2. Warm up the frying pan to a medium heat
3. Add butter to the pan and cover all areas
4. Take one tortilla and in order add the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni slices
5. Place the second tortilla on top and set everything on the frying pan
6. Cook for 2-3 minutes and flip onto the other tortilla using the spatula and let sit for another 2-3 minutes
7. Cook until both sides are lightly browned, and cheese is melted
8. Cut into slices if preferred.

A short video below to give a visual example of how to make the pizza quesadilla:

---

Works Cited

[1]: A. Turnbull, “Quick and Easy Pizza Quesadillas – Alex Turnbull, RD,” The Family Nutritionist, Nov. 10, 2023. https://myfamilynutritionist.com/pizzadilla/ [Accessed Oct. 25, 2024].

[2]: M. P. Marino and M. S. Crocco, “Pizza: Teaching US History through Food and Place,” The Social Studies, vol. 106, no. 4, pp. 149–158, May 2015, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/00377996.2015.1020354.

[3]: M. Martynuska, “Cultural Hybridity in the USA exemplified by Tex-Mex cuisine,” International Review of Social Research, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 90–98, Nov. 2017, doi: https://doi.org/10.1515/irsr-2017-0011