A plate of golden-brown quesadillas with a side of sliced lemon and lime wedges. The quesadillas are stuffed with chunks of tilapia fillets, sliced red bell pepper, and onions. The dish is garnished with chopped cilantro and served on a white plate

Tilapia Fajita Quesadilla Recipe

Welcome, food adventurers! It’s Gourmet Gus on another stop in the world of food. Are you a looking for a delicious quick and easy recipe for the weeknights? Perhaps looking for an easy recipe to cook with kids? Look no further, because I have a family-friendly recipe that is quick, easy, and perfect for picky eaters. Surely, these mouth-watering Tilapia Fajita Quesadillas are ideal for the whole family to relish together. To begin with, let’s start looking into what makes this Tilapia Fajita Quesadilla recipe perfect for your weeknight meal.

These quesadillas are not only tasty, but they are also a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Not only can they help you chop veggies, but also help sprinkle cheese, and fold the tortillas. This recipe is simple enough that even the littlest chefs can lend a hand. So, you can get a tasty meal on the table in no time, and your kids get to learn cooking skills while helping in the kitchen.

So, let’s get started on this flavorful and easy-to-make quesadilla recipe. And, these Tilapia Fajita Quesadillas will be a hit with the entire family and even sneaks in vegetables and protein for those picky eaters!

Origin of Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a beloved staple in Mexican cuisine for centuries. Generally the origins are attributed to the Mexican state of Sinaloa, the classic dish consists of tortillas and ooey gooey melty cheese filling. Although, quesadillas have evolved into a versatile dish that can be filled with anything from meat to veggies and seafood. Tilapia, a mild-tasting fish, is a great addition to the classic dish due to its versatility, pairing well with a variety of flavors and seasonings. When cooked just right, tilapia adds a delicate, flaky texture to quesadillas, complementing the melted cheese and crispy tortilla perfectly. Try making this Tilapia Fajita Quesadilla recipe with your kids for a quick and easy family-friendly meal, all while paying homage to this classic dish.

Key Ingredients and Flavors of Tilapia Fajita Quesadilla Recipe

Even though this Tilapia Fajita Quesadilla recipe is a delicious twist on the classic Mexican dish, it is are also packed with flavor and nutrients. So, let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients and their roles in this family-friendly recipe:

Kid friendly cooking stepsTilapia: This mild-tasting fish that adds a delicate, flaky texture. Additionally, Tilapia adds a sneaky protein for those picky eaters.
Kid friendly cooking stepsRed Bell Pepper: Adds a sweet, slightly smoky flavor and a crunchy texture to the filling.
Kid friendly cooking stepsOnion: Brings a slightly sweet and savory flavor to the filling, balancing the other flavors.
Kid friendly cooking stepsPaprika: Adds a subtle smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the dish.
Kid friendly cooking stepsCumin: Brings a warm, earthy flavor to the dish.
Kid friendly cooking stepsFresh Cilantro: Adds a bright, herbaceous flavor to the filling.
Kid friendly cooking stepsCheddar Cheese: Provides a rich and creamy flavor that binds the filling together.
Kid friendly cooking stepsFlour Tortillas: The base of the dish, crispy and golden brown on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside.
Kid friendly cooking stepsLemon and Lime: Provides a bright acidity that balances the other flavors in the dish.

Served on the Side

The Gourmet Gus Tilapia Fajita Quesadilla recipe is a filling meal on it their own, but you can make them even more satisfying by serving them with a few delicious sides. In addition, for a traditional Mexican flair, you can try serving them with a side of refried beans, guacamole, or salsa. Also, you can serve them with a dollop of sour cream or Greek Yogurt for a health twist. A simple side salad of mixed greens with a citrus vinaigrette also makes a refreshing and light accompaniment.

Kid Friendly Steps for Cooking with Kids

Given that, Cooking with kids is a great way to spend time together and teach valuable life skills, this is the perfect start with a Kid Effort Score of 1 out of 5. The Tilapia Fajita Quesadillas recipe has several steps that are quick, easy, and perfect for kids to assist with. Overall this dish is super friendly for parents who are looking to introduce cooking with kids.

Parent helping child assemble Tilapia Fajita quesadilla recipe. Adding cheese to the bottom layer.
Parent helping child assemble Tilapia Fajita quesadilla recipe. Adding tilapia and fajita mixture to the layer of cheese

Attention Parents Cooking with Kids!

Parents should use their own discretion in which steps their kids perform and should always prioritize kitchen safety!
Kid friendly cooking stepsSeason the tilapia with salt and pepper (Kid Effort 1 out 5)
Kid friendly cooking stepsSlicing Vegetables (Kid Effort 2 out 5)
Kid friendly cooking stepsBreaking tilapia into chunks using a fork (Kid Effort 1 out 5)
Kid friendly cooking stepsAdding vegetables to the skillet (Kid Effort 2 out 5)
Kid friendly cooking stepsAdding seasoning, juice, & Cilantro to mixture (Kid Effort 1 out 5)
Kid friendly cooking stepsAssembling the Quesadillas (Kid Effort 2 out 5)
Kid friendly cooking stepsSlicing the remaining lime and lemon into wedges (Kid Effort 2 out 5)
Kid friendly cooking stepsCutting the finished quesadilla with pizza wheel and plating (Kid Effort 1 out 5)
A plate of golden-brown quesadillas with a side of sliced lemon and lime wedges. The quesadillas are stuffed with chunks of tilapia fillets, sliced red bell pepper, and onions. The dish is garnished with chopped cilantro and served on a white plate

Tilapia Fajita Quesadilla Recipe

A Quick and Easy Recipe that is a twist on the classic family friendly meal. Perfect for any kid (picky eaters included)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • 1 Fish Turner Optional, but makes turning fish easer
  • 1 Skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Lbs. Tilapia Fillets
  • 1 Tbsp Neutral Oil Avocado Oil is perfect!
  • 1 Each Red Bell Pepper Sliced into Strips
  • 1 Each Small Onion Sliced into Strips
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • to taste Salt & Pepper
  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro
  • 1 Cup Shredded Cheese
  • 8 Each Small Flour Tortillas
  • 1 Each Lemon
  • 1 Each Lime

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
    1 Tbsp Neutral Oil
  • While oil is heating up season the tilapia with salt & pepper
    1 Lbs. Tilapia Fillets, to taste Salt & Pepper
  • Add the tilapia to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Set aside tilapia on a plate.
  • Add the sliced bell pepper and onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about5-7 minutes.
    1 Each Red Bell Pepper, 1 Each Small Onion
  • While the vegetables are cooking chunk the tilapia into small bite sized pieces
  • Add the tilapia back to the pan and bring back up to heat with the vegetables
  • Add the paprika, cumin, and garlic powder to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
    1 tsp Paprika, 1 tsp Cumin, 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • Squeeze juice of half a lemon and half a lime over the tilapia and vegetable mixture in the skillet.
    1 Each Lemon, 1 Each Lime
  • Add the chopped cilantro, reserving 1 or 2 Tbsp for garnish, and stir until thoroughly mixed.
    1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro
  • Assemble the quesadillas in layers starting with the tortilla then adding cheese, then tilapia fajita mixture, and topping with cheese again.
    8 Each Small Flour Tortillas, 1 Cup Shredded Cheese
  • Lastly top the assembled quesadilla with another tortilla.  Repeat 4-5 times.
  • Place the quesadillas back in the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes on each side, until the tortilla is crispy and golden brown. Weigh down the quesadilla with another pan for extra crispness!
  • Cut the remaining half of the lemon and lime into wedges. Serve the quesadillas with lemon and lime wedges on the side.
  • Serve with refried beans, guacamole, or salsa for a traditional flavor. Or, add some sour cream or Greek yogurt for an extra tangy creamy twist.

Notes

Keyword 30 minute meal, Fish Recipe, Quesadilla, Quick and Easy Recipe

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