Sheet Pan Quesadillas with Spicy Ranch

​Thanksgiving 2021 is in the books and I sincerely hope that all of you were able gather with loved ones and feast on your favorite foods.  As for me, I spent the day in my happy place, (aka. my new kitchen) surrounded by my family - doing what I love - cooking up delicious sustenance.  What could be better than that?  🤣 

Thanksgiving at my house is very traditional.  Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans. 🍗It's not that I haven't tried to mix up the menu from year to year.  My family are true traditionalists when it comes to the Thanksgiving menu though.   They actually staged an intervention after they caught wind of a rumor that I was going to serve sweet potatoes instead of mashed potatoes one year. 🥔 No joke - they even conferenced in my mom on the phone. 😅

One advantage of being the cook on Thanksgiving is all of the leftovers that go along with hosting.  😂 In my world - there's no such thing as too much leftover turkey.  We had a small gathering at our house yesterday, but I still bought and cooked 2 turkeys.  What can I say?  I love turkey leftovers.  Sandwiches, soups, casseroles and salads - I love them all.  

What are your favorite ways to enjoy that delicious turkey after the holidays?   These are mine.  

Turkey Tortilla Poblano Soup

Turkey Chili

Fruity Turkey Salad

Turkey Melt Panini

Turkey Wraps

Turkey Enchiilada Casserole

Black Bean Turkey Enchiladas

4 Chese Turkey Pasta

Turkey and Dressing Casserole

Click on any of the pictures above for a link to the blog post with that recipe.  I probably should mention that I use turkey and chicken interchangeably in my recipes.   So if you're feeling brave, type the word chicken or turkey into the search bar for an overwhelming flood of recipes for your delicious leftover turkey.  😉

This year, I'm adding Sheet Pan Quesadillas with Spicy Ranch to my list of post Thanksgiving Day turkey leftover recipes.  I don't know why I never thought of making these like this before but it's a genius way to serve quesadillas to a crowd without having to stand at the stove frying individual tortillas.  Baking one giant quesadilla in the oven and then slicing it into individual portions for serving is cooking efficiency at it's finest.  

Sheet Pan Quesadillas with Spicy Ranch
7 (8-10”) flour tortillas
1 cup mozzarella, grated
1 cup colby jack cheese, grated
2 large avocados, thinly sliced
½ cup green onions, minced
1 cup shredded cooked chicken

Spicy Ranch
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tablespoons cilantro, finely minced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2  Tablespoons lime juice

Arrange 4 tortillas around a small baking sheet, hanging over the edge.

Lay 2 halved tortillas in the center.  

Top with grated cheese. 

Layer chicken over cheese. 

Sprinkle with avocados and green onions. 

Fold overhanging tortillas over filling. 

Place final 2 tortillas in center.  Spray with baking spray. 

Place a baking sheet on top of quesadilla.  Bake 20 minutes at 400.

Uncover and bake 5 more minutes. 

Combine ranch ingredients in food processor and process until smooth. 

Slice quesadilla into squares. 

Serve with ranch. 

I have mixed emotions about this recipe.  I'm happy that I found it and figured out how to make quesadillas for a crowd - all at one time.  But, I'm also frustrated that it took me a full 50 years to discover it.  🙃

​Ciao!

Click here for a printable version of this recipe