Italian Sausage Quesadillas are loaded with hot Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and more. 30 minutes from start to finish!
And now for something different from My Sequined Life...a quick weeknight meal! Joking. A 30-minute meal to be specific. I'm positively hooked on these speedy weeknight meals and just can't stop. Any extra time I can grab in the evenings after work to plant myself in front of the TV and soak in a little extra Bravo is to be savored.

This 30-minute meal is special (in ways beyond my latest food crush - hot Italian sausage) because it is the first of a series! The first Thursday of every month, myself and a fabulous group of bloggers will be sharing a 30-minute meal recipe.
School is back in session nearly everywhere and inevitably everyone's schedules gets busier. Even if you don't have anyone in your household that attends school and your definition of 'busier' happens to be really digging the fall prime time TV lineup. More time in the evenings is a good thing across the board, right?
Scroll down to the bottom of the post to check out all the links to our first 30-minute meal compilation!
Soooo that brings us to these Italian Sausage Quesadillas. The tortillas of your choice are filled with spicy Italian sausage crumbles, roasted red peppers, mozzarella cheese, and an assortment of other Italian flavor VIPs, all served with a warm marinara dipping sauce.
For me, anything featuring Italian flavors counts as a total comfort food, and these quesadillas do not disappoint. Ever since rediscovering my love for Spicy Sausage Fettuccine with Basil and Parmesan a few weeks ago, I've been stocking up on hot Italian sausage (seriously, you should see my freezer...) and methodically planning all the recipes in which I can use it.
a.k.a. I'm going to use it in all the things.
These quesadillas fall under the category of dishes I've been throwing together for years when I'm fresh out of ideas or a whole bunch of time to make dinner. They're also sub-categorized in the group of recipes I make frequently which for the life of me I cannot remember to share here on the blog. Why is that? I KNOW I'm not the only one who likes tasty, quick, and customizable main dishes.
Quesadillas are pretty simple to make. Cook meat, chop veggies, shred cheese, assemble, and cook on the stove top. I think the hardest part of the whole process is flipping the quesadilla in the skillet without losing the filling. Missing out on any iota of deliciousness these quesadillas have got going on would be sad.
If I'm feeling less than optimistic about my quesadilla flipping on a given day (or making a smaller serving), I add filling to one half of a tortilla and then fold the other half over top, making a half-moon. I can fit two half-moons onto one skillet, and then flip them over the folded side. I'm all about the easy. 🙂
Other Italian Sausage Recipes
- Italian Sausage Soup with Orzo and Spinach
- Gnocchi with Italian Sausage and Homemade Marinara
- Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with White Beans and Sausage
- Hot Sausage and Rosemary Tomato Sauce
Recipe Notes
- Either pork or turkey Italian sausages can be used here. Use what you prefer.
- Each Italian sausage link is approximately four ounces. This recipe calls for sixteen ounces (one pound) of Italian sausage. If you're able to find one pound of ground Italian sausage that'll cut down on a step.
Italian Sausage Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or more to taste)
- 4 hot Italian sausages, casings removed
- 4 8" flour tortillas
- 10 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped (about ¼ cup chopped)
- ½ cup sliced roasted red peppers
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Set a skillet on stove top over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and let heat. Meanwhile, dice half an onion. After 2-3 minutes, lower heat to medium and add garlic. Brown for approx. 20 seconds, then add diced onion and stir. Cover and let saute for about 1-2 minutes.
- Slice each sausage lengthwise and remove the casing from each. Add to pan with the onions. Using tongs or a wooden utensil, break up sausage into small crumbles. Turn up heat to medium-high.
- Occasionally stir sausage and onions to ensure the pieces on the bottom of the skillet do not burn. Return heat to medium after a few minutes. Cook until sausage is fully cooked and brown throughout (no pink remains). The total cooking process for me took about 7-8 minutes. Once done, remove sausage/onion/garlic mixture from pan and drain off the grease.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Take two tortillas, and on each, sprinkle ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon mozzarella cheese, half of the sausage/onion/garlic mixture, ¼ cup roasted red pepper slices, 2 tablespoon chopped basil leaves, and another ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon mozzarella cheese. Top each with another tortilla.
- Place quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 2 or so minutes, or until the bottom tortilla has browned. Spray top tortilla with cooking spray and flip. Cook for about 2 or more minutes, until the other tortilla has browned. Repeat with the second quesadilla if you are not using two skillets. Slice each into four pieces using a knife or pizza cutter. Serve with heated marinara sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition DisclaimerHere are 15 more 30 Minute Meals ready for your next weeknight!
One Pot Chicken Chow Mein from The Recipe Rebel
Easy Skinny Skillet Lasagna from Life Made Sweeter
Kale Caesar Salad with Lemon Parmesan Chicken Strips from Sweet Peas and Saffron
30-Minute Summer Vegetable Tostadas from She Likes Food
Stovetop Broccoli Chicken Mac 'n' Cheese from Whole and Heavenly Oven
Spicy Chili Garlic Grilled Trout from Bake.Eat.Repeat
30-Minute Creamy Pesto Tortellini Skillet from Flavor the Moments
Crunchy Couscous Sweet Potato Salad from Sweet and Delish
30-Minute Chicken Cacciatore from A Latte Food
Pumpkin Penne with Sausage and Sage from Flying on Jess Fuel
Baked Corn, Mushroom and Sausage Risotto from Floating Kitchen
BBQ Chicken Sliders with Cheddar and Spinach from Kristine's Kitchen
Would you like to save this?
Plus receive periodic recipe newsletter emails.
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
These look so awesome!! I love making quesadillas as an easy weeknight meal, and I LOVE the combo of flavors you used. So yummy!
Alyssa says
My quesadilla consumption goes WAY up the second work gets a little hectic. I have no complaints about that, especially when I have Italian sausage on hand. Quick and easy - thanks Jess!
Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
I love quesadillas but I've never thought to add sausage to them! This is one 30-minute meal that I can see myself making again and again!
Alyssa says
Thanks Kristine! I bet you will love them.
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
I'm totally obsessed with Italian sausage, too! It adds such amazing flavor to everything, so I can only imagine how tasty these quesadillas are!
Alyssa says
Yessss I'm still obsessed with Italian sausagse. So easy to brown and throw in anything and everything. Like my rice bowl tonight. 🙂 Thanks Denise!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
This is totally my kind of meal! I think it's even easy enough that I can handle it with both kids wrapped around my legs. Lol
Alyssa says
Haha extra added kitchen challenges. I bet you could do it!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Quesadillas are totally my go-to dinner, but I've NEVER thought to stuff 'em with Italian sausage! You can bet the next time I'm cramming to get dinner on the table, these winners are gonna be on the menu!
Alyssa says
Ooh you have to try it Sarah. I bet you'd love them! The fact that they're speedy and tasty is just a bonus. 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Love 30 minute meals and these quesadillas! They look fantastic and I love the addition of the italian sausage! So ooey gooey and delicious! 🙂
Alyssa says
Thank you Kelly! No surprises we made Italian sausage for dinner again tonight. It's just so good! 🙂
Nora says
I do like to make dishes that take more time to prepare - if I have a babysitter and someone to do the clean-up for me, ha! Weeknights are all about fast prep, especially during the busy fall/holiday season!
And Italian sausage in quesadillas? Sounds like something I'd just devour!
Alyssa says
Haha Nora - yes! No matter what I make I tend to leave a path of dirty dishes and mess to clean up behind me. Sometimes clean up takes as long as it does to make the recipe! Thank you! 🙂
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Clearly I need more quesadillas in my life. And apparently hot Italian sausage too. Sounds like you have enough to share, so I'll be right over! 🙂
Danielle says
These quesadillas are totally calling my name. I need to go buy some spicy italian sausage asap! These look great, Alyssa!
Alyssa says
Thanks Danielle! I'm getting hungry again (post-dinner...) just scrolling through and seeing them again!
Izzy says
I'm totally hooked on quick and easy weeknight meals too! But something I'm even more hooked on is quesadillas!! They are so easy to make and you can load them with cheese and other yummy things like sausage and peppers! I love these 🙂
Alyssa says
Yesss they're so customizable! Definitely one of the most delicious clean-out-the-fridge meals. 🙂
marcie says
These quesadillas look downright delicious, Alyssa! I love Italian sausage, and with fresh mozzarella and basil, I would be in 30 minute meal heaven!
Alyssa says
Thanks Marcie! It's hard to go wrong with Italian sausage, mozzarella, and basil!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
These look perfect! Love all that melty, gooey cheese! Now I am craving quesadillas in the worst way and it is only 9am!!
Alyssa says
Haha every time I look at these pictures I'm like oh I could eat that now...except it's usually early AM or late at night. 🙂 Thanks Mariah!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
Oh man that quesadilla looks awesome. Is it weird that I want a big bite with my coffee. Hehe. Love that it's easy to whip up too! Pinned! 😉
Alyssa says
Hahaha not weird at all Cyndi! I'd join you. 🙂
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
These quesadillas look fantastic! I've never put Italian sausage in a quesadilla before, but that definitely needs to change, they look so good!
Alyssa says
Thanks Stacey - I definitely recommend it! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Wow do these quesadillas look good! I think I have a crush on hot italian sausage too, especially after seeing it in this dish! Love it!
Alyssa says
Thanks Gayle!