Fast, tasty, and simple - these Italian sausage quesadillas feature basic ingredients but a whole lot of flavor for a quick weeknight dinner that hits the spot. Loaded with your favorite kind of Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and more, they'll be on the table in 30 minutes.
If I have ground Italian sausage in the house, odds are it's going to use in pasta or a soup. I'm thinking of my favorite penne alla vodka with sausage or baked Italian sausage meatballs...or sausage tortellini soup and one-pan gnocchi with sausage and broccoli rabe for weeknight-fast dinners. Lots of options!
Those are put together, company-worthy dishes. These Italian sausage quesadillas, on the other hand? This is what I make when I'm out of ideas and oomph and just want to get something on the table in 30 minutes that tastes good. Maybe you could use another quick dinner recipe like that, too?
(Not to say this is a dish meant to hide away and eat shamefully! But this kind of quirky cuisine mash-up isn't exactly one of nonna's classics or anything, you know?)
Note: I've come back to update the photos in this post in August 2026 from its initial publish date in 2015. The yield of this recipe is slightly increased, just to more conveniently use a full 16-ounce package of ground sausage. If you're coming back to this recipe from a saved link, you may recognize one of the original photos I left in at the bottom of this post.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Italian sausage: Use your favorite - pork or turkey, hot, sweet, or mild.
- Tortillas: Again, go with your favorite flour tortillas. My preference is for whole wheat tortillas for the nice fiber boost (these have an 8-inch diameter).
- Roasted red peppers: These marinated, pungent little peppers liven up the sausage filling. Thoroughly pat them dry after you take them out of the jar so they don't sog up your Italian sausage quesadilla. If you'd rather, substitute in oil-packed sun dried tomatoes, also patted dry.
- Mozzarella: I recommend grating a block of cheese yourself versus buying pre-shredded bags for the best melt. Feel free to add in some grated sharp Provolone or Fontina, or supplement with some grated Parmesan.
- Basil: Fresh basil has the best flavor (can't argue with that), but what I used here was lightly-dried basil, found in small cups in the refrigerated herb produce section. The packaging says to use half the amount of fresh basil a recipe calls for. They stay fresh for about a month and the flavor is honestly pretty good! A big help if you're not able to find good-quality fresh basil.
How to Make Italian Sausage Quesadillas
Sauté.
Start by cooking the onion and garlic for a few minutes, then add the ground Italian sausage. Cook and crumble fully, then turn out onto a paper-towel lined plate to drain.
Assemble.
Onto each of 3 tortillas, add ⅓ cup of the cheese, a third of the sausage/onion mixture, a third of the roasted red peppers, and a third of the basil. Top each with another ⅓ cup of cheese then place a top tortilla onto each to cap off the three quesadillas.
Cook.
Wipe out your pan from cooking the sausage and brush the bottom with a little bit of oil. Set over medium heat and once heated, add a quesadilla and cook until both sides are browned and crisp. Repeat for the rest and slice and serve!
Quick Tips and Tricks
- The best quesadilla flipper: I *love* my gigantic turner spatula (paid link) you see in the photo above. It's over six inches wide and while it's billed as being for pancakes, it makes a fabulous flipper for quesadillas, too.
- If you still think flipping quesadillas are messy: You can split the ingredients between six tortillas, only layer them on half of each tortilla so you can fold them over. Two will fit in the skillet at a time. It's easier and you're less likely to lose filling by flipping each quesadilla over the folded side.
- For optimal reheating: Add Italian sausage quesadilla wedges in a single layer in an un-oiled skillet over low heat and cook until crisped again and warmed throughout.
More Italian Sausage Recipes
Did you enjoy this recipe? I’d love for you to leave a star rating and a comment review in the recipe card below!
Italian Sausage Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil more for cooking quesadillas
- Half of a large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced (or more to taste)
- 16 ounces ground Italian sausage pork/turkey, hot, sweet, or mild
- 6 8-inch flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup sliced roasted red peppers patted dry and chopped
- 10-12 fresh basil leaves roughly chopped (about ¼ cup)
- Warm marinara sauce for serving
Instructions
- Set a skillet on the stove top over medium heat. Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil and let heat. Add diced onion and cook 1-2 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add the Italian sausage to the pan. Using a spatula or wooden utensil, break the sausage up into small crumbles and cook fully (no pink remaining). This usually takes around 7-8 minutes for me. Stir periodically to ensure even cooking. Once done, turn out contents of the pan onto a paper towel-lined plate and set aside for now.
- Assemble the three full-sized quesadillas by placing three tortillas flat on plates or a cutting board. To each, evenly scatter ⅓ cup of the cheese (so using up half of the total cheese), one-third of the roasted red peppers, and one-third of the basil leaves. Evenly scatter the remaining 1 cup of cheese over each tortilla filling, then top with the remaining 3 tortillas.
- Wipe out the skillet so you can use it again to cook the quesadillas (be careful - it's hot). Set it over medium heat and brush with a very thin layer of olive oil (or vegetable oil).
- Place the first quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the bottom tortilla has browned and crisped. Brush the top tortilla with a thin layer of oil, then flip with as wide of a spatula as you have. Cook for about 2-3 more minutes, or until the other tortilla has browned and crisped to your liking. Repeat with the second and third quesadillas. Slice each into four pieces using a knife or pizza cutter, and serve with warmed marinara sauce.
Notes
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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 Disclaimer
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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!