By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 4
324 cal · 20 min
Cheesy Brown Rice Quesadillas
Recipe GLPR12fffb8bd49622
Golden, crispy flour tortillas stuffed with warm seasoned brown rice, melted cheese, and zesty salsa. These savory quesadillas are a quick, satisfying appetizer or snack that comes together in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients.
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Ingredients
1 cup water
1/2 cup instant brown rice
1/2 cup salsa
4 flour tortillas, 8-inch
1/2 cup shredded Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
cooking spray
Directions
Pour the water into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the instant brown rice, stir well, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10-12 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
Remove the pan from heat and let the rice cool for 2-3 minutes.
Transfer the cooked rice to a bowl and stir in the salsa until well combined.
Lay one tortilla flat on a clean work surface. Spoon one-quarter of the rice-salsa mixture onto the left half of the tortilla, then sprinkle one-quarter of the shredded cheese over the rice. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling. Repeat with the remaining three tortillas.
Lightly spray a 9-inch skillet with cooking spray and place it over medium-low heat until hot. Working one at a time, transfer a folded quesadilla to the skillet. Lightly spray the top surface with cooking spray and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Carefully flip and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes more, until the cheese is completely melted. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining quesadillas.
Cut each quesadilla in half and serve warm with additional salsa and sour cream on the side, if desired.
Comments
This recipe requires pre-cooked brown rice, but the stated 20 minutes cannot include cooking rice from scratch, which needs 45 minutes minimum—budget closer to an hour total or use leftover rice. All ingredients are readily available at every Charlotte chain, and the cost per serving runs about $1.50–$2.00 depending on cheese choice, making it genuinely budget-friendly for a family of four. The quesadillas are straightforward to assemble and cook, with no fussy technique, though they need attention at the pan to avoid burning and won't keep well as leftovers if reheated—this is a same-night dish best enjoyed fresh.
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