• Meatball Quesadillas with Cilantro Cream

  Filed under Main Dishes - Beef
  Jan 26
  I’m pretty good about using up ingredients around the kitchen. But leftovers are usually eaten as leftovers. The same thing the next day, just reheated. Boring, I know. That’s why I was really excited when I saw this recipe, along with the meatloaf from yesterday. This is such a great way to turn the leftovers from one meal into something completely different! I’ve had my fair share of quesadillas, but before this recipe, there were none with meatloaf in them. But now my view of leftovers has changed, because you can very well have meatloaf in your quesadillas, and you would never know that this came from leftovers!

  Meatball Quesadillas with Cilantro Cream
  adapted from Food Network Magazine December 2009

  Serves 4

  total cooking time: 30 minutes

  For the Cilantro Cream
  1/2 cup sour cream
  1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  juice of 1/2 lime
  few drops of Tobasco

  For the Quesadillas
  2 cups leftover Mini Skillet Meatloaves, crumbled
  1 14.5-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  1 scallion, chopped
  1 teaspoon ground cumin
  1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  salt and pepper
  2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  8 8-inch flour tortillas
  2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

  Make the cilantro cream: Puree the sour cream, cilantro, lime juice and hot sauce in a blender until smooth.

  Prepare the quesadillas: Mix the meatloaf, beans, scallion, cumin, cayenne, and salt and black pepper to taste in a bowl.

  Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place a tortilla in the pan, sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese, then top with one-quarter of the meat mixture and another 1/4 cup cheese. Top with another tortilla and cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining butter, tortillas and filling. Cut the quesadillas into wedges and serve with the cilantro cream.

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  14 Comments

14 Responses to “Meatball Quesadillas with Cilantro Cream”

1. 

   Michelle said on January 26th, 2010 at 2:32 pm

   great recipe. I might have to make it Italian with meatballs, sauce and provolone cheese.

   leaving my link because wordpress is acting up for the OpenID thing.

   http://italianmamachef.wordpress.com

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2. 

   Valerie said on January 26th, 2010 at 5:36 pm

   This looks really great. And it seems pretty hearty with your fork next to your plate. I like that the meatloaf can be used for 2 different meals.

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3. 

   Kat said on January 26th, 2010 at 5:54 pm

   Yum…sounds like a yummy way to use up leftovers. I can't stand eating the same thing over and over again!

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4. 

   Rosa's Yummy Yums said on January 26th, 2010 at 6:07 pm

   Very scrumptious! I love that idea and the cilantro cream!

   Cheers,

   Rosa

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5. 

   teresa said on January 26th, 2010 at 7:16 pm

   fantastic! this reminds me of robin…what's her name from the food network. she did a lot of transforming from one meal to the next. i love that cilantro cream!

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6. 

   grace said on January 26th, 2010 at 7:17 pm

   quesadillas are a staple for this gal–so many possibilities for delicious fillings, and you've hit upon a good one! however, what entices me most is the cilantro cream–drool central!

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7. 

   Kim said on January 26th, 2010 at 8:09 pm

   sign me up for a meatloaf quesadilla. it sounds delicious. glad to see it came from fn magazine. It's one of my favorite mags.

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8. 

   Spryte said on January 26th, 2010 at 8:45 pm

   Mmmm… those sound delicious!! I love quesadillas and would never have thought to use leftover meatloaf in them!

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9. 

   ARLENE said on January 26th, 2010 at 8:46 pm

   Just found your blog and wanted to say I like what I've seen. This meatball quesadilla is a great for a weeknight meal.

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10. 

    Bellini Valli said on January 26th, 2010 at 9:52 pm

    Now this is the perfect way to use meatloaf leftovers:D

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11. 

    Sook said on January 27th, 2010 at 2:27 am

    Okay, this recipe has all my favorite things! I love the sound of cilantro cream. Mmm!

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12. 

    kitchen table said on January 27th, 2010 at 5:35 am

    This is a great recipe and it is healthy! The meatloaf is what I like because it can be used in two meals.

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13. 

    The Double Dipped Life said on January 27th, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    I do this all of the time with leftover meatloaf! The Cilantro Cream sauce sounds divine though!

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14. 

    Darius T. Williams said on January 27th, 2010 at 7:23 pm

    Oh yes! I LOVE THIS! I so love when people can use ingredients in their fridge and come up with classics. This is a winner winner…meatball dinner! Or snack! Or lunch! Well, you get the idea!

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