Cheesy Bacon Ranch Quesadilla

Featured in Satisfying Main Courses.

A golden tortilla enfolds cheddar and smoky bacon, made extra flavorful with a touch of ranch dressing. Quick and easy to prepare, it cooks in just ten minutes on the stovetop, resulting in a crisp, melty filling. Serve with fresh lettuce and diced tomatoes to add a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy center. Use leftover grilled chicken for even more heartiness, and enjoy with an extra side of cool ranch for dipping. Suitable for beginners and packed with satisfying textures and flavors, it's an ideal lunch or snack.

Barbara Chef
Updated on Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:41:48 GMT
A stack of bacon and lettuce sandwiches. Pin it
A stack of bacon and lettuce sandwiches. | gracefulflavors.com

Cheesy Bacon Quesadilla with Ranch is a fast comfort-food classic that never fails when you want a hot cheesy bite in minutes. Layers of sharp cheddar and crisp bacon ooze together with cool ranch, all bundled up in a golden tortilla and finished with crunchy lettuce and tomatoes for a fresh finish.

I first threw this together after a long day when I had little in the fridge and it hit every craving. Now my sister makes it at college when she wants a taste of home.

Ingredients

  • Flour tortilla: this crisps up beautifully and holds everything inside look for tortillas that feel soft and bendy
  • Butter: this creates those golden crisp spots do not skip or replace with oil if possible
  • Grated cheddar cheese: gives sharpness and perfect melt use a block and grate it for best creaminess
  • Crumbled bacon: creates smoky salty bites cook until really crisp for best texture
  • Ranch dressing: gives that cool tangy flavor homemade or your favorite store brand works
  • Shredded lettuce: gives crunch and makes it feel lighter choose romaine or iceberg for maximum crisp
  • Diced tomatoes: bring fresh juicy flavor pick ripe bright tomatoes and pat them dry

Step-by-Step Instructions

Melt the Butter:
Place your skillet on medium heat and add the butter let it melt fully to coat the pan this step ensures the tortilla crisps instead of sticking
Layer the Quesadilla:
Lay the flour tortilla flat in the skillet cover evenly with cheddar scatter the crumbled bacon all over then drizzle ranch across the top the cheese should extend to the edges so every bite has melt
Cook to Golden:
Let the bottom crisp until deep golden which usually takes three to four minutes the cheese will be melty and the smells irresistible gently flip with a wide spatula and cook the second side
Rest and Serve:
Slide the quesadilla out onto a cutting board and let rest for one minute this prevents the cheese from spilling out once you slice cut into wedges with a sharp knife and pile high with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes add extra ranch for dipping if you like
A stack of bacon and lettuce sandwiches. Pin it
A stack of bacon and lettuce sandwiches. | gracefulflavors.com

When I was a kid bacon was my favorite treat and my dad always let me crumble it myself for the top that hands on moment stuck with me Now I love adding extra crispy pieces for even more crunch My family always asks for this when we want something comforting but not heavy

Storage Tips

Quesadillas are best fresh but leftover wedges keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days To reheat use a skillet on medium heat and press with a spatula so they crispen up again Never microwave unless you are desperate because they lose their crisp

Ingredient Substitutions

If cheddar is not your thing try Monterey Jack for extra melt or even smoked gouda for a richer flavor Turkey bacon tastes just as good or use cooked chickpeas for a veggie twist Greek yogurt with a squeeze of lemon can stand in for the ranch if you run out

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a side of sliced avocado or your favorite salsa for dipping This goes well alongside soup tomato soup is a personal favorite for dipping A simple fruit salad makes it feel like a full meal

A stack of bacon and lettuce sandwiches. Pin it
A stack of bacon and lettuce sandwiches. | gracefulflavors.com

Cultural Context

Quesadillas started as a Mexican classic with just cheese and tortilla but in American kitchens we have added all sorts of fillings I love how this recipe is a bit of both hearty enough for a main meal but still easy enough to make after school or for a midnight snack

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What kind of cheese works best?

Cheddar melts beautifully and offers sharp flavor, but Monterey Jack or a cheese blend also work well.

→ Can I use store-bought bacon bits?

Yes, pre-cooked bacon bits can save time, although freshly cooked bacon provides the best texture and taste.

→ How can I add more protein?

Add sliced or shredded cooked chicken before heating, making the dish even more filling.

→ Is there a vegetarian option?

Skip the bacon and add sautéed mushrooms, peppers, or black beans for a meatless alternative.

→ What are the best toppings for serving?

Shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes offer cool crunch. Extra ranch or salsa makes perfect dips.

Cheesy Bacon Ranch Quesadilla

Cheddar, bacon, and ranch create a savory, melty dish with crisp toppings, ready in just 20 minutes.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Barbara

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 2 Servings (1 large quesadilla cut into wedges)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Quesadillas

01 1 flour tortilla
02 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
03 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
04 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
05 1 tablespoon ranch dressing

→ Toppings for Serving

06 1/2 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
07 1/3 cup diced tomatoes

Instructions

Step 01

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and melt the unsalted butter until just foaming.

Step 02

Lay the flour tortilla flat in the pan. Evenly distribute grated cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon over the tortilla, then drizzle with ranch dressing.

Step 03

Allow the tortilla to cook until the underside turns golden brown and the cheese begins to melt, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 04

Carefully flip the quesadilla and continue cooking until the second side is browned and the filling fully melted, approximately 2-3 more minutes.

Step 05

Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and place on a cutting board. Let rest for one minute, then slice into wedges.

Step 06

Arrange quesadilla wedges on a plate. Top with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes. Serve immediately; optional extra ranch dressing for dipping.

Notes

  1. For additional protein, add cooked, sliced or shredded chicken to the filling. Leftover grilled chicken integrates well.

Tools You'll Need

  • Nonstick skillet
  • Spatula
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains milk (cheese, ranch dressing, butter)
  • Contains egg (ranch dressing)
  • Contains gluten (flour tortilla)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 410
  • Total Fat: 27 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
  • Protein: 17 g