Pizza Quesadillas with Dipping Sauce

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Cheesy, melty Pizza Quesadillas are stuffed with mozzarella and pepperoni and dipped in a flavorful herb-infused, homemade pizza sauce for a fun, quick, and easy lunch idea.
from fivehearthome.com

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Ingredients

  • FOR THE DIPPING SAUCE:
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • FOR THE QUESADILLAS:
  • 4 (8-inch) white or whole wheat tortillas
  • 6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 ounces pepperoni, diced

Preparation

Step 1

In a small pot set over medium heat, stir together tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, crushed fennel seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and allow to heat and thicken while making quesadillas, stirring occasionally.
Assemble quesadillas by out two tortillas on a cutting board. Sprinkle EACH tortilla with 3 ounces of shredded mozzarella and 2 ounces of diced pepperoni. Lay the remaining tortillas on top.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Transfer an assembled quesadilla onto the skillet. Cook for a couple of minutes, occasionally lifting edge of quesadilla to check color of underside, until tortilla begins to turn golden and cheese starts to melt. Carefully flip quesadilla over and cook for another couple of minutes or until cheese is fully melted. Remove hot quesadilla to a plate and repeat with second quesadilla. Alternatively, you may cook both quesadillas at the same time on a flat griddle.
Slice each quesadilla into 6 wedges and serve immediately with warm dipping sauce.

Tips, Tricks, & Variations

All measurements are approximate. Use as much cheese, etc., as you like!

The pepperoni I typically buy is very large and I prefer to dice it so that the whole piece doesn't pull out of the quesadilla when taking a bite...but leave it whole if you wish.

Feel free to add any of your favorite pizza toppings to the quesadilla filling!

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