I was tired and grumpy and terribly hot here at home and all I could dream about was working in an air conditioned office. The only benefit to working in an office apart from office birthday cakes. Even in the heat I was thinking about dinner (you can’t keep a good eater down). I wanted to make something good with the mince I had taken out of the freezer but a ragu seemed a bit too Wintery and jaffles although very tempting, weren’t quite hitting the spot. I wanted cake too but this was not practical as I wasn’t in the mood for creaming and all of that production until it hit me when surveying the tortillas that I had in my fridge. I could make a quesadilla cake! I usually use chorizo or ham in a quesadilla but the mince would make it easier to cut.
I was inspired by a friend’s lasagne that she had made quickly using tortillas and I figured that putting it in a spring form pan would eliminate some of the issues that she had getting it out of the baking dish. And I do recall seeing an Oprah episode where a woman had invented a lasagne pan with collapsible sides much like a spring form- I had always hoped that this would make its way down here. I know I know, this isn’t particularly photogenic but I like to think that it has a certain layer cake like quality. But trust in that it tastes delicious and is a good way to feed hungry mouths. The best part of it is that it can easily be made with a multitude of other fillings, whatever you’d put into a quesadillas which can be as simple as cheese and baby spinach for vegetarians or you could do a lovely chorizo, cheese and baby spinach for a bit of spicy meaty goodness.
And even though I don’t have any little ones running around the place here, I have the feeling that there would be no problem getting them to eat this. Mexican food is of course quite fun for children but telling them that they’re having cake for dinner will quite possibly, make a child’s day.
So tell me Dear Reader, what food makes your day?
Quesadilla Cake
Adapted from Taste.com.au
- 800g lean, good quality beef mince
- 2x 420g/ 2 x 15 ozs tins of red kidney beans, drained
- 1 onion, diced
- 140g/5ozs tin of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
- A few drops of Tabasco (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup bottled salsa
- salt and pepper
- 3 flour tortillas
- 2 ripe avocadoes
- 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
- A squirt of lime juice
- 2 tablespoons light sour cream (it’s like drinking Diet Coke with your meal ok?)
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
- 2 cups grated cheese
Round spring form tin 21cms in diameter to fit flour tortilla.
1. Make seasoned beef mince by frying the diced onion in 1 tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan until onion is softened and translucent. Add beef mince crumbling it with your hands and then cook until browned all over (about 10 minutes). Add cumin, Tabasco sauce and tomato paste and cook for a further 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and leave to cool slightly.
2. Preheat oven to 210C/410F. Take a spring form pan that fits the size of your flour tortilla. Line with parchment and place a flour tortilla on the bottom. Place a handful of the baby spinach leaves on the bottom and then sprinkled with cheese. Dividing the mince into two, place a half of the mince mixture. Repeat with another step of baby spinach and cheese and the remaining mince. Top third and final tortilla with cheese (not too much though or it will be hard to slice it) and bake in oven for 20 minutes until the cheese is golden and melted. Cool for 15 minutes.
3. While it is cooling, make the quick guacamole by mashing the avocadoes, sweet chilli sauce and lime juice. Place avocado pip in centre of guacamole and cover with cling film directly on top of the surface of the guacamole. When quesadilla cake has rest, place some baby spinach leaves on top and serve with sour cream and guacamole. Serve in wedges like a cake!
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85 Comments | Add your own
I don’t find your quesadillas ugly! A scrumptious speciality! I am a big fan of all things Tex-Mex…
Cheers,
Rosa
Chocolate always makes my day. Always. I’ve giving up sugar in April though {have become a little too addicted to it} so hopefully I can be happy without it. x
Oh Lorraine, ANY food makes my day! Especially when I have to sit in an office all day!
I love the idea of this cake!
Are you kidding? That is photogenic, particularly with the novelty value!
What food makes my day? At the moment, gelato, gelato, gelato. But if I’m completely honest, a part of me can’t wait to get home in two weeks and have actual nourishing good-for-me foods again… chickpeas and brussel sprouts, I long for you a little bit…
Very fun creation. I like Mexican food as it is nice and easy. Late night nachos are a shameful act that I sometimes indulge in.
The idea of eating cake for dinner, or any meal at all, certainly appeals to me
I’ll have to try it out on my children. It’s pretty easy to make my day with food. The other day a friend left a piece of white chocolate cheesecake with turkish delight on my desk as a surprise and I was happy for hours.
Let me tell you this DOES look delicious in the photograph! Not ugly at all. It’s a super idea (I have not yet seen a springform lasagna pan) and I love every single ingredient. Am copying this right now!
It looks pretty damn fine to me, I’d never call that ugly.
It looks delicious. As they said on Masterchef, it’s hard to make brown foods photogenic!! Although for some reason chocolate always looks good…
What a fun dinner! And creative too – love it!
Lorraine,
There is nothing ugly about your dinner. You’ve presented it quite nicely as a matter of fact. A complete meal in a “cake”. Yummy.
Have you tried making this with corn tortillas? I love their flavor/texture, especially when they are backed. They wouldn’t hold their shape as nicely though unless you fried them which I have been known to do. Makes it a Mexican Pizza (at least that’s what all the Mexican restaurants by my house call it)
*baked not backed
Looks delish – I’m impressed how well it all held together!
Haha Quesadilla cake! Sounds all wrong like my sweet potato cheesecake hehe but hey it looks pretty darn good and bet it tasted great too! Stay cool
When it’s swelteringly 40 degrees outside, I only go to one place to cool down: the cinemas with a big cup of slushees! This is a great way of serving quesadilla especially in parties or when showing off to friends and family! How was it when sliced down… did it stay intact and in shape?
It looks elegant, NQN. Not ugly at all!
Seriously yummy looking. What a good idea.
This looks gorgeous to me!! I want a big slice!
By the way, SO FUNNY that you made this look like a layer cake . . . wait ’til you see the post I have going live tomorrow! I have a non-cake “layer cake” as well
Great minds think alike!
Great idea – I love Mexiacn food (especillay when it involves avocado…)
I like that this recipe has included the spinach leaves (so you can convince yourself you’re getting your veg!)
This looks delicious Lorraine – I could easily have this for brekky (which is now).
Food that makes my day – chocolate has to top the list, but I could go on forever. Food makes my day!
You are crazy.. this looks so good and I am making it for dinner tomorrow.. I have everything I need in the freezer. Now, how about a recipe for the extra pita breads I have???
wow! that looks AMAZING Lorraine! (: Been craving for mexican for the longest time! Got to try this! hehe What makes me happy especially on a long, hot day is cupcakes! I know it’s not solid food, but nothing makes me smile like a beautiful and yummy cupcake! (:
GENIUS!! It looks amazing and I bet it tasted divine! I just had breakfast but I really could go with a slice of your quesadilla cake
Looks very tasty, Ole’
My mum’s gnocchi make my day, Always!
Looks yummy!! Will definitely try the recipe. You always good and reliable formula. Thanks for sharing
Mmm… tortilla pie is what that’s known as here. May have to call it cake and see if it makes it disappear any quicker. Although it seems to go pretty quickly already, and there are never leftovers… *lol*
As for food that makes my day… my favourite at the moment is panfried lamb leg steaks (cooked rare) which are sliced on top of moroccan couscous. Or lamb cutlets with a creamy garlic and parmesan mash (plenty of gravy for that, thanks!) and steamed carrots and snowpeas.
Yummy! I have to try this. Just waiting for the cooler weather.
SSG xxx
oh wow, this is fantastic! Not ugly at all! I am very impressed at how well it holds together.
Foods that make my day include frosty fruits, vegemite on toast, and portuguese tarts… Not all at once.
Lorraine, just when I think I’ve seen it all I visit your blog and am blown away by your creativity! I think this looks gorgeous, and more importantly, delicious!
You’re making me hungry =( I am so not inspired by the muslie bars sitting in my drawer but am trying to refrain from running down to the cafe and getting a greasy breakfast. Awesome idea though =)
im totally craving some mexicano now
If that’s ugly, I’d like all my dishes to turn out ugly.
It’s making me hungry…
Looks wonderful – how did it go with the eating part? Was it messy to break up the tortillas?
I made a more traditional layer cake on the weekend too (chocolate and raspberry) – I think there really can’t be enough layer caking!
Wow that looks incredible….my partner would just be beside himself if he saw that (he is uncontrollably addicted to quesadillas)…imagine presenting it to him in cake form!
I wonder if like a lasagne it would hold/cut better if let to rest overnight? Not that it would last that long in my house…
Props for the perfectly scooped ball of sour cream too!
This looks so good & simply to make! I definitely want to give it a try. But did it remain cake-like when sliced? Or did it spill everywherE?!
I love Quesadila cake!!
YUM!
FYI – I don’t know about a lasagne tin with collapsable sides but I have seen a brownie pan!!
This reminds me of the tortilla pie/lasagna thing I did agggges ago. I’ve been meaning make it again, having cravings… this makes me want to make it even more!
It is photogenic too
You’re right! My kids would love to eat cake for dinner – even one with meaty goodness in it! If I hadn’t already started the slow cooker (which makes my day as I avoid cooking during the witching hour!) then this would be dinner tonight, it’s on the menu tomorrow though
Food like this makes me crave colder weather. Although it’s dreary and drizzley here today, it’s still warm and humid! At the moment, I crave stews and soups – I made a Japanese curry last night and that really hit the spot. But I can’t wait to be able to make stews like my favourite beef in beer for my hubby – I find cold weather cooking feels that much more nurturing!
This looks absolutely moreish Lorraine! I wish I had this as my wedding cake instead of the three layered buttercake with fondant! Haha… truly!
Now this is one cake I could eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner and get away with it! It’s definitely NOT ugly, more like tempting!
A side of sour cream please!
Haha, I like your expression ugly but delicious.. I think a better way to put it would be ‘rustic’
Looks very tasty! Definitely would choose Quesadilla Cake over a jaffles any day!
Always looking for new things to do with Mince! Love this & will be making it over Easter, my husband will love it, huge Mex fans. Thanks again for a brilliant easy recipe
That looks amazing. A superb dinner idea- with a little guacamole on the side.
Think I will cook that this weekend.
You call this ugly? Try photographing a pan of brownies. Quite honestly, I think brownies is possibly the ugliest-yet-most-delicious of the sweets kind.
Awesome post, Lorraine. I actually had made this before, just didn’t realize it had a name!
oh man! this looks awesome! not ugly at all!
This would be fun for Cinco de Mayo that’s coming up.
So impressive Lorraine! I think my bf would like this kind of thing very much. Now only to find out if the tortillas I can buy at the local IGA are the same size as my springform pan. hmmmmmm
I love ugly looking food! They taste the best!
oh nigella, that is not an ugly cake at all! it’s very creative. you definitely had your cake.. and ate it, too!
I made this dish the other day too. I had taken out mince & it was so hot,will summer ever end.
So I had the same idea, except I rolled them up.
I really like your idea, of doing it like a cake.
We used to make a similar thing at a deli I used to cook at – thanks for the reminder, I might make this at easter and springform – the way of the future. I also made a savoury cake yesterday, spinach cake from the website Sweet Amandine which made me pretty happy (felt like Popeye) but maybe that’s just because I was eating it with nachos with lots of mince, cheese and guacamole, hehe.
amazing. this reminds me of lasagne! mmm.
haven’t tried anything like this before.
love the presentation!
I love the sour cream on top!
ummm this does look very tempting – loving the flavors!
I *love* quesadillas, so that ‘cake’ just looks divine to me =)
It’s not that UGLY.. only so much you can do with beans, etc.. = ) I LOVE your idea of having it in cake form though, seriously!
SQUEEE! We make this all the time!
With a layer of sour cream under the cheese and no meat. OMG YUM!
Quesadilla cake – I love it what a hilarious idea!
I think this is not ugly at all. I would certainly eat this. I wonder what it would be like with Gruyere. Hmm I might give it a go..
i don’t find this to be ugly at all, but even if i did, i’d still devour it. it’s a great idea and a wonderful execution. the resulting digestive woes that i’d surely suffer would be well worth it.
Now, this is my kinda cake!
Not photogenic? How can you say that??? It’s gorgeous, especially love the scoop of sour cream “icing” on top of the basil leaves!
This looks too yummy but I have just made a resolution to go on diet today – in an attempt to get rid of some of my stubborn cellulite…
Actually, I think that “cake” is rather photogenic! It certainly made me hungry!! I love any Mexican food, so this idea is a winner for me. Love it!
It’s been quite a while since I came to visit!
This tortilla cake is just fabulous.I love the Tabasco and all the other tasty ingredients you injected into this cake. This is a whole lotta yum!
Honestly, this is an amazing dish.
I love the simplicity and all the flavours you put, and its better than building one by one and flipping the pan to toast the other side… I love this . and I can eat it any time… Great posting…
it looks gorgeous… i love it ,its not ugly
That is so not ugly. In fact it looks absolutely scrumptious! I would happily scoff that down any day.
I’ve made something similar called a tortilla pie before and it was sooo good – although mine looked nowhere near as good as yours! How did you get it so smooth around the edges?
this has made my week!
You have no idea how perfectly this melds my love of cake and my husbands love of mexican food.
It’s our anniversary this weekend and this is the perfect dish!
Thank you so much
I find this hilarious. I was staring at the first photo for quite a while trying to figure out what the components were, as I thought that you had very cleverly made a sweet cake that only looked like it was savoury, and I was amazed at just how cheesy the cheese looked, and how meaty the meat looked. I guess that’s a good thing seeing as they actually are meat and cheese
I feel it’s missing a candle though, and possibly some hungry workmates impatiently standing in the background, to really finish off the office cake feeling.
That is AWESOME!
Hi Rosa-Aww thankyou Rosa!
Hi fat mum slim-Oh good on you! Can’t wait to hear all about it and how it goes
x
Hi Maria-hehe you are so funny!
Hi Hannah-thankyou so much!
And macarons in France! I like your diet! 
Hi Mark-Thankyou!
hehe no need to be shameful at all! 
Hi Amy-Me too!
How cute and what a nice friend (and I’d be the same too!) 
Hi Barbara-Thankyou SO much!
I was hoping that it would be for sale already as I wanted to get one (it’s a great idea!) 
’
Hi Sarah-Aww thanks Sarah!
Hi Miss Emma Louise-Thankyou! Yes it’s so true
Hi Lisa-Thankyou so much!
Hi Tuty-Thankyou Tuty!
Hi Deanna-I haven’t but it sounds great!
Oooh thankyou for the idea!
Hi Celia-Thankyou so much, so was I
Hi catty-hehe thankfully it isn’t sweet
Hi Trisha-haha I like your plan!
Yes it’s a great party food and as long as you cool it slightly it and don’t top it with too much cheese then it slices very easily 
Hi Anh-thanks so much Anh!
Hi Bev-Why thankyou!
Hi Julie-it’s yours!
Haha I can’t wait to see yours! 
Hi Cherry-hehe me too! Avocado and sour cream
Haha exactly! 
Hi Cakelaw-Hehe good idea!
Yes I couldn’t agree more.
Hi deana-haha why thankyou!
I think you could do it with pita breads too or pita bread pizza?
Hi Lianne-Thanks so much!
Aww cupcakes do put a smile on the face don’t they! 
Hi Julie-Thankyou! Hehe now that is a lovely compliment!
Hi Matilda-I bet you make a great one too!
Hi Ting’er-Thankyou! Aww you are too kind
Hi Kirsty-ahh really! Hehe it’s all in the name
Yum, they sound delicious! 
Hi Sydney Shop Girl-Yes this is perfect for cooler weather!
xxx
Hi Alex-Thankyou very much!
Yes it holds together well if you use a lot of filling 
Oooh frosty fruits, I love those! 
Hi Faith-Aww thanks so much Faith! you are always so sweet!
Hi angie-hehe sorry about that!
thankyou!
Hi Betty-hehe!
Hi Peter-Aww thanks so much Peter!
Hi Emily-No it was really easy to slice! We just ate it quite late so it was too dark for photos
Sound lovely! 
Hi lori-hehe ooh cool! I love quesadillas too!
yes absolutely it would for sure 
thankyou for noticing! 
Hi Betty-Thankyou so much! Nope it held together as I let it cool
Hi Joy-thanks so much!
Ahh I bet that is quite similar? 
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Hehe thankyou so much!
it’s more moreish isn’t it!
Hi nicoled-Haha I bet if you made a vegetarian version they’d love it too
fantastic, I hope you like it! 
Hi Sian-me too!
And its coming up to some in a few months 
absolutely I couldn’t agree more! 
Hi Trissa-Thankyou!
Hehe now why don’t they offer this up at wedding cake places?
Hi Sweets By Vicky-Aww thankyou so much!
Yes the sour cream is a must!
Hi http://www.brisbanebaker.bl-Why thankyou!
yes jaffles are good but they don’t cake 
Hi Vanessa-Fantastic! I hope you both like it
You’re more than welcome!
Hi cityhippyfarmgirl-Thankyou!
I’d love to know what you think of it! 
Hi Taiko Tari-Hehe yes brownies are hard! Thankyou!
Hi joanne-thankyou so much!
Hi The Duo Dishes-ahh so true!
Hi Esz-Thankyou Esz!
I think they’re all around the same size-between 24 and 25 cms 
Hi Rosa-haha!
Hi Krissy-thankyou! Haha that’s cute!
Hi Portuguese Kitchen-What a coincidence!
Oh they sound like crepes! 
Hi Sasa-Absolutely! The springform makes it so easy to get out
Yum! the perfect accompaniments!
Hi felicia-Yes it’s very much like it but with beans! Thankyou!
Hi Fiona-thankyou!
HI Meeta-thanks very much!
Hi Mowie-Aww thanks Mowie!
Hi Girl Japan-Yes beans aren’t ever going to be photogenic! Thanks1
Hi Kelley-interesting! So you cook the sour cream?
Hi Gourmet Chick-Thankyou!
Hi Katherine-Thanks very much! Sure you could use anything, even mozarella!
Hi grace-hehe thanks Grace! Haha don’t think about that-otherwise when would you eat beans?
Hi Blond Duck-thanks Duckie!
Hi Moya-Hehe thankyou!
The sour cream could be like ice cream on top of the cake! 
Hi shirley-Oh really! Well best of luck!
Hi SarahKate-aww shucks thankyou SarahKate!
Hi Nazarina-Welcome back!
Thankyou!
Hi Arlette-You are too sweet Arlette!
Absolutely and we don’t have to wait between quesadillas 
Hi Su-yin-thanks so much Su-yin!
Hi Sarah-I think that if you use a lot of filling and put it in a springform it helps
Hi Brigitta-Aww thankyou so much! I’m so glad!
Happy anniversary!
Hi Conor-Hehe you are too funny!
Now that would be a rather clever trick (one that I can’t do sadly) 
Haha now why can’t work cakes also be lunch?
Hi Rick-Thankyou so much Rick!
I love the baby spinach and cheese layer – I make this sort of thing occasionally but I call it tortilla stack – I love the idea of calling it a cake and baking it in a spring form cake tin so it has a nice shape – I just do it on a baking tray usually so the edges are nowhere near as pretty as yours
I don’t think this looks ugly at all! It’s beautiful in my eyes! Yum!
Wah… that is a massive Quesadilla cake. I think I would have that for birthday!
If you think its ugly, I’ll have it
. Looks fab to me daaaaahling *kisses* HH
I think it looks SPLENDID!!! I love all the ingredients and this is just so clever.
“2 tablespoons light sour cream (it’s like drinking Diet Coke with your meal ok?) ”
Genius, just genius ;D.
I love this idea, such an easy way to serve chilli to a group too (no faffing with rice). Lovely!
I’m all over the air con (for the 5 days a year we need it here) but I’m also lucky enough to work in an office with a bunch of foodies… there’s nothing like discussing what you’re having for dinner at 10am to make you very, very hungry!
What a fabulous idea – that would be quite something to serve at a dinner party!
This looks delicious! And great presentation!
Ha! I love it! I love cakes that aren’t really cakes. Basically, anything that looks like a cake will make me happy.
Thanks for mentioning an option for (mostly) vegetarian folks. You answered that question before it was even fully formulated in my head. My bf would loves hearty meals of this exact sort.
Hi NQM, Just wanted to let you know I made this last night – as my husband said, it’s just like mexican lasagna..& I have leftovers for lunch. Yummo. I didn’t have the kidney beans at hand so I used chickpeas instead and a chilli mix ( cheating I know) & it worked a treat! Thanks, I’m tackling the Zebra Cheesecake next !
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