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July 3, 2019 Updated September 14, 2020 By Rebecca Entrees

Quick Black Bean and Vegetable Quesadilla

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vegetarian quesadilla on table and in a pan with text overlay
vegetarian quesadilla and salsa on a table with text overlay

This quick black bean and vegetable quesadilla is ready in 10 minutes, it’s delicious, and it’s the perfect vehicle to use up all those veggies sitting in the back of your fridge. Use up what you have on hand in this no-plan quick dinner.

black bean & vegetable quesadilla on table with salsa and toppings

[This recipe was originally posted in July 2019. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

PIN HERE to add to your recipe box.

How it’ll make your life easier

If you’re like me and 1. never seem to have enough room in your fridge and 2. never seem to have enough time to cook AND eat lunch or dinner, this recipe is for you.

It comes together really quickly, has delicious and flavorful ingredients, and you can make a few of them to have for leftovers either at work or anytime the next day. These veggie tacos, breakfast tacos, white bean and farro bowl, pasta with black beans, and burrito bowl with queso are a few other fave pantry dinners.

What makes this quesadilla so good?

  • Onion
  • Bell pepper
  • Garlic
  • Cumin
  • Oregano
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Uncooked tortilla
  • Black beans
  • Lime juice
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Salsa

How do I make this vegetarian quesadilla?

Heat up a medium sized sautee pan over medium heat. Once pan is hot, add 1 tsp oil to pan.

Slice vegetables if they’re not sliced already.

Expert Tip: Grab pre-chopped vegetables (and cheese) to save time.

red bell pepper and onions with spices in sautee pan

Once oil is hot, add 1/4 whole onion (sliced), 1/2 whole (sliced) bell pepper and 1 tsp minced garlic, 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp oregano, and a dash of cayenne pepper over veggies as they cook. Stir often. They’ll soften and become translucent in about 3-4 minutes. Remove from pan.

Expert Tip: Buy a jar of minced garlic to save A LOT of time and effort. Sure it’s not quite as good as fresh, but it’s convenient.

Expert Tip: Use taco or fajita seasonings instead of the spices mentioned above. Sure it’ll taste a bit different, but it’ll still be great!

mashed black beans on half of a tortilla in sautee pan

Heat up tortilla in pan. Flip before first side gets browned. Add cheese and then black beans.

Expert Tip: Mash the beans with a fork so they don’t fall out.

Expert Tip: Try uncooked tortillas, they taste so much better! But if you don’t have any or just like precooked ones, heat them up in the microwave or stove.

tortilla with black beans, sliced red bell peppers and onions in a skillet

Add veggies back to tortilla and squeeze lime over veggies.

black bean and vegetable quesadilla with cheese in sautee pan

Sprinkle 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese over veggies.

Expert Tip: Yes, add more cheese, this will glue the other side to the veggies.

folded vegetarian quesadilla in sautee pan

Fold quesadilla in half and cook until cheese is melted. Enjoy with salsa, guac, and/or sour cream.

Expert tips

  • Buy a jar of minced garlic to save A LOT of time and effort. Sure it’s not quite as good as fresh, but it’s convenient.
  • Grab pre-chopped vegetables (and cheese) to save time.
  • Use taco or fajita seasonings instead of the spices mentioned above. Sure it’ll taste a bit different, but it’ll still be great!
  • I like to mash the beans with a fork so they don’t fall out.
  • Try uncooked tortillas, they taste so much better! But if you don’t have any or just like precooked ones, heat them up in the microwave or stove.
  • Yes, add more cheese, this will glue the other tortilla/side to the veggies.

FAQ

What can I put in a quesadilla?

Some protein (meat &/or beans), vegetables, and CHEESE. Definitely the cheese. You can also add salsa into the quesadilla, but it’s better dipped in salsa.

What veggies go with quesadillas?

Throw whatever veggies you have on hand into the quesadilla. Some great ones are spinach, kale, onions, peppers, zucchini, corn, tomatoes, all of it will taste great.

How do you get quesadillas to stick together?

Add some cheese on both sides of the filling that will touch the quesadilla. Treat the cheese as glue to hold the tortilla to the filling.

How can I repurpose this quesadilla?

  • Turn it into taco salad
  • Wrap it up in a burrito
  • Eat as tacos

What can I make with leftover ingredients?

  • (tortillas, black beans) Egg Roll Up (Ugandan Rolex), Freezer Breakfast Tacos, serve on the side of a Burrito Bowl.
  • (onions) Egg Roll Up, Lentil Stroganoff, Stuffed Squash with Rice & Ground Beef, or Pumpkin Chili
  • (bell peppers) roast with Roasted Winter Vegetables, add to Beef & Broccoli, add to Apple and Cheddar Omelet, Pumpkin Chili, Fig & Prosciutto Pizza, Asian Coleslaw.

Did you make this quesadilla? leave me a comment to share how it turned out!

black bean & vegetable quesadilla on table with salsa and toppings
Print Pin
5 from 7 votes

Black Bean and Vegetable Quesadilla

This quick black bean and vegetable quesadilla is ready in 10 minutes, it's delicious, and it's the perfect vehicle to use up all those veggies sitting in the back of your fridge.
Course dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 quesadilla
Author Rebecca

Equipment

  • medium sautee pan
  • rubber spatula
  • cutting board
  • knife

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1/4 whole sliced onion I used a red onion
  • 1/2 whole sliced red or green bell pepper
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 dash cayenne pepper
  • 1 medium uncooked tortilla
  • 1/3 cup black beans
  • squeeze of lime juice
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • salsa

Instructions

  • Sautee onions, bell pepper, garlic, oregano, cumin, & cayenne pepper in canola oil for about 4-6 minutes, or until veggies are translucent. Add a squeeze of lime juice to cooked veggies. Transfer to plate. Rinse, then gently smash black beans in a bowl. Prepare cheese. 
  • Place one tortilla in saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until one side has been heated, about 2-3 minutes, before it gets brown. Flip tortilla over and quickly add a smear of beans to 1/2 of the tortilla, then veggies and cheese on top of the beans. Fold tortilla in half and cook until cheese is melted and tortilla is browned, about 3-5 minutes. 
  • Cut into 3 slices, serve with your favorite salsa.

Notes

  • Buy a jar of minced garlic to save A LOT of time and effort. Sure it’s not quite as good as fresh, but it’s convenient.
  • Grab pre-chopped vegetables (and cheese) to save time.
  • Use taco or fajita seasonings instead of the spices mentioned above. Sure it’ll taste a bit different, but it’ll still be great!
  • I like to mash the beans with a fork so they don’t fall out.
  • Try uncooked tortillas, they taste so much better! But if you don’t have any or just like precooked ones, heat them up in the microwave or stove.
  • Yes, add more cheese, this will glue the other tortilla/side to the veggies.
  • Other topping ideas: avocado, guacamole, sour cream, or your favorite salsa

Want to get more single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

Categories: Entrees

About Rebecca

Welcome! Iโ€™m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, youโ€™ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

Previous Post: « Grilled Chicken Burgers
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sue | the view from great island says

    August 1, 2018 at 9:16 am

    What a beautiful, simple recipe, I used to make cheese quesadillas for my kids all the time, but this is the grown up version ~ I am so hungry right now!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:35 am

      thanks so much Sue!

      Reply
  2. Deborah Brooks says

    August 1, 2018 at 9:37 am

    Black beans and cheese are one of my favorite combos. I like to make different variations of this depending on what we have around. Yum!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:27 am

      totally totally agree!

      Reply
  3. Marisa Moore says

    August 1, 2018 at 10:12 am

    5 stars
    I love a black bean quesadilla for a quick and easy meal.You make this look so delicious with these dreamy photos!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:26 am

      aren’t they the best?! thanks Marisa

      Reply
  4. Lisa Huff says

    August 1, 2018 at 10:49 am

    5 stars
    Love how quick and easy this is! Even my kids could make and they love homemade quesadillas!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:25 am

      right?! me too for sure

      Reply
  5. Mikki says

    August 1, 2018 at 10:57 am

    mmmm. Looks so good. I love a simple and delicious dish like this!
    We haven’t had quesadilla’s in awhile. May have to add them to next weeks menu.

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:25 am

      thanks so much Mikki! and do it, you’ll love ’em

      Reply
  6. Neli Howard says

    August 1, 2018 at 10:58 am

    5 stars
    I bet those flavors are amazing! Now, this recipe will be one of my favorites. Love the unique flavors in this recipe! YUM!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:24 am

      they totally are! that’s awesome-let me know how it goes

      Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    August 1, 2018 at 11:00 am

    5 stars
    I will definitely make these quasadilas.

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:23 am

      awesome! let me know how they turn out!

      Reply
  8. Iryna Bychkiv says

    August 1, 2018 at 11:10 am

    5 stars
    I love vegetarian quesadillas and often make them for dinner. Such a great and healthy recipe.

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:23 am

      thanks Iryna

      Reply
  9. Jenny Shea Rawn says

    August 1, 2018 at 2:00 pm

    Totally craving a quesadilla now! Love the simplicity and versatility of this recipe.

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:23 am

      ahh haha! yay! thanks Jenny

      Reply
  10. Abbey Sharp says

    August 1, 2018 at 8:01 pm

    5 stars
    What a fun recipe! Quesadillas are my go to easy dinner

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:22 am

      thanks! they’re so fab & fast

      Reply
  11. Emily @Sinful Nutrition says

    August 2, 2018 at 3:50 am

    These look awesome! I am all about those quick and easy meals!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:22 am

      right?! me too, all about them!

      Reply
  12. jill conyers says

    August 2, 2018 at 4:24 am

    I could easily eat Mexican food everyday. Especially with recipes like this!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:22 am

      right?! me too for sure!

      Reply
  13. Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com says

    August 2, 2018 at 1:12 pm

    Yum, these look so tasty! This is a great quick & easy dinner idea!!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:18 am

      thanks so much!

      Reply
  14. Jessica Levinson says

    August 2, 2018 at 6:48 pm

    Love how quick and easy this dinner is! Would be great for Meatless Monday too!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 3, 2018 at 11:18 am

      ohh yes it would! thanks Jessica

      Reply
  15. Rosemarie says

    May 9, 2020 at 1:56 pm

    5 stars
    I have made this recipe twice now. The pandemic is forcing me to learn to cook again. I actually like this recipe better than the quesadillas in my favorite local Mexican restaurant. I found spinach herb gluten free tortillas to use and they are really good. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      May 10, 2020 at 11:13 am

      that sounds so good! I’m glad you’ve found this recipe to help you get cooking again! If you get bored with the quesadillas you can make the chicken salad on the blog and wrap it in the rest of your tortillas

      Reply

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