Bean and Cheese Quesadillas

Featured in: Quick Homemade Snacks

This dish layers creamy beans and shredded cheese inside warm, golden tortillas, cooked until crispy and melty. Perfect for a quick lunch or snack, it offers a comforting blend of textures and flavors. You can customize fillings with onions, jalapeños, or salsa, and serve with avocado or sour cream for a delicious experience. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s an easy and satisfying option for meat-free dining.

Updated on Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:24:00 GMT
Golden, crispy bean and cheese quesadillas, oozing melted cheese, and ready for a quick Mexican meal. Pin It
Golden, crispy bean and cheese quesadillas, oozing melted cheese, and ready for a quick Mexican meal. | sweetbatata.com

A quick, comforting classic featuring creamy beans, melted cheese, and crispy golden tortillas & perfect for a speedy lunch or snack.

I first tried making these quesadillas when I needed something fast and satisfying for my family. They instantly became a favorite at home because everyone could choose their own toppings and fillings.

Ingredients

  • Flour tortillas: 8 medium tortillas for crispy quesadillas
  • Canned beans: 1½ cups, black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • Shredded cheese: 2 cups, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or blend
  • Butter or neutral oil: 2 tablespoons for cooking
  • Salsa (optional): To serve with quesadillas
  • Sour cream (optional): For dipping or as a topping
  • Avocado or guacamole (optional): Sliced or mashed, as preferred
  • Chopped cilantro (optional): Fresh garnish for extra flavor

Instructions

Mash the Beans:
Lightly mash beans in a mixing bowl with a fork to make them easier to spread (optional).
Heat Skillet:
Warm a large skillet over medium heat, then add a small amount of butter or oil.
Add Filling to Tortilla:
Place a tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle ¼ cup of cheese on half of the tortilla and spread about 3 tablespoons of beans over the cheese.
Fold and Cook:
Fold the tortilla in half so the filling is covered. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, pressing gently until golden and the cheese is melted.
Repeat:
Continue with remaining tortillas and fillings.
Serve:
Slice in wedges and serve hot with your chosen toppings.
Pin It
| sweetbatata.com

These quesadillas often bring everyone together at our table. There are always smiles as we add toppings and share stories over lunch.

Required Tools

You'll need a large skillet or griddle, a spatula for flipping, and a mixing bowl for mashing beans (optional).

Allergen Information

Contains wheat and dairy. Some tortillas and cheeses may include soy & check ingredient labels if food allergies are a concern.

Nutritional Information

Each serving contains approx. 350 calories, 16 g total fat, 36 g carbs, and 15 g protein.

Delicious homemade bean & cheese quesadillas with a savory aroma, perfect for dipping into cool sour cream. Pin It
Delicious homemade bean & cheese quesadillas with a savory aroma, perfect for dipping into cool sour cream. | sweetbatata.com

Enjoy these quesadillas hot for best flavor and texture. They're perfect for a quick lunch or sharing with friends.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What types of beans work best in quesadillas?

Black beans and pinto beans are excellent choices due to their creamy texture and mild flavor that complement melted cheese well.

Can I use different cheeses in this dish?

Yes, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a cheese blend all melt nicely, offering rich flavor and gooey texture.

How can I make these quesadillas crispier?

Cooking them on medium heat with a bit of butter or oil and pressing gently helps achieve a golden, crispy exterior.

Are there tasty topping ideas for serving?

Salsa, sour cream, sliced avocado, guacamole, and chopped cilantro add fresh and creamy contrasts to the warm filling.

Is there a way to add extra flavor inside the filling?

Adding sautéed onions, diced tomatoes, or chopped jalapeños boosts the filling with fresh, zesty notes.

Bean and Cheese Quesadillas

Creamy beans and melted cheese wrapped in golden tortillas make a fast, tasty meal or snack.

Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
10 min
Overall Time
20 min
Created by Nora James


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Mexican

Makes 4 Portions

Dietary Details Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Main

01 8 medium flour tortillas
02 1 ½ cups canned beans (black beans or pinto beans), drained and rinsed
03 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or blend)
04 2 tablespoons butter or neutral oil

To Serve (optional)

01 Salsa
02 Sour cream
03 Sliced avocado or guacamole
04 Chopped cilantro

Cooking Steps

Step 01

Prepare Beans: Lightly mash the drained beans with a fork to facilitate spreading.

Step 02

Preheat Skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add butter or oil.

Step 03

Assemble Quesadilla: Place one tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle ¼ cup shredded cheese evenly over half, then add approximately 3 tablespoons of mashed beans.

Step 04

Fold Tortilla: Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling.

Step 05

Cook Quesadilla: Cook each side for 2-3 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula, until golden brown and cheese is melted.

Step 06

Repeat Process: Remove cooked quesadilla and repeat with remaining tortillas, cheese, and beans.

Step 07

Serve: Slice into wedges and serve immediately with desired toppings.

Equipment Needed

  • Large skillet or griddle
  • Spatula
  • Mixing bowl
  • Knife

Allergy Notice

Check each ingredient for allergens and reach out to a healthcare professional if you have concerns.
  • Contains wheat (tortillas) and dairy (cheese, butter, sour cream if used). May contain soy – verify ingredient labels.

Nutrition Information (per portion)

Sweetbatata only offers this for informational use. Please don't treat it as personalized medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 350
  • Fats: 16 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 15 g