Bean & Cheese Quesadillas

Featured in: Comfort Family Dinners

This comforting dish combines creamy beans and melted cheese enveloped in crispy golden tortillas. Ready in 20 minutes, it’s ideal for a speedy lunch or snack. Simply mash beans lightly, sprinkle cheese and beans onto warm tortillas, fold, and grill until golden and melty. Serve with optional toppings like salsa, sour cream, or avocado for added flavor. Variations include adding sautéed onions or jalapeños, or using whole wheat tortillas.

Updated on Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:17:00 GMT
Golden, crispy Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, a perfect, satisfying snack with melted cheese and warm beans. Save to Pinterest
Golden, crispy Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, a perfect, satisfying snack with melted cheese and warm beans. | frostkettle.com

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

Bean & cheese quesadillas were my go-to lunch during busy school days. Their crisp golden edges always brought smiles at the family table.

Ingredients

  • Main: 8 medium flour tortillas 1½ cups canned beans (black beans or pinto beans) drained and rinsed 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar Monterey Jack or a blend) 2 tablespoons butter or neutral oil
  • To Serve (optional): Salsa Sour cream Sliced avocado or guacamole Chopped cilantro

Instructions

Mash Beans (Optional):
In a bowl lightly mash the beans with a fork for easier spreading.
Heat Skillet:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil.
Assemble Quesadilla:
Place a tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle ¼ cup shredded cheese evenly over half the tortilla then add about 3 tablespoons of beans.
Fold Tortilla:
Fold the tortilla in half to cover the filling.
Cook:
Cook for 2 3 minutes on each side pressing gently with a spatula until the tortilla is golden and the cheese is melted.
Repeat:
Remove from the skillet and repeat with the remaining tortillas beans and cheese.
Serve:
Slice quesadillas into wedges and serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Sizzling skillet full of cheesy, folded Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, ready to be sliced and served with salsa. Save to Pinterest
Sizzling skillet full of cheesy, folded Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, ready to be sliced and served with salsa. | frostkettle.com

Whenever we made quesadillas my kids would rush to the table eager for their first cheesy bite. It always felt like a mini fiesta at home.

Variations

Try adding sauteed onions chopped jalapenos or diced tomatoes to the filling for an extra kick of flavor.

Equipment Needed

A large skillet or griddle spatula and a knife are all you need. A mixing bowl makes mashing beans easier but is optional.

Nutrition Facts

Each serving delivers about 350 calories 16 g total fat 36 g carbohydrates and 15 g protein making these quesadillas a satisfying choice.

Freshly made Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, a quick and easy vegetarian meal with melty cheese and flavorful beans. Save to Pinterest
Freshly made Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, a quick and easy vegetarian meal with melty cheese and flavorful beans. | frostkettle.com

Serve these bean & cheese quesadillas hot for best flavor. Double up the batch for a crowd pleasing snack or lunch!

Recipe Questions & Answers

What types of beans work best?

Black beans or pinto beans are ideal for their creamy texture and mild flavor.

Can I use different cheeses?

Yes, shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend provide a delicious melted filling.

How do I prevent the tortillas from getting soggy?

Cook quesadillas on medium heat until golden and crispy, pressing gently with a spatula.

Are there good variations to try?

Adding sautéed onions, jalapeños, or diced tomatoes boosts flavor and texture.

What can I serve alongside?

Try salsa, sour cream, sliced avocado, or guacamole for complementary tastes.

Bean & Cheese Quesadillas

Creamy beans and melted cheese folded in crispy golden tortillas, perfect for a quick meal.

Prep Duration
10 minutes
Time to Cook
10 minutes
Overall Time
20 minutes
Created by Nora Whitman


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Mexican

Makes 4 Serving Size

Dietary Information Meatless

What You Need

Main

01 8 medium flour tortillas
02 1½ cups canned black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
03 2 cups shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or blend cheese
04 2 tablespoons butter or neutral oil

To Serve (optional)

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

How-To Steps

Step 01

Prepare beans: Lightly mash the drained beans with a fork to facilitate spreading, if desired.

Step 02

Heat skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add butter or oil to coat the surface.

Step 03

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

Step 04

Fold tortilla: Fold the tortilla in half, covering the filling evenly.

Step 05

Cook quesadilla: Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula until the tortilla turns golden brown and the cheese melts completely.

Step 06

Repeat process: Remove cooked quesadilla, and repeat assembling and cooking with remaining tortillas, beans, and cheese.

Step 07

Serve: Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve immediately with optional toppings such as salsa, sour cream, avocado, or cilantro.

Tools You'll Need

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

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient for allergens. Ask a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (tortillas) and dairy (cheese, butter, sour cream if included).
  • May contain soy depending on ingredients; verify labels carefully.

Nutrition Details (Each Serving)

Given for informational purposes, this isn't medical advice.
  • Energy Value: 350
  • Fats: 16 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 15 g