Black bean quesadillas are a budget friendly meal that comes together quickly. For a printable recipe plus two more meatless meal recipes, click here.

Black Bean Quesadillas

Stuffed with black refried beans and melty cheese and pan fried to golden perfection.

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Ingredients Method

Ingredients

1.5 cups black beans
1/4 cup salsa
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 pinch salt
1-2 TB chicken broth or water
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
tortillas

Method

Combine black beans, salsa, and seasoning in a blender and blend on high until smooth. Add water or broth if needed to thin out to a refried bean consistency.
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add a generous amount of olive oil and allow to heat.
Fill a tortilla with the black bean mixture and shredded cheese, if desired. Place onto hot skillet and allow to cook until golden brown.
Serve with sour cream and salsa.

If you’re like me, you are constantly looking for ways to cut grocer costs, but you also want to continue to make delicious and nutritious meals for your family. I am always on the hunt for recipes that are budget friendly, but packed with nutrition and flavor.

Beans are one of my favorite things to have on hand for meatless meals or to “beef up” a recipe. I love to buy dry beans because the are super cheap and store well for a long time. Periodically I will cook up a big batch in my instapot and then freeze them. They easily thaw and reheat for easy use.

For more tips on stocking our pantry and for a free printable list of staples, check out this blog post.

These black bean quesadillas are one of favorite go-to recipes for quick meals. The are quick and easy to throw together, packed full of protein, and very budget friendly.

Ingredients for black bean quesadillas

Black beans are the staple of this recipe and I think they taste the best. If black beans aren’t your favorite, or you don’t have any on hand, pinto beans also work well.

Salsa adds flavor to the beans. Use whatever you love and have on hand. I use my homemade fermented salsa, but anything will work.

Cumin and garlic add flavor.

Cheddar cheese for melty, cheese goodness and helps to hold the black beans together.

Tortillas are the foundation, holding all of the beans and cheese. Any kind works, use your favorite.

How to make black bean quesadillas

To make the black bean quesadillas, you start by creating a refried bean mixture. Its easiest to make the refried beans by placing the beans, salsa, spices, and liquid into a blender and blending to desired consistency. This step can be done by hand, but I have found it to be faster and have a better texture if you blend it up.

Next, you’ll want to fill the tortillas with the black bean mixture and cheddar cheese. Be careful about overstuffing the tortillas as the filling will ooze out.

The secret to these quesadillas is in the cooking. Make sure to preheat the skillet and then drizzle with a generous amount of olive oil. When the oil is good and hot, place filled tortillas on the pan and cook until golden brown. Serve immediately with sour cream and salsa.

How do you store black bean quesadillas?

Optimally, store the bean mixture separate and then make up the quesadillas as you want them. For leftover filled quesadillas, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 davs. Rewarm on the skillet.

It’s a quick, easy, budget friendly meal the whole family will enjoy!