Bean & Cheese Quesadillas

Featured in: Hearty Comfort Dinners

These bean and cheese quesadillas combine creamy beans and melted cheese folded inside warm, golden tortillas. Ready in just 20 minutes, they're a comforting option ideal for quick lunches or snacks. Enhancing the filling with sautéed jalapeños or tomatoes adds a fresh twist. Serve with salsa, sour cream, or avocado to elevate the flavors. Perfectly suited for a vegetarian diet and easily adaptable for vegan preferences by substituting plant-based cheese and oil.

Updated on Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:02:00 GMT
Golden, melty cheese and bean filling spilling from a crispy Bean & Cheese Quesadilla, ready to enjoy. Save
Golden, melty cheese and bean filling spilling from a crispy Bean & Cheese Quesadilla, ready to enjoy. | smokyfeast.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 when we needed something fast and satisfying any day of the week. The simple melted cheese with beans tucked inside crispy tortillas always brought everyone to the table with smiles & requests for seconds.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Prepare beans:
In a bowl lightly mash the beans with a fork for easier spreading (optional).
Heat skillet:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil.
Assemble quesadillas:
Place a tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle ¼ cup of 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 to 3 minutes on each side pressing gently with a spatula until the tortilla is golden and the cheese is melted.
Repeat and serve:
Remove from the skillet and repeat with the remaining tortillas beans and cheese. Slice quesadillas into wedges and serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Save
| smokyfeast.com

Whenever we gathered on weekends making these quesadillas became a little family assembly line & everyone added their favorite toppings at the table.

Required Tools

Large skillet or griddle spatula mixing bowl (optional) and knife are all you need to make quesadillas at home.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (tortillas) dairy (cheese butter/sour cream if used). May contain soy so check ingredients. Always read labels for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information

Each serving offers about 350 calories with a balance of protein carbs and healthy fats.

Warm, folded Bean & Cheese Quesadilla, perfectly browned and cut into wedges, ready to eat with toppings. Save
Warm, folded Bean & Cheese Quesadilla, perfectly browned and cut into wedges, ready to eat with toppings. | smokyfeast.com

Serve your quesadillas hot and crisp with plenty of toppings for a quick meal everyone will love.

Kitchen Questions

What beans work best for these quesadillas?

Black beans or pinto beans are ideal, providing a creamy texture and rich flavor that complements the cheese.

Can I make these quesadillas vegan?

Yes, substitute shredded plant-based cheese and use oil instead of butter to keep them vegan-friendly.

How can I add extra flavor to the filling?

Try mixing in sautéed onions, chopped jalapeños, or diced tomatoes for added zest and texture.

What sides go well with bean and cheese quesadillas?

Salsa, sour cream, sliced avocado, or guacamole pair wonderfully to enhance the taste experience.

Can whole wheat or corn tortillas be used instead?

Absolutely, both whole wheat and corn tortillas make great alternatives and add different textures.

Bean & Cheese Quesadillas

Creamy beans and melted cheese folded in crispy golden tortillas for a speedy, satisfying bite.

Prep duration
10 min
Heat time
10 min
Complete duration
20 min
Created by Jackson Reed


Skill Level Easy

Heritage Mexican

Output 4 Portions

Nutrition Labels Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Main

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

To Serve

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

Method

Phase 01

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

Phase 02

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

Phase 03

Assemble Quesadilla: Place one tortilla in the skillet. Evenly sprinkle 1/4 cup shredded cheese over half of the tortilla, then add approximately 3 tablespoons of the mashed beans.

Phase 04

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

Phase 05

Cook Quesadilla: Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Phase 06

Repeat and Serve: Remove the cooked quesadilla and repeat the process with remaining tortillas, cheese, and beans. Slice into wedges and serve warm with desired toppings.

Kitchen Tools

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

Allergy Details

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (tortillas) and dairy (cheese, butter, sour cream if used)
  • May contain soy; verify ingredient labels for tortillas and cheese

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - please consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 350
  • Fats: 16 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 15 g