How To Make Cheesy Black Bean Quesadillas - Every Plate Review

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: monterey jack cheese

Monterey jack is often less expensive and melts well.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: plain yogurt

Greek yogurt provides similar creaminess with fewer calories.

flour tortillas

🥗Healthier: whole wheat tortillas

💰Cheaper: corn tortillas

Corn tortillas are often less expensive and gluten-free.

jalapeño

🥗Healthier: bell pepper

💰Cheaper: banana pepper

Banana peppers provide similar flavor with less heat.

Start by halving the bell pepper, deseeding it, and thinly slicing it crosswise into strips.

Half, peel, and thinly slice half of the onion.

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium pot over medium-high heat.

Add the black beans and their liquid to the pot along with 2.5 teaspoons of the Southwest spice, and season with salt and pepper.

Bring the bean mixture to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cook for about 3-4 minutes.

Turn off the heat and mash the beans with a potato masher until mostly smooth, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, heat a large circle of cooking oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.

Add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the pan, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until softened.

Transfer the cooked peppers and onions to a plate and wipe the pan clean.

On a clean surface, place the tortillas and spread a layer of the mashed beans on half of each tortilla.

Top the beans with the cooked peppers, onions, and shredded cheese.

Fold the tortillas in half to create the quesadilla.

In the same pan, add the quesadilla and cook until golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.

In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, a bit of the Southwest spice mixture, and 1 tablespoon of water, mixing well and seasoning with salt and pepper. Adjust the consistency with more water if needed.

Serve the quesadilla with the sour cream mixture on the side.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary