15 Badass Vegetarian Quesadilla Recipes: Who’s hungry?
- Updated on Oct 07, 2022
When I think of my favourite vegetarian quesadilla recipes I think of adding my favorite veggies or dream about melted cheese oozing out of a grilled tortilla, don’t you?
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A delicious quesadilla is such an easy meal to make and prepare for lunch or dinner.
I love quesadillas that much I’ve pulled together a badass list of my favourite recipes just for you – I’m already hungry!
There are a lot of debates online about why it is called a quesadilla, but one interesting thing to note, which you may not know, is in Mexico at least, they don’t come with cheese as standard.
You may think ‘quesa’ must be linked to ‘queso’, or the Spanish word for cheese, but many people in Mexico have their quesadillas without cheese.
So it’s best to ask for a quesadilla with cheese if you want that melty satisfaction.
So dive into this amazing collection of recipes that are full of inspiration. From vegetarian quesadillas that are a bit different to cheesy vegan quesadillas, we’ve got the recipe for you!
Tasty vegetarian quesadillas
The great thing about any vegetarian quesadillas recipe is that you can add a little bit of whatever you fancy, especially if it’s oozing with melty cheese!
1. Spinach Tomato Quesadilla
Bonus: ready in just 15 minutes
Treat yourself right – easy recipe to make tomato, cheese, spinach, and pesto quesadillas. Ready in just a few minutes – what are you waiting for?
2. Sweet Potato and Kale Quesadillas
Protein: 14g
Calories: 344 kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: CookNourishBliss
Bonus: stuffed with superfoods
Mashed sweet potatoes make the base for the vegetable filling, with bites of black beans and kale, along with plenty of spices.
Freshly grated cheese rounds these out, making a great option for lunch or dinner.
3. Greek Quesadillas with Tzatziki
Protein: 25g
Calories: 413 kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: ScrummyLane
Bonus: high in protein: feel fuller for longer
Have you ever tried Greek ‘spanakopita’ or spinach and feta cheese pie? If you have, you’ll know how delicious it is.
Try this lighter Greek-Mex version, served with a traditional side dish of fresh and tangy tzatziki sauce.
4. Santa Fe Style
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: TaylorMadeMarket
Bonus: a Mexican-style meal for the whole family
This recipe is healthy, fresh, full of veggies & protein, and loaded with flavor. Making totally delicious veggie quesadillas.
5. Broccoli Quesadilla with Avocado
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: MountainMamaCooks
Bonus: super healthy with loads of veggies on wholewheat tortillas
Sautéed broccoli and garlic, sharp cheddar cheese, smashed avocado, and fresh dill makes for a mean quesadilla filling.
6. “Kale”sadilla
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: SimplyRecipes
Bonus: a nutritious lunch in 20 minutes
We all love quesadillas, and we could all use more leafy greens in our diet, so let’s add some shredded kale to our gooey cheese and crispy tortillas and call it a “kale”sadilla!
7. Spanakopita Quesadilla
Ready in: 28 minutes
Calories: 229 kcal
Protein: 9g
Recipe by: CookToria
Bonus: eggs and feta what’s not to love
Fast and easy veggie quesadilla recipe. Inspired by Greek traditional pie called Spanakopita.
8. Quesadilla with Cilantro Gremolata
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: NaturallyElla
Bonus: hearty and healthy
The sweet potatoes are cooked in a mixture of chipotles, lime juice, and honey which makes it the perfect spicy/sweet combination for this delicious vegetarian quesadilla recipe.
9. Mozzarella & Cheddar Quesadillas
Bonus: simple but so good
Easy veggie quesadillas with melted mozzarella and cheddar combo. A few clever steps and you’ll be chowing down on gooey, crispy quesadillas in no time!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 small cherry tomatoes
- 1 onion
- ½ bell pepper, red (your fave colour)
- 2 cups spinach
- 4 tbsp red pesto (check the notes, if you want to make your own)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella
- 4 wholegrain tortillas (check the notes, if you want to make them homemade)
Optional
- Sliced chilies for a kick!
Instructions
- Wash the tomatoes and pepper, peel the onions and cut them all into thin slices – the cheese too.8 small cherry tomatoes, 1 onion, ½ bell pepper, red
- Wash the spinach and let it drain in a sieve.2 cups spinach
- Grab a tortilla and spread a layer of pesto over half of it. A tablespoon works well.4 wholegrain tortillas, 4 tbsp red pesto
- Add a light layer of cheese on top and a quarter of the tomato, pepper and onion, followed by a few spinach leaves.1 cup cheddar cheese
- Top it with another layer of cheese.2 cups mozzarella, Sliced chilies for a kick!
- Then fold the other half of the tortilla on top and place in a large frying pan (nonstick).
- Heat for 2-3 minutes. Flip and heat for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese has melted – a good indicator is a little running out the side.
- Pro Tip: place a heavy pot on top of the quesadilla so that it flattens nicely and cooks more evenly – this will also stop the insides escaping! If you don’t like the thought of putting a pot directly on your quesadillas then put a plate between the two.
Nutrition
At less than 500 calories and 25 g of protein, our easy veggie quesadillas are a great option for lunch or dinner, especially if you’re watching those calories.
Having a high protein meal means you should feel fuller for longer and less likely to snack in between.
For more ideas don’t forget to download your FREE 7-day Vegetarian Weight Loss Meal Plan. And if you’re looking to build muscle we have a meal plan for you too!
Delicious vegan quesadillas
A vegan recipe for quesadillas doesn’t have to be boring! With loads of delicious filling ingredients to choose from you can still have the taste of a traditional quesadilla without any of the guilt.
10. Guacamole Quesadillas
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: PescetarianKitchen
Bonus: if you love guacamole you’ll love these
These guacamole quesadillas make the perfect appetizer, main or side! Serve them warm from the pan for the best results.
Freshly grilled and oozing with warm avocado-packed guacamole.
11. Quesadillas with Minty Mango Salsa
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: Spabettie
Bonus: sweet and spicy
Chipotle quesadillas with minty mango salsa – crispy buttery quesadillas with mildly spicy chipotle flavors and creamy avocado – game day or any day these will be in regular rotation for sure!
12. Pumpkin & Apple Quesadilla
Ready in: 45 minutes
Calories: 161 kcal
Protein: 3g
Recipe by: VeggieInspiredJourney
Bonus: a sweet and savory treat
A little creamy, a little crispy, a little sweet, a little smoky, and even a little spicy if desired, this vegan quesadilla recipe is a little piece of fall heaven.
13. Kimchi Quesadillas
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: WellandFull
Bonus: a Korean and Mexican infusion
These kimchi vegetable quesadillas are game-changing – made with crunchy, gluten-free tortillas, a mouth-watering black bean spread, and peppery arugula.
14. Southwestern Tofu Quesadillas
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: ForkandBeans
Bonus: a tasty breakfast alternative
Bring the first meal of the day back to life with these easy-to-make Southwestern Tofu Breakfast Quesadillas (that happen to be gluten-free as well).
15. Triple-Stacked Quesadilla
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: LunchBoxBunch
Bonus: crammed with a delicious filling
Triple-stacked quesadilla breakfast. Fresh tropical fruit salad on the side – a Mexican-spiced hot soy mocha on the second side.
You’ll want to get the detailed instructions on this yummy feast – it’s fit for AM or PM!..
Quesadilla recipe FAQs
Are veggie quesadillas healthy?
Yes, veggie quesadillas can be really healthy (so can vegan ones!), especially as they’re packed with nutritious vegetables.
Using a whole grain tortilla would also bump up that health meter, and go easy on the cheesy!
They’re going to give you loads of health benefits compared to a meaty version, and they’re packed with fiber which is going to be great for keeping you full.
If you add beans or cheese there will also be a good level of protein so that will also help with weight loss and muscle gain.
If you use white tortillas, and tons of cheese however, be prepared for that health meter to go down and the calories to go up!
Which cheese is best for quesadillas?
In my opinion, any cheese that gives a good stretch when you lift up is best for quesadillas. Try mozzarella or cheddar, or go authentic with Mexican cheese like Oaxaca and Chihuahua cheese.
How do you make a quesadilla?
Each recipe is different, but the basic steps are,
- Take a hot pan and add around a teaspoon of oil.
- Add a tortilla to the frying pan, you could use flour tortillas, corn tortillas, or even whole wheat tortillas.
- Next, add your filling. You could add anything from sweet corn to green bell pepper, taco seasoning, or lots of cheese. I bet you could come up with some great combinations.
- Fold the tortilla or even add a second tortilla on top and make sure the filling doesn’t come outside of the tortillas.
- Give it a few minutes and then flip to grill the other side. You want it to look golden and crispy on the outside.
If you’ve never made quesadillas, you’re sure to be in with a treat when it comes to trying out some of these recipes. Each one is different so see which is your favourite!
For more meal ideas take a look at this collection of 50 Mexican Vegan Recipes
Hauke Fox
I’m always on the lookout for these damn smart recipes. You know, those that only take a few minutes to put together and taste delicious. Vegetarian Cooking at home is a way to take back control over what I eat. I don’t like what many companies do to animals and the environment with their products.
Comments
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18 comments
Thanks for including my Caprese Quesadilla! 🙂
You’re very welcome, Melissa! :-)))
Quesadillas are my go-to fast and easy dinner. I can’t wait to add some of your tasty ideas into my dinner rotation.
Let us know how it goes! Always love to hear about good dinners 🙂
Oh what an awesome roundup!! They all look amazing! 🙂
Thanks Sina! Each one made (and still does actually) my stomach growl…
You’re not kidding, these are some seriously badass quesadillas! EXCELLENT round up, but I’m mad at you because now I’m totally hungry.
Hahaha I know the feeling well Gin, I think I ate a quesadilla each time I wrote the word in the last couple of weeks…