Vegan Quesadilla Recipe + 4 Filling Ideas

Vegan quesadillas are a quick, easy, and comforting dinner option. Follow this vegan quesadilla recipe for these delicious, plant-based and nutritious Mexican delights.

A traditional quesadilla is simply a cheese filled tortilla that is heated on the grill or stove. Although cheese is the primary filling ingredient, additional fillings including meat, spices, or vegetables can also be used. No matter which fillings you like, you can easily make a vegan quesadilla using our recipe for inspiration.

Vegan Quesadilla Recipe

This vegan quesadilla recipe is packed full of spicy flavors, plant-based nutrients and proteins. The quesadillas you know and love have now gotten a vegan-upgrade and can be filled with any assortment of tasty plant-based ingredients.

Quesadilla Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
• 1 cup zucchini, chopped
• ½ a bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¾ cup vegan cheddar cheese
• 4 large flour tortillas

Smokey Beans Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• Juice of one lime

Instructions:

1. Place a large rimmed skillet over medium heat and heat up the oil. Sauté the onion until translucent and soft. Add the mushrooms, zucchini and bell pepper and cook until the vegetables have softened and are bright in color. Add cumin, chilli powder, and smoked paprika. Season generously. Remove the quesadilla ingredients from the skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, heat up the oil for the smokey beans. Sauté the onion until translucent and soft. Add the garlic, cumin and chilli powder and season generously. Add the beans and mix well. Let this cook for a further five minutes, or until the beans are cooked through and losing their structure.
3. Remove the beans from the skillet and place in either a blender or a mixing bowl. Add the lime juice. Blend the beans until a thick paste is formed (or mash them with a potato masher).
4. Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan. After one minute, spread about a quarter of the bean paste over half the tortilla. Follow by spreading a quarter of the quesadilla filling on top. Now layer your vegan cheese on top of everything. Fold the tortilla over so that all the filling has been enclosed. Cook the tortilla until golden and crispy on the underside (this should take about two to three minutes). Flip and repeat on the other side of the tortilla. Remove from the pan and set aside.
5. Repeat these steps with the rest of the tortillas. Slice into triangles, and they are ready to enjoy! Serve with fresh homemade guacamole, salsa, coriander and lime wedges.

Vegan Quesadilla Filling Ideas

Vegan quesadillas are incredibly versatile, and can be filled with any kinds of delicious, Mexican-inspired ingredients and flavors. Here are some ideas for you to fill your vegan quesadillas with:

• Smokey sweet potato quesadillas: Replace one of the vegetables in this vegan quesadilla recipe with a sweet potato cut into small cubes for a hearty and nutritious filing option.
• Spice it up: If spice is your thing, add fresh jalapeño peppers to your quesadilla filling mix to add an extra punch to your vegan quesadillas.
• Make it green: Boost your vegan quesadillas with color and vitamins by adding freshly sliced avocado and spinach before frying your tortillas.
• Crunchy: For bonus texture and seasoning, add some crushed tortilla chips to your quesadilla mix.

Read more:

• Vegan Pozole: A Simple, Comforting Recipe 
• Vegan Elote Recipe: Off the Cob
• Growing Hot Peppers: How to Care for a Chili Pepper Plant

** Links to retailers marked with ** or underlined orange are partially partner links: If you buy here, you actively support Utopia.org, because we will receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.

Tags: Cooking Guide Recipes Vegan