Crispy Cheese and Refried Bean Quesadillas that can be easily tailored for almost every diet restriction and budget.
Limited food budget? We hear ya. With this Cheese and Refried Bean Quesadilla recipe you can skip the pricey chicken, beef or pork, to keep the grocery bill in the “reasonable range” zone.
OR, toss in leftover taco filling or cooked shredded chicken – depending on what is hiding in the fridge (and is still edible).
The choice is yours! Here’s how to make:
Step #1: Mix the Filling
Mix together refried beans, salsa, sour cream, kernel corn and chili powder – to make the hyper-flavorful filling.
*The amount of each ingredient, and cost, are listed below.
Step #2: Build Your Quesadilla
Spread equal amounts of the filling mixture over a flour tortilla. Top with shredded cheese (if you like), then fold the tortilla over so it looks like a crescent moon.
Step #3: Two Ways To Cook
Option one is to simply heat your quesadilla in the microwave until the cheese inside has melted and ingredients are heated through, about 1 minute.
For a perfectly crisp quesadilla, use a basting brush to lightly brush both sides of your bean-filled flour tortilla with canola oil. Also, lightly brush the surface of a non-stick skillet with the canola oil.
Heat the oil over medium heat, then place your filled tortilla on the skillet. Cook until outside of tortilla is crisp and golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side.
Step #4: Let Cool, Cut, and Dig-In!
Allow your quesadillas a few minutes to cool before cutting into bite-sized pieces with a pizza cutter.
We topped our quesadillas with sour cream, salsa, and chopped spring onions. If that feels like overkill (because there is salsa and sour cream in the filling) then dig-in as is!
We give this recipe an A+ for being a tasty and budget-friendly meal option that is ready-to-eat in 15 minutes or less!
Happy Cooking!
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CHEESE AND REFRIED BEAN QUESADILLAS
Makes: 6 | Cost: $5.12 | Time: About 10 min.
Clap If You Plan to Make These Quesadillas!
Ingredients
Filling
¾ cup re-fried beans (from a can) [$1.75]
¼ cup low-fat sour cream [$0.35]
¼ cup medium chunky salsa [$0.35]
½ tsp chili powder [$0.02]
½ cup thawed frozen kernel corn [$0.40]
½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz / 57 g) [$0.60]
6 flour tortillas [$1.50]
2 Tbsp. canola oil [$0.15]
Steps
*If you make these quesadillas, please leave your anonymous rating at the top of this post. Thanks!
Brent Garell – (hey that’s me) is the founder of College Recipe Cafe, and author of The Cook-a-Palooza Experience, and 15-Minute Money Saving Meals for Students. He teaches comfy ways to cook online at Cooking Pro Jumpstart.
Thanks for stopping in at the Café. Cheers!
College Recipe Cafe 