Vegan Black Bean Quesadillas

Total time35 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time20 min

4.5

(21)

Crispy on the outside, packed with smoky-spiced filling on the inside, these quesadillas are the kind of weeknight dinner that disappears fast. Sautéed red bell pepper and yellow onion get cooked down until their edges caramelize, then tossed with black beans and a bold blend of cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika — the result is a filling that's deeply savory and satisfying without a single animal product in sight. Melted vegan cheese holds everything together inside a golden, toasted flour tortilla, and honestly it's hard to tell this isn't the dairy-laden original. The folded half-moon method means each quesadilla gets maximum contact with the skillet, so you're guaranteed that crisp, crackly exterior every time. Serve them straight from the cutting board with sliced avocado, salsa, and a handful of fresh cilantro for a plate that looks as good as it tastes. This recipe makes four generous servings, so it's just as suited to feeding a crowd as it is to meal-prepping a few lunches for the week.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the filling

1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
salt and pepper, to taste

For the quesadillas

4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
1 ½ cups vegan cheese, shredded
1 tbsp olive oil, for cooking (divided)

For serving

1 avocado, sliced (optional)
½ cup salsa (optional)
¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the sliced onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and the edges begin to brown, about 6–7 minutes.
2
Add the minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Watch closely so the garlic does not burn.

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