Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

These easy black bean and corn quesadillas are a healthier twist on the cheesy classic! A little crumbled cotija cheese adds a salty flavor while the beans and corn help bulk up this meal and make it hearty and delicious!

Quesadillas are one of the easiest meals to make, and with a few extra ingredients, you can turn a basic quesadilla into a deliciously healthy meal! I love adding black beans for extra protein and fiber. The corn adds a little sweetness, and the salty cotija cheese adds plenty of flavor, without adding too much cheese.

Black Bean and Corn Quesadilla Ingredients

• Flour tortillas– A soft flour tortilla is essential! You can use a large tortilla and fold it in half or use two taco sized tortillas.
• Cheddar cheese– Cheddar cheese is perfect for an ooey, gooey, melty filling.
• Cotija cheese or Feta cheese– Cotija or feta adds a nice salty flavor to the quesadilla. Cotija is crumbly cheese that doesn’t melt and is frequently used in Mexican-style recipes. Feta has a similar flavor and it may be easier to find.
• Black beans– These add protein and fiber, making this recipe a great meatless meal! For even more flavor, use these Mexican Black Beans in your quesadilla!
• Corn– You can use canned or frozen corn for this recipe.
• Garlic powder- I like the flavor of garlic powder vs. raw garlic as it has a more mild flavor.
• Onion powder- This adds depth to the flavor of the quesadilla.

What is Cotija cheese?

Cotija cheese is an aged Mexican cheese typically made from cow’s milk. It has a crumbly texture and doesn’t melt when heated. It adds a salty flavor to this recipe, but if you can’t find it, feta is an acceptable substitute. It has a similar flavor and texture.

The Best Tortillas for Quesadillas

The best tortillas to use are soft, flour tortillas. I like to use taco-sized tortillas, but if you have a larger burrito size, just fold it in half. I don’t recommend using the street taco size, which is too small and difficult to fill. You can use a whole wheat tortilla if you want to add additional protein and fiber to this recipe.

Quesadilla Topping Ideas

You can also customize your quesadilla with your favorite toppings! Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Guacamole or avocado slices
• Pico de Gallo
• Salsa verde
• Hot sauce or smoked Tabasco sauce
• Quesadilla sauce
• Cilantro sauce
• Burrito sauce

Quesadilla Tips

If it’s too hard to flip the quesadilla without the insides spilling out, slide the quesadilla off the pan onto a plate. Top with another plate and then flip it over. Slide it back onto the pan and continue cooking.

Freshly shredded cheese melts easier than pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has additives to prevent clumping, and that can make it harder to melt. Feel free to use whatever cheese you like, but pre-shredded may need a few extra minutes to cook.

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Need an easy side dish idea? Try this Mexican Street Corn salad! It’s the perfect side dish for tacos or quesadillas!

Looking for more easy Mexican recipes? Try one of these tasty recipes below!

Oven Baked Tacos

Easy Pinto Bean Soup

This post was originally published in September 2015. Updated April 2020.