Quesadillas are one of my favorite budget-friendly meals because you can fill them with anything, and it’s always delicious. All you really need is a stack of tortillas, some kind of cheese, and whatever you already have on hand. Beans, veggies, leftover chicken, a spoonful of dip, even breakfast staples all work beautifully! To prove just how versatile and affordable they can be, I pulled together 15 quesadilla ideas that take inspiration from classic favorites, with plenty of room to remix the fillings based on what you like (or what you already have)!
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Vegetarian Quesadillas
These vegetarian quesadillas are my favorite kind of easy! Made with mostly pantry staples, a handful of veggies, and a whole lot of melty cheese. They’re hearty enough to count as dinner, but flexible enough to use whatever you’ve got hanging around.
1. Black Bean Quesadillas
Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas
These black bean quesadillas are such a staple with black beans, corn, cheddar, and taco seasoning, and they’re done in about 15 minutes. They also freeze GREAT. Make a batch, stack with parchment, and you’ve built your own stash of emergency meals!
2. Spinach and Mushroom Quesadillas
Spinach and Mushroom Quesadillas
If you’re into creamy-but-not-heavy, these spinach and mushroom quesadillas are the move. Sautéed mushrooms, a solid hit of spinach, melty cheese, and a little sour cream make up the simple and delicious filling. I also love that it’s a 30-minute recipe from start to finish.
3. Roasted Corn Quesadillas
Roasted Corn Quesadillas
These roasted corn quesadillas are all about the smoky, fire-roasted corn flavor (with frozen roasted corn being a game-changer!). You can keep it super fast with cooked chicken, or make it vegetarian by swapping in black beans or pinto beans. Either way, it’s a freezer-friendly lunch or snack I think anyone will love.
4. White Bean and Spinach Quesadillas
Creamy White Bean and Spinach Quesadillas
Creamy, filling, and quick, these creamy white bean and spinach quesadillas take about 20 minutes and lean on cannellini beans, spinach, pepper jack, and sour cream for a rich, cozy filling. I’d serve it with something tangy (salsa or pico) to cut through the creaminess.
5. Spinach Artichoke Quesadillas
Spinach Artichoke Quesadillas
This spinach artichoke quesadilla recipe is the ultimate leftovers hack! It turns leftover spinach artichoke dip into lunch with rotisserie chicken and hot sauce in just 10 minutes.
6. Kidney Bean Quesadillas
Cheesy Kidney Bean Quesadillas
These cheesy kidney bean quesadillas are proof that a lonely can of beans can become dinner. I whip up a quick, budget-friendly filling using kidney beans, taco seasoning, a frozen veggie mix, and cheddar to make a cheap, flavorful filling that my whole family loves.
Cheesy Chicken & Meat Quesadillas
These are the crowd pleasers I can see showing up at a game day spread or a family meal where you know the plates will come back empty. They’ve got big flavor with minimal effort, plus a few nice shortcuts (hello, rotisserie chicken and make-ahead fillings!).
7. BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Ultimate Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
These BBQ chicken quesadillas are called ‘ultimate’ for a reason! Chicken, cheddar, jalapeños, black beans, cilantro, red onion, and BBQ sauce are all packed into one crispy tortilla. For time-saving, the filling can be prepped ahead and kept in the fridge, or the quesadillas can be assembled and frozen for later.
8. Chicken Spinach Quesadillas
Creamy Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas
If you’re feeding a picky eater, this one keeps it simple while adding some greens to their plate. I think these creamy chicken and spinach quesadillas hit the sweet spot of comforting and not-boring, with spinach tucked into a cheesy filling that just works.
9. Hawaiian Ham Quesadillas
Hawaiian Ham Quesadillas
Do you like pineapple on your pizza? How about in a quesadilla? Because, honestly, it works! These Hawaiian ham quesadillas nail the sweet-salty combo with ham, pineapple, mozzarella, and a little cream cheese for an extra creamy melt!
Globally INspired
I love these because they’re a little unexpected in the best way. They keep the quesadilla comfort factor but borrow big flavors from other cuisines, so dinner feels fun without getting complicated.
10. Kimchi Quesadillas
Kimchi Quesadillas
Kimchi and cheddar are an unexpectedly perfect combo, and this kimchi quesadilla recipe turns it into a quick 20-minute meal with just 5 ingredients. It also sneaks in eggs for extra staying power!
11. Mediterranean Quesadillas
Mediterranean Quesadillas
These Mediterranean quesadillas are a fun switch-up from the usual with briny feta and olives, smoky roasted red peppers, spinach, and a sprinkle of oregano, all held together with melty mozzarella. I love that you can swap in whatever is priced well, and you’ll still end up with something bright and briny and very snackable.
Perfect for Breakfast
Breakfast quesadillas are one of my favorite solutions for mornings that need to be faster (or for nights when breakfast-for-dinner sounds like the only correct answer). These recipes range from freezer-friendly meal prep to 10-minute single servings.
12. Sausage and Eggs Breakfast Quesadillas
Sausage and Egg Breakfast Quesadillas
These sausage and egg breakfast quesadillas are simple (sausage, eggs, cheese, tortillas), filling, and built for stocking your freezer, so it’s ready whenever someone needs a grab-and-go breakfast or even a quick lunch.
13. Banana and Peanut Butter Quesadillas
Peanut Butter Banana Quesadillas
This crispy tortilla, creamy peanut butter, chocolate chip, and soft banana filling is underrated. Since this peanut butter banana quesadilla is single-serving, it’s ideal for making my daughter one of her favorite flavor combos with no pile of leftovers to deal with later.
14. Chili Garlic Breakfast Quesadillas
Chili Garlic Breakfast Quesadilla
Egg, cheddar, spinach, and a swipe of chili garlic sauce come together in these easy chili garlic breakfast quesadillas. I love how it tastes bolder than the effort involved, and it’s easy to tweak depending on my mood (more sauce when I want heat, less when I’m keeping it mellow).
15. Green Chile Breakfast Quesadillas
Green Chile Breakfast Quesadillas
These green chile breakfast quesadillas are for anyone with a can of green chiles hanging out in the pantry! Toss them into an egg-and-cheese quesadilla (add cilantro if you’ve got it), and you’ve got a simple, filling breakfast on a budget.
