Description
This Healthy Spinach Bean Breakfast Quesadilla recipe combines fluffy scrambled eggs with nutritious spinach, creamy white beans, and melted cheese, all wrapped in whole wheat tortillas. Quick and easy to prepare in just 20 minutes, these quesadillas make a delicious and protein-packed breakfast or snack option, with the added benefit of high fiber and plant-based protein from the beans and spinach.
Ingredients
Scale
Egg Mixture
- 10 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Vegetable and Bean Filling
- ½ tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 5 cups lightly packed fresh spinach, roughly torn or chopped (about 4 ounces)
- 1 can reduced-sodium white beans (15 ounces), such as cannellini, Great Northern, or white kidney, rinsed and drained
Assembly
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated cheese such as cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or similar melty cheese (about 5 ounces)
- 8 whole wheat tortillas, medium taco size (about 7 inches)
Instructions
- Mix the Egg Base: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, kosher salt, garlic powder, and ground black pepper until well combined. Set this mixture aside while preparing the other ingredients.
- Cook Spinach and Beans with Eggs: Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot and shimmering. Add the fresh spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to wilt, about 1 minute. Then add the rinsed and drained white beans. Reduce the heat to medium-low, carefully pour in the egg mixture, and cook low and slow. Use a rubber spatula to gently move the eggs around often, allowing them to scramble evenly until just set, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, then remove from heat. If freezing, let the filling cool completely.
- Assemble the Quesadillas: Lay one tortilla flat and sprinkle with one-eighth of the shredded cheese, leaving a small border around the edges. Spoon one-eighth of the egg, spinach, and bean mixture over the cheese, then fold the tortilla in half. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and ingredients to make eight quesadillas.
- Cook Quesadillas Immediately: Wipe out the skillet used earlier, then increase heat to medium. Lightly coat the skillet with nonstick spray or brush with additional olive oil. Cook each assembled quesadilla on both sides until golden brown and the cheese is melted, approximately 5 to 6 minutes total. Cut into wedges and serve warm.
- Freeze for Later Use: If freezing, ensure the egg filling cools completely before assembling. Wrap each quesadilla individually in plastic wrap and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. Store for up to 2 months. To reheat, remove plastic wrap and warm the quesadilla in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through, or thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then cook in a skillet as described above.
Notes
- Use reduced-sodium beans to keep sodium content lower.
- Feel free to use your favorite melty cheese or a cheese blend for variation.
- Spinach can be replaced with baby kale or Swiss chard if preferred.
- Make sure the egg filling cools completely before freezing to avoid sogginess.
- Reheat quesadillas in a skillet after thawing to restore crispiness.
