Description
A quick, nutritious, and kid-approved quesadilla that combines cheesy, crispy pizza flavors with wholesome ingredients, perfect for busy afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large whole wheat tortillas
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 150g)
- ½ cup tomato sauce (120ml), preferably low-sugar pizza or marinara sauce
- ½ cup mini pepperoni slices (optional, 50g)
- ½ cup diced bell peppers (75g), red or green
- 1 cup baby spinach (30g)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml), extra virgin preferred
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Dice the bell peppers into small pieces and roughly chop the spinach if the leaves are large.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the tomato sauce, oregano, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Toss in the diced bell peppers and spinach so they’re coated.
- Lay one whole wheat tortilla flat. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the sauced veggies evenly over half the tortilla, leaving a little edge.
- Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded mozzarella on top, and add a few mini pepperoni slices if using.
- Fold the tortilla over to create a half-moon shape.
- Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Carefully place the quesadilla in the pan and cook for about 3 minutes until the bottom is golden and crispy.
- Use a spatula to flip it gently, then cook another 3 minutes on the other side until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crisp.
- Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve warm. Optionally, garnish with fresh basil or a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Notes
If the tortilla browns too fast but the cheese isn’t melted, lower the heat and cover the pan for a minute to trap heat. Avoid overfilling the quesadilla and press gently when folding to prevent filling from falling out. Leftover quesadillas reheat well in a skillet or toaster oven to maintain crispiness. For dairy-free, use vegan cheese and dairy-free marinara sauce. Gluten-free wraps can be used instead of whole wheat tortillas.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla (1/4 of
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 580
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 18
Keywords: quesadilla, pizza quesadilla, after school snack, cheesy snack, healthy snack, kid-friendly, quick recipe, whole wheat, easy recipe