Try these healthy Spinach Quesadillas for an easy and fast kids meal or family dinner. These are easy to make, perfect to make ahead, and a nice way to serve spinach to kids packaged in a familiar food!
I know that many kids are fans of plain cheese quesadillas or bean and cheese quesadillas, and we make them a lot in our house for easy meals, but I also like to make a version with greens—yet that taste just as good.
We love to share a batch of these Spinach Quesadillas on Tuesday nights when we have Mexican food because they’re easy, nutritious, and they store well if made ahead or warmed up as leftovers.
These quesadillas are soft and easy to chew for toddlers, too. Simply cut them into wedges or small pieces for younger kids to chew easily.
I enjoy this simple meal as much as the kids do, though I’m prone to dipping my quesadillas into spicy salsa. These vegetarian quesadillas have protein, iron, and vitamin A, plus a soft texture for little kids.
(You may also like Spinach Muffins, Spinach Eggs, and Spinach Grilled Cheese.)
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need
To make these Easy Spinach Quesadillas, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go.
- Baby spinach: I usually make this with a bag of pre-washed baby spinach from the store, but you can also use full size spinach. If you wash your spinach rather than using pre-washed, make sure to dry it thoroughly. You can also use frozen spinach. Just thaw and squeeze it dry first.
- Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese, either mild or sharp, works nicely in this spinach quesadilla mix.
- Cream cheese: This adds extra creaminess to the mixture, so I like to add it here.
- Cumin and chili powder: Adding these dried spices add flavor to the spinach mixture.
- Small tortillas: I usually use taco or fajita-size tortillas to make these for kids. I use yellow corn tortillas in this recipe, though you could use a whole grain flour tortilla if you prefer. Look for ones labeled “soft” so they’re super easy for the kids to chew.
Optional Ingredients
If you’d like to, you can add a thin layer of black beans, shredded chicken, or steak to add more protein to these spinach quesadillas.
You can also add sweet corn kernels for more flavor, too.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the process involved in making these Easy Spinach Quesadillas. Scroll down to the end of this post for the full information.
Step 1. Wilt the spinach and drain if needed.
Step 2. Place the ingredients into a food processor and blend to make the filling.
Step 3. Spread filling onto tortillas and top each with a second tortilla. (Or you can put the filling on half of the tortilla and fold it over.)
Step 4. Cook quesadillas in a skillet until just golden brown and melty. Serve warm with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or any other dipping sauce if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use it to make Spinach Grilled Cheese or spread it onto toast for an easy meal.
The ones that are easiest to chew are the ones labeled u0022softu0022. Or ones made with a corn and flour blend are often both easy to chew and flavorful.
Cut into wedges or strips to help the quesadillas be easier for little kids to bite and chew.
Make-Ahead Tips
There are two ways you can make spinach quesadillas ahead. You can make the filling and store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days until ready to make the meal. Or, you can assemble the quesadillas completely, wrap them in foil or plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge until ready to cook. Both methods work well.
Serving Suggestions
We like to eat these Spinach Quesadillas with a simple side of slow cooker black beans and fruit. Or you could do corn and black beans or guacamole! The quesadillas themselves are very flavorful, though they are definitely even more delish when dipped into salsa.
Best Tips for Success
- Use baby spinach or regular size spinach leaves with the stems discarded.
- Drain the spinach after it’s wilted if you see any liquid in the bowl.
- Process the spinach-cheese mixture until it’s smooth.
- Spread a thin layer of filling onto the tortillas—about 1/4-inch will be plenty.
- Use corn or flour tortillas as you like.
- Look for tortillas labeled “soft” so they’re super easy for the kids to chew.
- Let spinach quesadillas cool for a minute or so before slicing into wedges.
- If you have more spinach to use, try Iron-Rich Foods for Kids, Spinach Grilled Cheese, Cheesy Spinach, and Spinach Baby Food.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback if you try this recipe, so please comment below!
Easy Spinach Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 4 cups baby spinach (loosely packed when measuring)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon chili powder
- 12 small tortillas (corn or flour)
Instructions
- Place the spinach into a heat-safe bowl and cook in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or until wilted. Let cool slightly. Press between a clean kitchen towel or paper towel briefly to absorb any excess moisture.
- Place the spinach, cheese, cream cheese, salt, cumin, and chili powder into a food processor. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Spread spinach mixture onto 6 tortillas and top each with a second tortilla.
- Warm a skillet over medium heat. When warm, cook each quesadilla for 2-3 minutes per side or until just golden brown and melty.
- Cut into wedges and serve warm.
Notes
- You can store any leftover spinach mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm briefly in the oven wrapped in foil, or on a plate in the microwave.
- Use baby spinach or regular size spinach leaves with the stems discarded.
- Drain the spinach after it’s wilted if you see any liquid in the bowl.
- Process the spinach-cheese mixture until it’s smooth.
- Spread a thin layer of filling onto the tortillas—about 1/4-inch will be plenty.
- Use corn or flour tortillas as you like.
- Let quesadillas cool for a minute or so before slicing into wedges.
- If sharing with a baby or younger toddler, make without the salt and taste it. Add a little salt to taste if needed.
Nutrition
This post was first published July 2019.
This was such a helpful recipe to stumble upon! I was in desperate need of a quick lunch before nap times and this fit the bill. I subbed mozzarella and mostly swiss for my cheeses. I used cumin, garlic, and onion (1/4tsp each) for my seasoning. It was such a simple way to squeeze spinach into lunch. The 1 and 3-year old both gobbled it up!
LOVE THIS RECIPE! I’ve made it several times for my toddler. Have you ever frozen the spinach cheese mixture? I only have one kid and so we always have leftover mixture. Would love to save the mixture for another day, making it easier to whip up.
4 months later and still no reply. If you found the answer please post. I would love to know!
Hello- Please remember that I am a human and there are times that questions slip past. Yes, you can freeze the mixture, then thaw it and use it again. Enjoy.
Thank you so much best recipe ever to add spinach for my little guy. And so many possibilities to modify and other ingredients as well.
I’m always looking for lunches that are quick, tasty and healthy for my toddler. She loves all veggies so I thought I’d give these a try as I haven’t made anything with spinach lately. These are delicious! She wanted to taste the mixture right out of the processor and kept wanting more! I had to cut her off so I still had some for the quesadillas! I’m going to make this mixture again soon and try it on paninis with some sliced tomatoes. Thanks so much!
Can you make these using your sheet pan in the oven method? I love your black bean sheet pan quesadilla recipe so hoping this spinach recipe could work in the oven too. If so, what temp and for how long ?
You can totally use the same timing and temperature in that recipe for this one!
Can these be pre-made and eaten cold the next day? Thinking of my little one’s lunchbox. Thanks!
Sure, if they enjoy them that way!
Would greek yogurt work instead of cream cheese?
I haven’t tried that but it might. It may just be a little thinner as a mixture
Does cashew cheese work? Baby is allergic to dairy unfortunately and alternative cheese is unchartered territory for our family.
You can use any nondairy cheese your family enjoys.
These are delicious! My picky eater loves them, and I may have stolen a few bites too 😉
Absolutely delicious! Easy to add some grilled chicken if needed. Whole family loves them, and on bread as a grilled cheese too!
In the midst of the picky phase with my 15 month old and I really needed a win. Not only did she try, eat, and love this but my husband and I did too! So worth the bit of extra effort taking out the food processor to make a truly yummy quesadilla!
I’m so glad to hear that!