Rosemary White Bean and Kale Quesadillas

Rosemary White Bean and Kale Quesadillas are filled with an amazing combination of white beans, kale, garlic, shallots, a touch of red pepper flakes, and lots of cheese for one tasty vegetarian meal. We also love these easy Freezer Breakfast Quesadillas and Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas.

When I am pressed for time to make lunch or dinner, quesadillas are often something that comes to mind. Not only are they fast and easy, but they can also be filled with almost anything you already have at home. Usually, to fill my quesadillas I think about three things - protein, veggies, and all the cheese.

In this delicious kale and white bean quesadilla, the protein comes from the mashed white beans. For the veggie, I went with kale. You could use spinach or any combination of veggies you like. Then I went with a simple mozzarella, but any cheese would work. I like to add some spices to my veggie and bean mixture and since this recipe was leaning in an Italian direction, I went with rosemary, which I love. And I couldn't resist and added some garlic, shallots, and red pepper flakes because they make everything taste better.

Now when it comes to making quesadillas, I usually opt for a lower carb tortilla to lighten things up since they tend to fewer calories than traditional tortillas and also pack in extra fiber and protein. And if it's not a low carb option, then usually I try to reach for something that is made with whole grains.

Also, I almost always make a big batch so that I can freeze the extras for quick meals. I find the best way to freeze quesadillas is to first let them cool completely. Then once they are cooled, wrap them in wax paper to prevent sticking and store them in a large freezer safe ziploc bag.

Tips for Making these White Bean Quesadillas

• Don't be afraid to try out different spices and herbs. While I reached for rosemary, thyme, basil, or oregano would also be delicious. Similarly, you could use Italian seasoning for a combination of rosemary, thyme, oregano, and dried basil.
• Although I love kale, I realize it isn't for everyone. This recipe also comes out great with spinach, chopped broccoli, shredded Brussels sprouts, or mushrooms.
• If you don't have canned white beans on hand, you can replace them with black beans, pinto beans, or even chickpeas.
• Definitely consider making a giant batch of these quesadillas and freezing them for future meals. They freeze really well and are great to have on hand. Make sure to let them cool completely before freezing and wrap them in wax paper so they don't stick together.
• For a vegan version of this recipe, you could leave out the cheese and add some nutritional yeast to the bean mixture. You could also use your favorite vegan cheese. Since it will be a bit drier without the cheese, make sure to have some salsa or vegan salad dressing on the side for dipping.
• While these quesadillas are delicious with salsa, they are also really great dipped in a healthy ranch dressing, drizzled with tahini, or topped with some Greek yogurt and lemon juice.

What types of beans should I use?

When it comes to white beans, there are basically four varieties out there - cannellini beans, navy beans, Great Northern beans, and baby lima beans. All of them would work for this quesadillas, but I tend to like cannellini beans the best. They have a bit of nutty flavor that works really well with the kale. With that said, any white bean will work and you could also use a different bean like a pinto bean, black bean, or chickpea.

What to serve with kale and white bean quesadillas?

There are so many different options when it comes to serving these white bean and kale quesadillas. Normally I always start with salsa and my favorite option is a smoky chipotle salsa or a tangy green salsa. Once you have the salsa, I like to add some sliced avocado on top of the quesadilla. It adds healthy fat and flavor to the dish. And I want avocado with everything. Finally, I will sometimes serve this with a small side salad or a bowl of tomato soup when I am extra hungry. The tomato soup is perfect for dipping. 

These are the tools I used when preparing this recipe:

• Using a nonstick pan is the way to go when it comes to quesadillas since it ensures any cheese that seeps out won't stick to the pan. There are all kinds of nonstick pans on the market but I have been using these All Clad Nonstick Fry Pans for years and love them. The nonstick surface hasn't deteriorated at all over tons of use and they still work like the first time I used them. Also just FYI, it's best not to use aerosol on non-stick pans since it can damage the surface. Look for a non-aerosol cooking spray or use regular oil if you need anything.
• For freezing quesadillas, I find it works best to wrap the quesadillas in wax paper to prevent sticking and then store them in a large freezer safe ziploc bag.