Heart-Healthy Beef Quesadilla

Satisfy your cravings while nourishing your heart with this flavorful Heart-Healthy Beef Quesadilla recipe! Made with lean ground beef and nutrient-packed ingredients like whole wheat tortillas, fresh baby spinach, and low-sodium black beans, this dish combines savory goodness with wholesome nutrition. The filling is generously seasoned with fragrant garlic, ground cumin, and chili powder, then layered with melted reduced-fat cheddar for a comforting yet healthy twist. Diced red bell peppers and fresh cilantro add vibrant color and a refreshing crunch, while a squeeze of lime juice ties everything together beautifully. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun family meal, these quesadillas are golden, crispy, and ready in just 35 minutes. Ideal for anyone seeking a guilt-free, protein-packed Tex-Mex treat that doesn’t sacrifice flavor!

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
• 4 8-inch whole wheat tortillas
• 1 cup low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
• 1 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

Step 2

Add the red onion, red bell pepper, and garlic to the beef in the skillet. Saute until the vegetables are tender, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the black beans, cumin, and chili powder. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat the beans through.

Step 4

Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 5

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro.

Step 6

In a clean skillet or griddle, heat the remaining teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat.

Step 7

Place one tortilla on the griddle, sprinkle a quarter of the cheese evenly over half of the tortilla, then add a quarter of the beef and vegetable mixture over the cheese. Fold the tortilla in half to cover filling.

Step 8

Cook until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese melts, about 3-4 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.

Step 9

Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1281.5 grams (1281.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2066

Total Fat 101.20g	130%
Saturated Fat 34.30g	172%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 250mg	83%
Sodium 2343mg	102%
Total Carbohydrate 171.50g	62%
Dietary Fiber 37.30g	133%
Total Sugars 15.80g
Protein 125.20g	250%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1323mg	102%
Iron 23mg	126%
Potassium 3209mg	68%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.4%

Protein: 23.9%

Carbs: 32.7%