Sweet Potato Quesadillas Quick Easy Healthy

Sweet Potato Quesadillas

I love having a few back pocket meals that I can make for my kids in minutes and these vegetarian quesadillas are one of our favorites. Plus, as long as I have mashed sweet potato in the fridge—which is often something I meal prep on the weekend—they come together so darn quick.’ Sweet potatoes, which are rich in Vitamin A and fiber, have a natural sweetness that pairs really nicely with Mexican flavors. The result is a moist and tender quesadilla that’s flavorful, yet mild for little kids. (And us parents will love them too!) TIP: You can make these vegetarian or add in some chicken or beef if you prefer.

Ingredients You Need

To make these vegetarian quesadillas, you’ll need:T

Tortillas, either soft corn or soft flour, which will be easiest to fold and chew.Mashed sweet potato: You can make this ahead of time or use jarred or canned sweet potato puree.Shredded cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheeseCuminOptional: You can also add black beans, shredded chicken, chopped spinach, or sweet corn to these quesadillas.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the process involved in making this easy dinner. Scroll down to the end of this post for the full information. TIP: Serve warm with salsa, sour cream, and/or guacamole as desired.

Which tortillas are best for this recipe?

You can use whichever you prefer, either corn, flour, or whole wheat. I like to look for ones that say “soft” regardless of what they’re made of to ensure that they hold together well. I also recommend using the smaller 6-inch(ish) size of tortilla, though this recipe will work with any size—even the tiny ones for street tacos now available!

Healthy Quesadillas for Kids

This recipe isn’t quite as loaded with cheese as traditional ones, and with a veggie in the mix it’s a more balanced vegetarian main dish. Use corn or whole grain tortillas to add more fiber to the meal too.

How to Cook Sweet Potatoes for Quesadillas

I like to use leftover mashed sweet potato since it has such good flavor, but you can also quickly cook sweet potato in the microwave. Simply peel the potato and chop. Add to a heat-safe bowl of water and cook for about 5 minutes or until the sweet potato is soft when poked with a fork. Drain and mash. TIP: You can use mashed butternut squash or even pumpkin puree in place of the sweet potato if you prefer.

What should I serve with these quesadillas?

We like to do simple sides such as pinto beans, black beans, sweet corn, or fruit. You can also serve with salsa, guacamole or sour cream for dipping.

Best Tips for Success

You can add black beans, shredded chicken, chopped spinach, or sweet corn to these quesadillas.You can also warm these briefly in the microwave if you prefer.You can use whichever tortillas you prefer, either corn, flour, or whole wheat. “Soft” tortillas are usually easiest for kids to chew.Cut up quickly using kitchen scissors.Gluten-free: Use corn tortillas or ones that specify “gluten-free” on the package.Dairy-free: Omit the cheese. They will not hold together quite as well, but the sweet potato will still hold the tortillas in place.To cook the sweet potato in the microwave: Simply peel the potato and chop. Add to a heat-safe bowl of water and cook for about 5 minutes or until the sweet potato is soft when poked with a fork. Drain and mash.You can use mashed butternut squash or even pumpkin puree in place of the sweet potato if you prefer.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please chime in below to share!