• About
  • Contact

Gina Gibson

simple, healthy, meals

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Salads
    • Desserts
    • Smoothies & Juices
  • Lifestyle
    • Mom Life
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Kitchen
    • Home
    • Beauty
    • Dress Me
    • Baby & Toddler
  • Homemade Products

Veggie Quesadilla with 5 Trader Joe’s Ingredients

March 26, 2020 by Gina +

this Pin this

The easy meals from Trader Joe’s series continues…

Who doesn’t love a good quesadilla? There’s something so satisfying about a warm tortilla with lots of yummy stuff melted inside. I shared this easy butternut squash quesadilla also made with just a few Trader Joe’s ingredients a couple weeks ago. This is similar in that it’s so easy, made with just a few ingredients, and way better than the usual cheese and tortilla plain quesadilla.

I use the canned refried black beans from Trader Joe’s which I have to admit, I think are freaking delicious. No lard or anything nasty that other refried beans include. I also use caramelized onions and zucchini which kick this up a notch. All brought together with a melty cheese inside a crispy flour tortilla. Easily made vegan by skipping the cheese or using a vegan alternative.

I used only 5 ingredients from Trader Joe’s. It keeps it simple and easy. These ingredients can be easily substituted out with ingredients found in most markets.

Veggie Quesadilla with 5 Trader Joe's Ingredients

Using 5 Trader Joe's ingredients, but easily substituted with ingredients from any supermarket
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Servings: 3 quesadillas
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 yellow onion
  • 2 small zucchini or 1 large
  • 1 can refried black beans from Trader Joe's
  • 3 tortillas
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Method
 

  1. Start by heating a frying pan over medium heat. Add a little oil when pan is hot
  2. Cut the onion in half, root to stem. Thinly slice each half. Add to hot pan with a good pinch of salt. Cook the onion for about 15 minutes. You want to get it caramelized. You'll need to add a little water, about 1 tbsp at a time, occasionally. I like to do this when the pan has some brown bits. Add some water and stir around. The onion will take up the brown bits.
  3. While the onion is cooking, cut the zucchini in half through the middle. Cut each half into half and cut into long slices. You want a similar length to the onion. After about 15 minutes, when the onions are really soft and browning, add the zucchini. Cook for another 5 minutes until all the veggies are super soft.
  4. Take 1 tortilla at a time. Spread a big spoonful of the beans on half, top with some veggies, then cheese. Cook for a few minutes, then flip. Repeat for the remaining two.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

I love zucchini and onion, but bell pepper, mushrooms, spinach, and other veggies are great too.  I know we could all use some more versatile meals right now.  The important thing is getting the veggies nicely cooked through and tender.

You might also like:

Butternut Squash and Black Bean Quesadillas Southwest Veggie Fritters Deconstructed Veggie Enchiladas Miso Bean Chili

Filed Under: Dinners, Recipes Tagged With: black beans, easy, meatless, quesadilla, vegetarian, Zucchini

gina_gibson_

Creamy shrimp and vegetables, topped with golden, Creamy shrimp and vegetables, topped with golden, flaky puff pastry “croutons,” all made in one skillet. This Skillet Shrimp Pot Pie is cozy, packed with flavor, and comes together in under 45 minutes — totally doable on a weeknight.

This recipe is from @TestKitchen, and it’s part of why I trust their recipes so much — thoroughly tested, reliable, and made for real life. Comment “RECIPE” and I’ll send you the link to try America’s Test Kitchen and get this one. You can also find it in my bio.

Save this for your next cozy weeknight dinner. #ad #AmericasTestKitchen #EasyDinner #WeeknightDinner
Weekend breakfast sorted. Mini croissants stuffed Weekend breakfast sorted. Mini croissants stuffed with bacon, egg, and cheese, then pressed on a hot pan until the outside gets crispy and golden.

Ingredients
Mini croissants, bacon, eggs, shredded cheese

Cut the mini croissants in half. Cook the egg and bacon. Stuff each croissant with a slice of bacon, egg, and cheese. Place on a hot pan and press down to crisp up the outside.
Some fall favorite goodies here with @babbleboxxof Some fall favorite goodies here with @babbleboxxofficial 

Loved adding @diamondcrystalsalt to a rim with a sparkling Paloma. 

We had the yummiest Cajun dinner made so easy thanks to @lafishfry. Only needed to add rice, sausage and beans. 

Loved the espresso martinis from @zingzangmix 
Low sugar and just added the vodka!

We had a delicious veggie Dion combining Greek yogurt, mayo, some seasoning and @sempio.u gochujang and @yondu.usa 

Some sweet treats with the fall flavors from @werthersoriginalus

Everything was simple to cleanup thanks to @solocup
Soft, lightly spiced pumpkin muffins made mini for Soft, lightly spiced pumpkin muffins made mini for little hands — perfect for lunchboxes or school snacks, with a protein boost you’d never taste.

Ingredients: 1 cup pumpkin puree, ½ cup cottage cheese (blended smooth with the pumpkin), 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup melted butter or oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, ¼ tsp kosher salt, ½ cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease or line a mini muffin tin. Whisk together the pumpkin puree, cottage cheese, eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt, folding just until no streaks of flour remain, then fold in the chocolate chips if using. Fill each mini muffin cup about ¾ full and bake for 10-12 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. 

Makes 24 mini muffins
This Taco Skillet is cheesy, hearty, and made with This Taco Skillet is cheesy, hearty, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have. It bakes in the oven for an easy, hands-off dinner and comes together in under 40 minutes. Make sure you’re following @gina_gibson_cooks  for easy recipes like this. 

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 cup blended cottage cheese
1 (15 oz) jar salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar or taco cheese blend
1 package taco seasoning
*chips, sour cream, avocado for topping and scooping

Preheat oven to 375°F. In an oven-safe skillet, cook ground beef and onion on medium heat until beef is browned.

Stir in taco seasoning. Add salsa, cottage cheese, the rice, then 1/2 cup water. Mix well.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes

Remove from oven, top with cheese. Serve with sour cream, avocado, and plenty of chips for scooping
This Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Loaf is everything This Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Loaf is everything you want from a fall bake — a soft, spiced crumb, juicy apples, a cinnamon swirl running through the center, and a buttery crumb topping on top.

Comment “APPLE” and I’ll send you the full recipe!

gina_gibson_

Creamy shrimp and vegetables, topped with golden, Creamy shrimp and vegetables, topped with golden, flaky puff pastry “croutons,” all made in one skillet. This Skillet Shrimp Pot Pie is cozy, packed with flavor, and comes together in under 45 minutes — totally doable on a weeknight.

This recipe is from @TestKitchen, and it’s part of why I trust their recipes so much — thoroughly tested, reliable, and made for real life. Comment “RECIPE” and I’ll send you the link to try America’s Test Kitchen and get this one. You can also find it in my bio.

Save this for your next cozy weeknight dinner. #ad #AmericasTestKitchen #EasyDinner #WeeknightDinner
Weekend breakfast sorted. Mini croissants stuffed Weekend breakfast sorted. Mini croissants stuffed with bacon, egg, and cheese, then pressed on a hot pan until the outside gets crispy and golden.

Ingredients
Mini croissants, bacon, eggs, shredded cheese

Cut the mini croissants in half. Cook the egg and bacon. Stuff each croissant with a slice of bacon, egg, and cheese. Place on a hot pan and press down to crisp up the outside.
Some fall favorite goodies here with @babbleboxxof Some fall favorite goodies here with @babbleboxxofficial 

Loved adding @diamondcrystalsalt to a rim with a sparkling Paloma. 

We had the yummiest Cajun dinner made so easy thanks to @lafishfry. Only needed to add rice, sausage and beans. 

Loved the espresso martinis from @zingzangmix 
Low sugar and just added the vodka!

We had a delicious veggie Dion combining Greek yogurt, mayo, some seasoning and @sempio.u gochujang and @yondu.usa 

Some sweet treats with the fall flavors from @werthersoriginalus

Everything was simple to cleanup thanks to @solocup
Soft, lightly spiced pumpkin muffins made mini for Soft, lightly spiced pumpkin muffins made mini for little hands — perfect for lunchboxes or school snacks, with a protein boost you’d never taste.

Ingredients: 1 cup pumpkin puree, ½ cup cottage cheese (blended smooth with the pumpkin), 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup melted butter or oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, ¼ tsp kosher salt, ½ cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease or line a mini muffin tin. Whisk together the pumpkin puree, cottage cheese, eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt, folding just until no streaks of flour remain, then fold in the chocolate chips if using. Fill each mini muffin cup about ¾ full and bake for 10-12 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. 

Makes 24 mini muffins
This Taco Skillet is cheesy, hearty, and made with This Taco Skillet is cheesy, hearty, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have. It bakes in the oven for an easy, hands-off dinner and comes together in under 40 minutes. Make sure you’re following @gina_gibson_cooks  for easy recipes like this. 

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 cup blended cottage cheese
1 (15 oz) jar salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar or taco cheese blend
1 package taco seasoning
*chips, sour cream, avocado for topping and scooping

Preheat oven to 375°F. In an oven-safe skillet, cook ground beef and onion on medium heat until beef is browned.

Stir in taco seasoning. Add salsa, cottage cheese, the rice, then 1/2 cup water. Mix well.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes

Remove from oven, top with cheese. Serve with sour cream, avocado, and plenty of chips for scooping
This Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Loaf is everything This Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Loaf is everything you want from a fall bake — a soft, spiced crumb, juicy apples, a cinnamon swirl running through the center, and a buttery crumb topping on top.

Comment “APPLE” and I’ll send you the full recipe!

gina_gibson_

Creamy shrimp and vegetables, topped with golden, Creamy shrimp and vegetables, topped with golden, flaky puff pastry “croutons,” all made in one skillet. This Skillet Shrimp Pot Pie is cozy, packed with flavor, and comes together in under 45 minutes — totally doable on a weeknight.

This recipe is from @TestKitchen, and it’s part of why I trust their recipes so much — thoroughly tested, reliable, and made for real life. Comment “RECIPE” and I’ll send you the link to try America’s Test Kitchen and get this one. You can also find it in my bio.

Save this for your next cozy weeknight dinner. #ad #AmericasTestKitchen #EasyDinner #WeeknightDinner
Weekend breakfast sorted. Mini croissants stuffed Weekend breakfast sorted. Mini croissants stuffed with bacon, egg, and cheese, then pressed on a hot pan until the outside gets crispy and golden.

Ingredients
Mini croissants, bacon, eggs, shredded cheese

Cut the mini croissants in half. Cook the egg and bacon. Stuff each croissant with a slice of bacon, egg, and cheese. Place on a hot pan and press down to crisp up the outside.
Some fall favorite goodies here with @babbleboxxof Some fall favorite goodies here with @babbleboxxofficial 

Loved adding @diamondcrystalsalt to a rim with a sparkling Paloma. 

We had the yummiest Cajun dinner made so easy thanks to @lafishfry. Only needed to add rice, sausage and beans. 

Loved the espresso martinis from @zingzangmix 
Low sugar and just added the vodka!

We had a delicious veggie Dion combining Greek yogurt, mayo, some seasoning and @sempio.u gochujang and @yondu.usa 

Some sweet treats with the fall flavors from @werthersoriginalus

Everything was simple to cleanup thanks to @solocup
Soft, lightly spiced pumpkin muffins made mini for Soft, lightly spiced pumpkin muffins made mini for little hands — perfect for lunchboxes or school snacks, with a protein boost you’d never taste.

Ingredients: 1 cup pumpkin puree, ½ cup cottage cheese (blended smooth with the pumpkin), 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup melted butter or oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, ¼ tsp kosher salt, ½ cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease or line a mini muffin tin. Whisk together the pumpkin puree, cottage cheese, eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt, folding just until no streaks of flour remain, then fold in the chocolate chips if using. Fill each mini muffin cup about ¾ full and bake for 10-12 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. 

Makes 24 mini muffins
This Taco Skillet is cheesy, hearty, and made with This Taco Skillet is cheesy, hearty, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have. It bakes in the oven for an easy, hands-off dinner and comes together in under 40 minutes. Make sure you’re following @gina_gibson_cooks  for easy recipes like this. 

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 cup blended cottage cheese
1 (15 oz) jar salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar or taco cheese blend
1 package taco seasoning
*chips, sour cream, avocado for topping and scooping

Preheat oven to 375°F. In an oven-safe skillet, cook ground beef and onion on medium heat until beef is browned.

Stir in taco seasoning. Add salsa, cottage cheese, the rice, then 1/2 cup water. Mix well.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes

Remove from oven, top with cheese. Serve with sour cream, avocado, and plenty of chips for scooping
This Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Loaf is everything This Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Loaf is everything you want from a fall bake — a soft, spiced crumb, juicy apples, a cinnamon swirl running through the center, and a buttery crumb topping on top.

Comment “APPLE” and I’ll send you the full recipe!

Copyright © 2026 · Daphne v2 · Designed by Designer Blogs