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Veggie Quesadilla with 5 Trader Joe’s Ingredients

March 26, 2020 by Gina +

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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

High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels If you’ve be High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels

If you’ve been looking for an easy homemade bagel recipe, these baked jalapeño cheddar bagels are so good. They have a slightly crisp outside, soft inside, lots of cheesy flavor, and around 14g protein each.

Made with Greek yogurt, flour, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños, this is a simple high protein breakfast, meal prep idea, or snack recipe.

125g all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
180g plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 jalapeños, finely diced and seeds removed
1 egg for egg wash
Extra cheddar + jalapeños for topping

How to:
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in Greek yogurt until a dough forms. Fold in cheddar and jalapeños. Knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Add more flour slowly if the dough is too sticky. Careful not to add too much. Divide into 4 pieces and shape into bagels. Brush with egg wash and top with extra cheese and jalapeños. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.

Save this easy bagel recipe for later
If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, this crispy feta fried egg recipe is so good.

I sprinkle feta cheese directly into a hot pan, add a little chili crisp, crack two eggs in the center, then cover until cooked. The feta gets golden and crispy around the edges and the eggs stay soft in the middle.

Simple, flavorful, high in protein, and ready in minutes.

2 ish tbsp feta cheese
2 eggs
Chili crisp
Salt

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. I add a little butter. Then sprinkle feta into the pan in a circle.
Drizzle with a little chili crisp
Crack two eggs into the center.
Cover and cook until eggs are done to your liking.

Perfect with toast,  tortilla or on its own.

Save this easy breakfast recipe and follow for more simple meals.
If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana brea If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana bread and make this instead 🍌

This Banana Snack Cake is soft, moist, loaded with banana flavor, filled with mini chocolate chips, and topped with the most delicious buttery crumble.

Perfect for after-school snacks, coffee, or dessert. 

Save this one for the next time your bananas get too ripe.

Recipe is linked in my profile or comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe.
Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍 Recipe Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍
Recipe is below 

This is my current high-protein obsession.

It’s my healthier take on egg salad and I might like it even more than the classic version.

Creamy yolks mashed with cottage cheese, chopped egg whites, lots of salt and pepper, then piled onto toasted sourdough with green onion and dill.

2 hard boiled eggs
4 tbsp cottage cheese, divided
Salt + pepper
Toasted sourdough
Green onion
Fresh dill

Optional 
Pickled jalapeños
Sriracha 
Extra herbs
Everything seasoning

Separate yolks from whites
Mash yolks with 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Chop whites and mix with remaining 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Combine everything and season well
Add to toasted sourdough
Top with green onion, dill, and anything extra you love

And don’t forget to follow for more easy recipes
An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. I’m br An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. 

I’m bringing this one back because it deserves another moment.
This is seriously one of the best pastas I’ve made lately.

The sauce is creamy, garlicky, and is so easy to make at home.

If you’re stuck making the same meals on repeat, make this your next pasta night.

RECIPE is linked in my bio (if you don’t want to comment 🙃) or comment PASTA and I’ll send it to you.
Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easie Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easiest high-protein dinners 🍔🍟

Crispy crinkle fries, double lean beef, melty cheddar, all the burger toppings, and a creamy burger sauce.

Save this one for a busy night

🍔 High-Protein Loaded Burger Sheet Pan Fries

1 bag crinkle cut frozen fries 
2 lbs very lean ground beef
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt + pepper
2–3 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp yellow mustard
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
6–8 slices cheddar cheese

Toppings
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Pickles

Burger Sauce
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp mustard
1–2 tbsp pickle juice
Pinch garlic powder

Bake fries according to package directions until extra crispy.
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire. Cook until flavorful and slightly saucy.
Spread fries on a sheet pan and top evenly with beef.
Add cheddar slices over the top.
Return to oven for 3–5 minutes until melted.
Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Mix burger sauce ingredients and drizzle over everything. Serve immediately. 

* if planning for leftovers don’t add toppings immediately.
** I doubled the ground beef and the seasoning for extra protein. If you only use 1 pound of ground beef cut everything else in half.
High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels If you’ve be High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels

If you’ve been looking for an easy homemade bagel recipe, these baked jalapeño cheddar bagels are so good. They have a slightly crisp outside, soft inside, lots of cheesy flavor, and around 14g protein each.

Made with Greek yogurt, flour, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños, this is a simple high protein breakfast, meal prep idea, or snack recipe.

125g all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
180g plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 jalapeños, finely diced and seeds removed
1 egg for egg wash
Extra cheddar + jalapeños for topping

How to:
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in Greek yogurt until a dough forms. Fold in cheddar and jalapeños. Knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Add more flour slowly if the dough is too sticky. Careful not to add too much. Divide into 4 pieces and shape into bagels. Brush with egg wash and top with extra cheese and jalapeños. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.

Save this easy bagel recipe for later
If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, this crispy feta fried egg recipe is so good.

I sprinkle feta cheese directly into a hot pan, add a little chili crisp, crack two eggs in the center, then cover until cooked. The feta gets golden and crispy around the edges and the eggs stay soft in the middle.

Simple, flavorful, high in protein, and ready in minutes.

2 ish tbsp feta cheese
2 eggs
Chili crisp
Salt

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. I add a little butter. Then sprinkle feta into the pan in a circle.
Drizzle with a little chili crisp
Crack two eggs into the center.
Cover and cook until eggs are done to your liking.

Perfect with toast,  tortilla or on its own.

Save this easy breakfast recipe and follow for more simple meals.
If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana brea If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana bread and make this instead 🍌

This Banana Snack Cake is soft, moist, loaded with banana flavor, filled with mini chocolate chips, and topped with the most delicious buttery crumble.

Perfect for after-school snacks, coffee, or dessert. 

Save this one for the next time your bananas get too ripe.

Recipe is linked in my profile or comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe.
Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍 Recipe Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍
Recipe is below 

This is my current high-protein obsession.

It’s my healthier take on egg salad and I might like it even more than the classic version.

Creamy yolks mashed with cottage cheese, chopped egg whites, lots of salt and pepper, then piled onto toasted sourdough with green onion and dill.

2 hard boiled eggs
4 tbsp cottage cheese, divided
Salt + pepper
Toasted sourdough
Green onion
Fresh dill

Optional 
Pickled jalapeños
Sriracha 
Extra herbs
Everything seasoning

Separate yolks from whites
Mash yolks with 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Chop whites and mix with remaining 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Combine everything and season well
Add to toasted sourdough
Top with green onion, dill, and anything extra you love

And don’t forget to follow for more easy recipes
An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. I’m br An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. 

I’m bringing this one back because it deserves another moment.
This is seriously one of the best pastas I’ve made lately.

The sauce is creamy, garlicky, and is so easy to make at home.

If you’re stuck making the same meals on repeat, make this your next pasta night.

RECIPE is linked in my bio (if you don’t want to comment 🙃) or comment PASTA and I’ll send it to you.
Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easie Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easiest high-protein dinners 🍔🍟

Crispy crinkle fries, double lean beef, melty cheddar, all the burger toppings, and a creamy burger sauce.

Save this one for a busy night

🍔 High-Protein Loaded Burger Sheet Pan Fries

1 bag crinkle cut frozen fries 
2 lbs very lean ground beef
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt + pepper
2–3 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp yellow mustard
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
6–8 slices cheddar cheese

Toppings
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Pickles

Burger Sauce
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp mustard
1–2 tbsp pickle juice
Pinch garlic powder

Bake fries according to package directions until extra crispy.
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire. Cook until flavorful and slightly saucy.
Spread fries on a sheet pan and top evenly with beef.
Add cheddar slices over the top.
Return to oven for 3–5 minutes until melted.
Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Mix burger sauce ingredients and drizzle over everything. Serve immediately. 

* if planning for leftovers don’t add toppings immediately.
** I doubled the ground beef and the seasoning for extra protein. If you only use 1 pound of ground beef cut everything else in half.
High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels If you’ve be High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels

If you’ve been looking for an easy homemade bagel recipe, these baked jalapeño cheddar bagels are so good. They have a slightly crisp outside, soft inside, lots of cheesy flavor, and around 14g protein each.

Made with Greek yogurt, flour, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños, this is a simple high protein breakfast, meal prep idea, or snack recipe.

125g all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
180g plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 jalapeños, finely diced and seeds removed
1 egg for egg wash
Extra cheddar + jalapeños for topping

How to:
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in Greek yogurt until a dough forms. Fold in cheddar and jalapeños. Knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Add more flour slowly if the dough is too sticky. Careful not to add too much. Divide into 4 pieces and shape into bagels. Brush with egg wash and top with extra cheese and jalapeños. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.

Save this easy bagel recipe for later
If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, this crispy feta fried egg recipe is so good.

I sprinkle feta cheese directly into a hot pan, add a little chili crisp, crack two eggs in the center, then cover until cooked. The feta gets golden and crispy around the edges and the eggs stay soft in the middle.

Simple, flavorful, high in protein, and ready in minutes.

2 ish tbsp feta cheese
2 eggs
Chili crisp
Salt

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. I add a little butter. Then sprinkle feta into the pan in a circle.
Drizzle with a little chili crisp
Crack two eggs into the center.
Cover and cook until eggs are done to your liking.

Perfect with toast,  tortilla or on its own.

Save this easy breakfast recipe and follow for more simple meals.
If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana brea If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana bread and make this instead 🍌

This Banana Snack Cake is soft, moist, loaded with banana flavor, filled with mini chocolate chips, and topped with the most delicious buttery crumble.

Perfect for after-school snacks, coffee, or dessert. 

Save this one for the next time your bananas get too ripe.

Recipe is linked in my profile or comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe.
Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍 Recipe Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍
Recipe is below 

This is my current high-protein obsession.

It’s my healthier take on egg salad and I might like it even more than the classic version.

Creamy yolks mashed with cottage cheese, chopped egg whites, lots of salt and pepper, then piled onto toasted sourdough with green onion and dill.

2 hard boiled eggs
4 tbsp cottage cheese, divided
Salt + pepper
Toasted sourdough
Green onion
Fresh dill

Optional 
Pickled jalapeños
Sriracha 
Extra herbs
Everything seasoning

Separate yolks from whites
Mash yolks with 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Chop whites and mix with remaining 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Combine everything and season well
Add to toasted sourdough
Top with green onion, dill, and anything extra you love

And don’t forget to follow for more easy recipes
An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. I’m br An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. 

I’m bringing this one back because it deserves another moment.
This is seriously one of the best pastas I’ve made lately.

The sauce is creamy, garlicky, and is so easy to make at home.

If you’re stuck making the same meals on repeat, make this your next pasta night.

RECIPE is linked in my bio (if you don’t want to comment 🙃) or comment PASTA and I’ll send it to you.
Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easie Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easiest high-protein dinners 🍔🍟

Crispy crinkle fries, double lean beef, melty cheddar, all the burger toppings, and a creamy burger sauce.

Save this one for a busy night

🍔 High-Protein Loaded Burger Sheet Pan Fries

1 bag crinkle cut frozen fries 
2 lbs very lean ground beef
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt + pepper
2–3 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp yellow mustard
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
6–8 slices cheddar cheese

Toppings
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Pickles

Burger Sauce
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp mustard
1–2 tbsp pickle juice
Pinch garlic powder

Bake fries according to package directions until extra crispy.
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire. Cook until flavorful and slightly saucy.
Spread fries on a sheet pan and top evenly with beef.
Add cheddar slices over the top.
Return to oven for 3–5 minutes until melted.
Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Mix burger sauce ingredients and drizzle over everything. Serve immediately. 

* if planning for leftovers don’t add toppings immediately.
** I doubled the ground beef and the seasoning for extra protein. If you only use 1 pound of ground beef cut everything else in half.

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