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Baked Spinach Mushroom Quesadillas

Quick, easy, and cheesy—perfect for busy weeknights. Healthy, vegetarian, and packable for kids’ lunches.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Vegetarian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Quesadilla Ingredients
  • 8 large large flour tortillas (10-inch) whole wheat or gluten-free if needed
  • 10 oz baby spinach, washed and roughly chopped
  • 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced thin
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional, but lovely)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (plus extra to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (optional — for extra creaminess)
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Cooking spray or a little extra olive oil for brushing

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
  2. Warm 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5–7 minutes until they release their moisture and start to brown. Stir in the garlic and cook another minute.
  4. Toss in the chopped spinach, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook just until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. If using cream cheese, stir it in now so it melts into the mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  5. Combine the shredded cheeses in a bowl.
Assembly
  1. Lay out four tortillas on a flat surface. Spoon an even amount of the spinach-mushroom mix onto one half of each tortilla, then sprinkle generously with the cheese blend and a little cilantro if using.
  2. Fold the tortilla over to form a half-moon. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
Baking
  1. Lightly brush or spray both sides of each quesadilla with olive oil. Place on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cheese is melted.
  2. For extra crispiness, broil for 1 minute per side at the end — watch carefully so they don't burn.
Serving
  1. Let quesadillas rest for 2 minutes, then cut into wedges. Serve with salsa, Greek yogurt or sour cream, and a squeeze of lime.

Notes

Don't overcrowd the pan when sautéing mushrooms. If your spinach mixture feels watery, let it cool a minute and press with a spatula to remove excess moisture before adding to tortillas. Whole wheat tortillas play nicely with mushrooms, but white tortillas give you the gold-standard crisp.