Pinto Bean Recipes:
Easy Baked Quesadilla Pie

Not only is this Quesadilla Pie a complete meal, but it is fun to put together. Get the kids to help!

• in the cupboard
  • garlic
  • canned pinto beans

• in the fridge or freezer
  • cottage cheese
  • eggs
  • Monteray Jack cheese
  • salsa
  • frozen corn
  • flour tortillas

Buy these fresh ingredients

• spinach
• cilantro
• tomato

Get out your equipment

• Essential
  • a large bowl
  • a cutting board and sharp knife
  • a saucepan with steamer basket
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • a baking sheet

• Nice to have but not necessary
  • a food processor or heavy-duty blender (if not, use a potato masher to mix the cottage cheese mixture)
  • kitchen shears for cutting the pie into wedges
  
  
  

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  The recipe

  1 bunch (10 oz/280 g) fresh spinach

  2 cups/500 mL cottage cheese

  1 egg

  1/4 cup/60 mL grated Monteray Jack cheese

  2 cloves garlic, pressed

  1 can (19 oz/540 mL) pinto beans, drained and rinsed

  1 cup/250 mL salsa

  1/2 cup/125 mL corn kernels

  2 Tbsp/30 mL fresh cilantro, chopped

  8 large flour tortillas

  1 large tomato, sliced

  1/2 cup/125 mL grated Monteray Jack cheese
  
  

  Preheat the oven to 350F/180C.

  Stem, wash and chop the spinach.
  Steam it until it is wilted.
  Put it into a large bowl.
  

  In a blender, process the cottage cheese, egg, first amount of cheese, and garlic.
  Add this to the spinach bowl.
  Stir to mix.
  

  Add the beans to the bowl.
  Mash them with a potato masher or a fork.
  

  Add the salsa, the corn and the cilantro.
  Stir to mix.
  

  Place one tortilla on a baking sheet.
  Scoop some spinach mixture on top, and spread it evenly.
  

  Cover with another tortilla and another scoopful.
  Continue until you have used all 8 tortillas and all of the filling (ending with a tortilla).
  

  Arrange the sliced tomato on top.
  

  Sprinkle second amount of cheese over top.
  

  Bake for 30 minutes.
  
  

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  Substitutions
  • Soak and cook your own pinto beans. You'll need 2 cups/500 mL cooked beans.

  • Use Swiss chard or another leafy green in place of the spinach.

  • Use mozzarella or another meltable cheese in place of the Monteray Jack.

  • Use corn tortillas in place of the whole wheat.

  • Use canned or fresh corn kernels instead of frozen.

  Ideas for making this recipe your own

  • Adjust the spiciness of this dish by choosing a mild, medium or hot salsa. You could even add some hot peppers or hot sauce for an even spicier meal.

  • Use another variety of beans. How about black beans, or roman beans, or a combination?

  • Make your own homemade salsa.

  Tips

  • If you use frozen corn, thaw it by placing it in a metal strainer and running it under cool water before adding it to the bowl.
  
  
  

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  Menu suggestion

  Serve this dish with

  • a green salad
    
    

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    If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like these other pinto bean recipes:
    • Tangy Baked Beans with Apple
    • Refried Beans
      
      

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