Vegan Quesadillas with Smoky Cheese and Refried Beans

Jump to Recipe
These vegan quesadillas are made with a spreadable smoky cashew cheese, easy spiced refried beans, and sticky sweet onions, making them the ultimate comfort food! Plus, they’re made with exclusively pantry ingredients!
Prep 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook 30 minutes
Total 1 hour 40 minutes
5 from 34 votes

One of my favorite easy comfort food meals is quesadillas, and since my Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Quesadillas, are probably the most popular recipe on my blog, I figured it was time to share another quesadilla recipe.

Enter these Vegan Quesadillas with Smoky Cheese and Refried Beans, which are made with exclusively pantry ingredients!

Vegan Quesadillas with Smoky Cheese and Refried Beans

Why you’re going to like this recipe 

Pantry staples. And all the ingredients, from the cheese to the onions to the beans are made with pantry ingredients (i.e., you might already have all the required ingredients in your pantry).

Pure comfort food. Smoky cashew cheese, spiced refried beans, and sticky sweet onions get wrapped in tortillas and pan-fried until crispy and browned. It’s truly an epic comfort food meal!

Spreadable vegan cheese. I love making vegan cheese sauces (this one is my favorite, along with the vegan queso in my cookbook), but sometimes you want a vegan cheese that’s spreadable. And since I’m not venturing into grocery stores nilly willy (as of today (April 14), I haven’t been to a grocery store in a month, which is certainly a record for me), I can’t just go buy some spreadable vegan cheese. So, I decided to make make my own!

Packed with flavor. Despite being a pantry meal, these quesadillas are heavy on flavor. The refried beans are packed with spices and garlic; the onions are sticky and sweet, and the cashew cheese is smoky and so satisfying.

ad for meal plans program with picture of woman with button
refried beans and vegan cheese quesadillas stacked on a plate

Quesadilla Components

Spreadable Cashew Cheese

I consulted some of my past cheese sauce recipes, and merged them into one pantry-only recipe, and then decided to make the cheese spreadable. Because spreading cheese on a tortilla for a quesadilla is very satisfying.

The base of the cashew cheese is cashews (obviously) and plant-based milk, and it gets flavored with nutritional yeast for cheesiness and spices for flavor (garlic or garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika for a little smokiness). The thickener in this recipe that converts this from cheese sauce recipe to spreadable cheese is the tapioca flour.

Once you blend everything in a high-powered blender or food processor, you’ll have a pourable consistency. Pour the sauce into a saucepan and heat on the stove for a few minutes, whisking constantly. Thanks to the tapioca flour, you’ll notice that it quickly thickens and eventually firms up and turns almost stringy. Once you have a thick spreadable consistency, take it off the heat immediately (otherwise, it can turn somewhat gummy).

If you don’t have tapioca flour, you can use arrowroot powder or cornstarch. Since I’m trying to conserve ingredients, I haven’t tested out those substitutes myself, but based on similar recipes, I’m pretty sure they will work.

If you don’t have tapioca/arrowroot/cornstarch, and/or if you prefer a cheese sauce consistency, here’s what you need to do:

  1. Omit the tapioca/arrowroot/cornstarch. If you leave this ingredient in the sauce and don’t cook the sauce on the stove, it will just taste chalky and not good at all.

  2. Reduce the amount of plant-based milk. When I blended the sauce, it was a bit too thin for my liking as a cheese sauce, but it thickens up a lot when cooked. If using just as a sauce, however, I’d start with half the amount of plant-milk called for in the recipe, adding more as needed along the way.

Easy Refried Beans

One of the great things about stocking up on canned beans is that it’s so easy (and tasty) to make homemade refried beans. All you need is a can of pinto beans or black beans, a few aromatics, and a mashing instrument.

Tip: You’ll need some liquid to mash the beans, and the recipe calls for vegetable broth or water. You can also use some or all of the liquid that the canned beans come in. Contrary to popular belief, this goopy liquid is safe to consume – it’s just water, salt, and the starch released from the beans.

That said, some varieties of canned beans taste better than others, so some bean liquid will taste better than others. If you use the canned bean liquid, you might need to supplement with a bit of broth or water, as there might not be quite enough liquid as the recipe calls for.

PS: If you want something meatier to add to your quesadillas, my Chipotle copycat Sofritas are a fantastic alternative.

Sautéed Onions

These onions aren’t quite caramelized, but they do get nicely browned, slightly sticky, soft, and sweet. To get there, cook them in shimmering oil over medium-high heat and generously season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until a fond appears on the surface of the pan, then start deglazing the pan with a bit of water to prevent burning.

How to assemble quesadillas

The recipe calls for 4 -8 flour tortillas. There’s a range because (1) flour tortilla sizes vary in size, from 6 inches (15 cm) on the small end to 12 inches (30 cm) on the larger end, and (2) there are two different ways to make a quesadilla.

One method, the stacked method, involves using 2 tortillas. Spread the cheese and dollop the beans/onions onto the whole surface of one tortilla (leaving a small empty border along the edges), then top this with a second tortilla. Add to a large skillet and cook until crispy and browned on one side; flip and cook until golden-brown on the other side. I like to press the quesadilla down with a smaller skillet to ensure the tortilla gets crispy, not soggy.

The second method, the folded method, involves using just 1 tortilla. Spread the cheese sauce, beans and onions on only half of the tortilla, careful to not overfill it. Fold the side without the toppings over into a half-moon shape. Add to a skillet and cook until crispy and browned on one side; flip and cook until golden-brown on the other side.

If you’re using the folded method, you can also bake these quesadillas instead of pan-frying them. The directions below include both methods. Whichever method you choose, I guarantee these quesadillas will be delicious!

Other tips for making this recipe

1. Remember to soak your cashews! If you don’t have a high-powered blender, I recommend soaking them in cool water overnight, or the next best option is in boiling water for one hour. If you do have a powerful blender like a Vitamix, you can soak them in boiling water for as little as 15 minutes, but I like to give them a full one-hour soak.

2. For cheese sauce tips, see the previous section on “Spreadable Cashew Cheese.”

3. To make things efficient, cook the onions and refried beans in separate pans at the same time. Set them aside, and then cook your cheese sauce on the stove for a few minutes.

That’s all you need to know about these Vegan Quesadillas with Smoky Cheese and Refried Beans. If you give this recipe a try, be sure to tag me on Instagram with your recreations and please comment with your feedback below!

Vegan Quesadillas with Smoky Cheese and Refried Beans

5 from 34 votes
These vegan quesadillas are made with a spreadable smoky cashew cheese, easy spiced refried beans, and sticky sweet onions, making them the ultimate comfort food! Plus, they’re made with exclusively pantry ingredients!
Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Diet Vegan
Serving size: 4

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 4 to 8 flour tortillas or tortillas of choice*
  • Oil of choice for frying/baking the quesadillas
  • Smoky Cashew Cheese (recipe below)
  • Refried Beans (recipe below)
  • Sautéed Onions (recipe below)

Smoky Cashew Cheese**

  • 1 cup (140g) raw cashews, soaked in water overnight, or in boiling water for 1 hour
  • 1/3 cup (~25g) nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder (optional but adds a nice sharp tangy flavor)
  • 4 garlic cloves (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons tapioca flour (see notes above on “spreadable cashew cheese” for substitutes and tips)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup (240 mL) creamy, unsweetened plant-based milk, such as oat milk, “lite” coconut milk, or soy milk
  • 2-4 tablespoons pickled jalapeños with brine (optional)

Refried Beans***

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or a neutral cooking oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 (15-ounce / 440g) can pinto beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2/3 - 1 cup (160-240 mL) water, vegetable broth, or canned bean liquid
  • Kosher salt or sea salt to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (if you don’t have lime, sub lemon juice or half the amount of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 small handful of cilantro (optional), chopped

Sautéed Onions

  • 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons oil of choice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Water, as needed

Instructions

  • Make the Smoky Cashew Cheese, Refried Beans, and Sautéed Onions.
  • Assemble the quesadillas using the Folded Method. Spread a bit of the cheese onto only one half of a tortilla. Top with a bit of the beans and onions on the same side (don’t overfill). Fold the side without the toppings over into a half-moon shape.
  • If using this method, you can either pan-fry the quesadillas or bake them.
  • Or, assemble the quesadillas using the Stacked Method. Spread a generous layer of the cheese onto one tortilla. Arrange some of the refried beans and the sautéed onions on top. Place another tortilla on top to cover.
  • To pan-fry the quesadillas (either stacked or folded), lightly grease a large skillet with a bit of oil (not too much) and place over medium heat. Once hot, add the prepared quesadilla to the skillet. Place a smaller skillet on top of the quesadilla so that it presses down on the quesadilla, resulting in a nice crispy exterior.
  • Cook the quesadillas for 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes, or until both sides are crispy and nicely browned. Repeat with the remaining cheese, beans, onions, and tortillas.
  • To bake folded quesadillas, preheat the oven to 425°F/218°C. Brush a baking sheet with a bit of oil. Add the folded quesadilla and brush a tiny bit of oil on the top side. Bake for 8 minutes, then carefully flip and bake for 6-8 minutes more.

Smoky Cashew Cheese Directions

  • Drain the soaked cashews.
  • Add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender or food processor. Blend until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes for a high-powered blender, or 4-5 minutes in a food processor, scraping down the sides with a silicone spatula as needed. Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly, adding more salt as needed or more lemon juice for more acidity.
    1. NOTE: the tapioca flour will make it taste chalky, but that will go away once it’s cooked on the stove.
  • Transfer the cheese sauce to a medium saucepan and heat over medium-high. Whisk almost constantly, until the sauce is very thick and almost stringy and you have a spreadable consistency, about 3-4 minutes. Take off the heat immediately.

Refried Beans Directions

  • Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown
  • Add the oregano, chili powder, and cumin and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add in the drained beans, bay leaves, and broth or water. Cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the beans are warmed through. Remove the bay leaves.
  • Using an immersion blender or a potato masher, mash most of the beans, but leave some beans whole for texture. If the beans appear dry, add more broth or water as needed to moisten. Continue to cook the beans, stirring often, for 2-4 more minutes.
  • Season the beans with salt and pepper to taste. Turn off the heat, and stir in the lime juice and cilantro, if using.

Sautéed Onions Directions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with the oil. Once shimmering, add the onions and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a light brown fond starts form on the surface of the pan, about 4-5 minutes. Add a few spoons of water to deglaze the pan, and continue cooking until the onions are softened and browned, about 9-10 minutes total.

Notes

* There is a range in the number of tortillas because (1) flour tortilla sizes vary in size, from 6 inches on the small end to 12 inches on the larger end, and (2) there are two different ways to make a quesadilla. For more, read the section in the blog post called “how to assemble quesadillas.”
** If you want to keep this is as a cheese sauce and not a thicker, spreadable cheese, be sure to read the notes on “spreadable cashew cheese.”)
*** If you use the canned bean liquid for the liquid, you might need to supplement with a bit of water, as there might not be quite enough liquid as the recipe calls for. If you are very sensitive to digesting beans, use water or broth instead.  

Calories: 584kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1220mg | Potassium: 875mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 604IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 254mg | Iron: 7mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @rainbowplantlife and hashtag it #rainbowplantlife

Leave a Comment & Rating

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating along with your comment! It helps others discover my blog and recipes, and your comments always make my day :) Thank you for your support!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe




45 comments on Vegan Quesadillas with Smoky Cheese and Refried Beans

  1. Kathleen

    5 stars
    Wow. This was so delicious! I really enjoyed it. The queso is the best!!!

  2. Tracy

    5 stars
    These were so tasty! Restaurant quality 🤌! And really easy to make too! Thank you so much!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Tracy, it’s great to hear you had success with the recipe. Thanks for the review!

  3. Wren

    5 stars
    I really loved this! I have never had black beans before (only kidney and butter beans) and I really liked them. The flavour from the stock and bay leave is incredible! I prefer these to the chickpea quesadillas as I like the beans. I think next time I will use two cans of black beans to make more filling. The sautéed onions were beautiful! The cheese sauce was good but I prefer the sauce from the chickpea ques recipe so I think next time I will mix and match :)

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Your positive feedback is the best reward for our hard work. Thank you, Wren!

  4. Renee

    I have looked everywhere, even used the website search function, and cannot (find the notes on “spreadable cashew cheese.”) Can you please help? I would love to make the Smoky Cashew Cheese as a saucer dip. Thank you!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Renee, the spreadable cheese we are referencing is the Smoky Cashew Cheese in the recipe card. The tapioca starch makes it spreadable. Hope that clarified things for you!

  5. Jen

    5 stars
    I tried this recipe and the quesadillas were a bit messy but delicious. The cheese is AMAZING. I ended up with a lot leftover and I have been adding it to everything. I’ll definitely be making that to have around.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We appreciate your feedback and support, Jen. Thank you for leaving a review!

  6. Abhaya

    5 stars
    Just made this for lunch today. Super delicious and easy!

  7. Swetha Kalluri

    This was delicious! We loved the cheese sauce! We added bell peppers to the recipe and it was so tasty!

    1. Hannah @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Swetha, we’re so glad you enjoyed this recipe so much! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.

  8. Natalie

    5 stars
    Super delicious! Made everything as written and will definitely make again. I am saving the refried bean recipe to use alongside other meals too!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for the lovely feedback, Natalie!

  9. Enia

    4 stars
    Hi! I tried this recipe, but used half of the amount of chilli powder. Unfortunately it was still too spicy. I bought the mildest chilli powder in the store (Kashmiri). Do you think I could just ommit it and still be just as flavorful?
    Thank you.

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Enia, I think you used the wrong chili powder! In this recipe, you want to use a regular (not Indian) chili powder – which isn’t very spicy at all. We hope you can try the recipe with regular chili powder next time and you enjoy it!

  10. Delnora

    5 stars
    These were fantastic! Will definitely make again. Kids and husband loved them.

    I plated them with a scoop each of Pico de Gallo, vegan sour cream, and guac which gave them a restaurant quality wow factor.

    (Tonight I just used canned refried beans, but have previously made Nisha’s refried beans for the nachos and can attest they are delicious. I also added in instant-pot-cooked carrot and potato to the cheese sauce – which had the nice effect of being hot and kind of cooking the tapioca starch right in my blender. Didn’t have to dirty my sauce pot. Bonus!)

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Awesome, Delnora. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!

  11. Lisa

    5 stars
    I loved this recipe – and I only made the chickpeas…..
    I just used what I had on hand which was vegan Mayo, avocado, kale and red cabbage and it turned out delicious!
    Thanks you !

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Lisa, So glad to hear you loved this recipe!

Development Alchemy + Aim