Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas

With a spicy mix of cumin and cayenne pepper, bake these easy sheet pan sweet potato black bean quesadillas in the oven so they’re all ready at the same time.

You won’t find me with a list of resolutions to kick off the new year.

I feel like I am in a constant state of trying to improve whether that’s work, family, food or fitness.

While I love a fresh start, I think there’s just too much pressure on January 1^st to flip a switch to right your wrongs.

Let’s just say I try to do better no matter the date on the calendar.

Something that is on my list is to celebrate, or at least acknowledge, the small wins. Those little moments of success can take you on a path that adds up to something bigger.

I know lots of people have diet goals come January especially after all the holiday eating from Thanksgiving on.

At the very least, I am trying to control my unnecessary snacking.

And as always, I am trying to consume lots of veggies.

Eat more vegetables seems like an achievable aspiration, right?

Just because we are trying to eat better, doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy some of the foods we did before.

But try to approach them with vegetables in mind first. Then think about the other ingredients.

That’s what I like to do with quesadillas.  

The cheese is almost an afterthought especially with these sheet pan sweet potato black bean quesadillas. Plus they have just the right amount of heat.

How To Make Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas

First, I preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Then I stir together the dried spice mix in a small bowl. I use a combination of cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

I toss diced sweet potatoes with olive oil and the spices on a sheet pan and roast them in the oven.

In the last 5 minutes of cooking, I scatter chopped kale on top because I never can resist adding greens whenever there is the opportunity.

When the sweet potatoes are out of the oven, I stir in the black beans.

With the filling ready, I start assembling the quesadillas on a fresh sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

Next, I spoon the filling with shredded cheese on half of each tortilla and fold them making a half round shape.

I like to use a Mexican cheese blend.

Finally, I bake them for 10-12 minutes letting the cheese melt.

Before I serve the sheet pan sweet potato black bean quesadillas, I top them with more chopped cilantro.

I use store-bought salsa to keep it simple.

And lime wedges are also a must.

Roasted sweet potatoes make pretty good glue to hold the quesadillas together, so you can reduce the amount of cheese a bit depending on your preferences.

Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas

• Author: Paige Adams
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-42 minutes
• Total Time: 45-52 minutes
• Yield: Serves 6

With a spicy mix of cumin and cayenne pepper, bake these easy sheet pan sweet potato black bean quesadillas in the oven so they’re all ready at the same time.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1–1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped kale
• 1–15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 flour tortillas
• 1–1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro plus more for serving
• Salsa and lime wedges for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, combine the cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil and the spice mixture on a sheet pan spreading into a single layer. Roast the sweet potatoes for 25-30 minutes until they are just starting to brown at the edges, and they are tender in the middle. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, scatter the chopped kale on top.
3. Once the sweet potatoes and kale are out of the oven, mix in the black beans to finish the filling.
4. Line another sheet pan with parchment paper. Place each tortilla on the pan. Spoon the sweet potato filling and 1/4 cup shredded cheese on one half of each of the tortillas. Sprinkle with cilantro. Fold over the tortillas creating a half-round shape.
5. Bake the quesadillas for 10-12 minutes until they are lightly browned and the cheese has melted.
6. Cut the quesadillas into quarters and top with chopped cilantro. Serve with salsa and lime wedges.

• Author: Paige Adams
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-42 minutes
• Total Time: 45-52 minutes
• Yield: Serves 6