That moment when you need a cheeky lunch which will go down well with the kids. Have you tried cheesy veggie quesadillas? This is a no-fuss lunch recipe for busy parents and Mmm they are absolutely delicious even for you to have too! My toddler tends to avoid veggies, so I started to get creative and I made this…
I know sometimes its hard to find easy to do nutritious toddler meals and thats why I love this toddler friendly quesadilla so much!
This post is all about a Lunchbox Winner: Cheesy Veggie Quesadillas.
Easy Cheesy Veggie Quesadilla for Toddlers
How to Make a Toddler-Friendly Quesadilla
Now I know you are looking for Hidden Veggie Lunch Ideas Kids Will Love. The full cheesy vegetable quesadilla recipe is down below, but I wanted to talk about a few options first before you dive into making this quick toddler lunch recipe.
Ingredient swaps:
- Tortillas whole wheat or gluten free
- Don’t forget sneaky veggies like spinach, zucchini and even bell peppers.
- Cheese – Use different cheeses each time to keep it interesting.
Cutting Tips:
Try using shapes or even strips, other than a normal tortilla shape.
Dipping Sauces for Kids:
- Tzatiki
- Yogurt – try adding lemon or lime
- Mild salsa or chop tomatoes and add onions, chilli, or anything you feel!
- Avocado mash
- Soured cream
Cheesy Quesadilla Meal Prep for the Week
Make-Ahead Tips:
Make a batch of these veggie quesadilla for toddlers in one go and refrigerate what you are eating for lunch and freeze the rest individually in foil or zipper bags (or how many you will eat in one go).
Protein Ideas:
- Beans
- Shredded chicken, pork, beef
- Mince
- Lentils
This is why I love this lunchbox quesadilla recipe as you can add or change up any ingredient you like!
The Best Vegetables to Use in Kids’ Quesadillas
- Bell peppers (red, yellow, orange)
- Spinach
- Zucchini
- Corn
- Mushrooms
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Avocado – (not cooked) Use as a spread inside the quesadilla or serve on the side as a dip.
- Sweet potato
- Peas
- Cauliflower
- Tomatoes (seeded or diced)
- Onions (mild or sautéed)
- Green beans (chopped small)
How to Sneak in Veggies Without Complaints
The secret is in the sauce…cooking the veggies and then blending them down and adding to the sauce is the best way to sneak in the veggies your kids try to avoid.
Tips for Making Quesadillas Less Messy
The trick is here to let them cool first before packing them, reason being they can get quite soggy from trapped steam if you don’t let them cool. For packing use parchment paper or wax paper to wrap them, to absorb any moisture and keep them lovely and crispy.
For this meal its best to use a ventilated container for the quesadilla. Keep the salsa, guacamole and sour cream separate in small containers again to stop sogginess from happening – I learnt the hard way!
As well as packing your quesadilla correctly, you can wrap the tortilla in a way that encases all the contents and then put cheese ontop melted to keep it closed all on its own. Think about liquid too, the more runny your contents the messier eating will be!
Reheating Options
Its super simple, you can reheat in a toaster oven or a pan for crispiness. I have tried using a microwave, which was okay but I had better results with the other options. You can also eat at room temperature!
You can add a side snack too! Like veggie sticks, yogurt dip, tzatiki or even apple slices.
Cheesy Veggie Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 4 small flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix
- 1/2 cup bell peppers finely chopped (red, yellow, or green)
- 1/2 cup spinach chopped (or other leafy greens)
- 1/2 cup corn kernels fresh, canned, or frozen
- 1/2 cup mushrooms finely chopped (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon mild taco seasoning optional
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil (for cooking
Instructions
Prep the Veggies:
- Wash and chop the vegetables into small pieces. (Kids can help with safe, easy chopping using a plastic knife!)
Assemble the Quesadillas:
- Lay a tortilla flat.
- Sprinkle cheese over half of the tortilla.
- Add veggies on top. (Let the kids sprinkle their favorite ones!)
- Sprinkle a little more cheese to help it stick together.
- Fold the tortilla in half.
Cook the Quesadillas:
- Heat a pan or griddle over medium heat.
- Add a little butter or oil and place the folded quesadilla in the pan.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes, then flip carefully with a spatula.
- Cook for another 2 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
Slice & Serve:
- Remove from the pan and let cool for a minute.
- Cut into triangle slices and serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream!
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