Welcome, food lovers! Tonight, we’re diving into a recipe that’s bound to become a staple in your family dinners: Spinach and Mushroom Quesadillas. This dish brings together the earthy flavors of mushrooms, the nutritional powerhouse of spinach, and the melty goodness of cheese, all wrapped up in a crispy, golden-brown tortilla. It’s a simple yet satisfying meal that’s perfect for a cozy family night in. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s get cooking!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 8 medium flour tortillas
- 2 cups of grated cheese (a mix of mozzarella and cheddar works great)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 300g (about 10 oz) of mushrooms, sliced
- 200g (about 7 oz) of fresh spinach leaves
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional for serving: sour cream, salsa, and guacamole
Preparation Steps:
- Prep Your Ingredients: Start by slicing your mushrooms and onion thinly, and mincing your garlic. This will ensure they cook evenly and infuse the quesadillas with flavor. Grate your cheese if you haven’t done so already – the combination of mozzarella and cheddar gives a wonderful melt and flavor, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
- Cook the Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add one tablespoon of olive oil. Add the onions first, sautéing until they start to become translucent. Then, add the garlic and mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms have released their moisture and started to brown. This could take around 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Spinach: Once your mushrooms are nicely browned, add the spinach to the skillet. You might find it overwhelming how much spinach there seems to be, but don’t worry – it wilts down to a fraction of its size. Cook until the spinach has just wilted, then transfer your filling to a bowl. Wipe out the skillet with a paper towel; we’ll use it again to cook the quesadillas.
Assembling and Cooking:
- Assemble the Quesadillas: Lay out half of your tortillas on a clean surface. Sprinkle a generous layer of cheese on each, followed by an even distribution of your mushroom and spinach filling. Add another layer of cheese on top of the filling before placing the remaining tortillas on top. The extra layer of cheese helps everything stick together.
- Cook: Heat your skillet again over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Place a quesadilla in the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is golden and crispy, and the cheese has melted. Repeat with the remaining quesadillas, adding more oil to the skillet as needed.
Serving:
Cut each quesadilla into quarters and serve hot with your choice of sour cream, salsa, and guacamole on the side. These quesadillas are a fantastic way to get your veggies in and are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Conclusion:
There you have it – a simple, nutritious, and utterly delicious meal that’s perfect for a family dinner. Spinach and Mushroom Quesadillas are not just easy to make but are also a great way to introduce more vegetables into your family’s diet in a fun and tasty way. They’re customizable, so feel free to add in any other veggies you have in the fridge. Cooking together can be a delightful family activity, and eating together is even better. Enjoy your meal, and here’s to many more happy family dinners!