The 10-Minute Pizza Quesadilla Hack That Sneaks in Veggies (No Blender Needed!)
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Time to Read: 7 min
Welcome to The Pediatrician Kitchen at Ahimsa
I’m a pediatrician—and a mom of three. So when I tell you I’ve made this dinner dozens of times during the post-school chaos, I mean it. It’s fast. It’s budget-friendly. And yes, it gets spinach into my kids… without drama.
And when you serve it on the Ahimsa’s stainless steel dishware, dinner becomes more than just convenient. It becomes a chance to teach lifelong habits, one colorful section at a time.
This recipe is part of our culinary medicine series designed to help you get real food on the table even when you’re exhausted and time is tight. Because food is health. And pizza can be part of that story.
About Ahimsa
Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three
Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet
Want to know more? Check out our story and our products.
Why This Recipe Works
You’ve probably seen those viral pizza wrap videos floating around online. Easy, crispy, cheesy. But most skip the nutrition. This version?
- Kid-approved pizza flavor
- Whole grains for fiber
- Protein for growing bodies
- And cooked spinach right in the sauce.No blender, no stress
It’s the kind of dinner you can throw together in 10 minutes, using just 3 main ingredients (+ one easy veggie). And thanks to Ahimsa’s stainless steel kid plates and bowls , cleanup is minimal. Making this recipe even more parent-friendly.
Recipe: Quick Pizza Quesadilla with Cooked Spinach
2 minutes
7-8 Minutes
1-2 Kids
Dinner
Ingredients:
- 1 whole wheat tortilla
- 2 tbsp no-sugar-added marinara sauce
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup finely chopped spinach (fresh or frozen)
Optional Add-Ons:
- Italian seasoning or garlic powder
- Chopped mushrooms, peppers, or olives
- Leftover chicken or lentils for extra protein
Instructions:
- Warm a skillet over medium heat with a splash of olive oil or spray.
- Add chopped spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
- Stir in marinara and cook together for 1 more minute to meld flavors.
- Spread the spinach-marinara mixture on half of the tortilla.
- Sprinkle cheese on top and fold tortilla in half.
- Cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cheese is melted.
- Cool slightly, cut into wedges, and serve!
Serving tip: For a fun dinner setup, place each wedge in the grain section of the Ahimsa Balanced Bites Plate, and let your child fill the rest with their favorite colorful fruits and veggies.
Mealtime Essentials
The Science: Why These Ingredients Matter
Whole Wheat Tortilla
Each cookie is a little brain-fueling power bite, combining:
- Complex carbs from oats for sustained energy
- Natural sugars from banana to gently wake the brain
- Healthy fats + protein from nut/seed butter for mood stability
- Optional omega-3s from chia seeds for cognitive support
This is more than breakfast—it’s preventive care on a plate (or napkin). And Ahimsa’s reusable containers make it easy to bring that care to school, work, the car, or wherever your morning routine takes you.
Spinach + Tomato Sauce
- Spinach delivers iron, folate, and fiber—critical for oxygen transport and brain function
- Cooking spinach into sauce makes it more palatable for picky eaters
- Tomatoes offer lycopene, an antioxidant that supports immune health
Mozzarella Cheese
- A great source of calcium for growing bones
- Contains protein and fat to help with satiety and brain development
Together, this combo hits all three macronutrients + fiber + micronutrients in one easy wrap.
When served in a stainless steel Ahimsa bowl or plate , it stays warm, kid-friendly, and free of any chemicals often found in plastic dinnerware.
Tackling the Big Barriers: Time, Cost, Skill
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Barrier |
Solution |
| Time | Dinner in under 10 minutes. Yes. Really. This is “school night survival” worthy. |
| Cost |
All ingredients are low-cost staples you can buy in bulk: tortillas, marinara, frozen spinach, and cheese. |
| Skill level |
No blending. No baking. Just one pan and a spatula. Even older kids can make it themselves with a little supervision. |
How to Serve It: Build a Balanced Bite Plate
Pair this pizza quesadilla with other food groups using our Ahimsa Balanced Bite Plate—a visual tool to help kids learn how to build a healthy, complete meal. Ahimsa’s stainless steel plate takes the guesswork out of plating and lets kids explore food with their eyes first, building skills for a lifetime of healthy eating.
- Main section: Pizza quesadilla
- Veggie section: Cucumber rounds, cherry tomatoes, or bell pepper sticks
- Fruit section: Berries, sliced pears, or apples
- Drink: Water or milk
Balanced. Beautiful. And backed by science.
Final Thoughts from The Pediatrician Kitchen
This pizza quesadilla hack isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention.
It’s about finding tiny moments to pack in nutrition, model balanced meals, and raise kids who see food as fuel.
And here’s where your tools matter, too. When you serve meals on Ahimsa’s stainless steel plates , they become a visual way to teach kids how real food fits together. The stainless steel design keeps things clean, safe, and colorful, while reinforcing routines that turn healthy meals into everyday habits.
You’re doing great. Let this dinner help you breathe a little easier tonight.
If you try it, tag @ahimsahomeusa and show us your pizza night creations!
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
More Mealtime Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
Will Ahimsa products break or peel?
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.
