Open Arms of Minnesota

Weekly Recipe #229: Spinach Burritos

By Megan Cannon, Dietetic Intern [University of Minnesota Medical Center – Fairview]

Photo credit: Rachel A.K./Flickr
Photo credit: Rachel A.K./Flickr

I moved from a small town to the big city, and this was the first recipe I made with the first friend I made in Minnesota.

I love this recipe because it is SO easy and SO fast. It incorporates good protein, vegetables and grain all in one entrée, which makes it perfect for dinner or to pack for a lunch. It’s easy to eat and it’s quick to prepare and clean up (you only need one pan!).

I think spinach is the ideal leafy green because it’s not too expensive, it’s not too bitter, and it has good flavor with some crunch. It can be purchased fresh or frozen and provides many nutrition benefits.

Spinach is low in calories and is a good source of fiber, which provides bulk that can make you fuller faster. It’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, folate, vitamin A, iron, and vitamin K. Spinach, when consumed as part of a balanced diet, can help with reduction of heart disease risk and maintenance of a healthy weight.

Spinach Burritos

(Makes 6 servings)

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1½ tbsp. chili powder
  • ½ tsp. cumin
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. pepper
  • 10 oz. fresh spinach
  • 1/2 can black beans (7.5 oz.)
  • 1¼ cup chunky salsa
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 6 whole wheat tortillas

Instructions:

  1. Brown ground beef and drain off fat. Season beef with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
  2. Stir in spinach, black beans and salsa, and heat through.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in cheese.
  4. Scoop mixture into whole wheat tortillas and fold into burritos.

Optional: Serve with fresh fruit as a side.

Nutrition information:

Per serving: 396 calories, 16g total fat (8g saturated fat), 85 mg cholesterol, 34g protein, 31 g carbohydrate 3g sugar, 9g fiber, and 1050 mg sodium

More from Open Arms

Cena entre Panas graphic

CENA ENTRE PANAS: MÉXICO

Crasqui and Open Arms Friend Chef Soleil Ramirez To Host Event Benefitting Open Arms On Sept. 23 Chefs Noé Paredes and José Alarcón will join Open Arms Cultural Meals Program Latin America Menu Consultant Chef Soleil Ramirez for a night of bold flavors, creativity,

Read More »
phyllis

Phyllis’ Story

This Is Why We’re Here, Phyllis’ Story Thanks to our dedicated donors, we’ve been able to provide medically tailored meals—meals designed by our registered dietitians and prepared with care to meet the specific nutritional needs of each client. These meals are more than just

Read More »

Minneapolis Kitchen & Campus Update Sept. l, 2025

Open Arms Minneapolis Kitchen to Reopen Following Vehicle Incident Minneapolis, MN — The Open Arms of Minnesota Minneapolis Kitchen and Campus will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 2, following the motor vehicle incident that occurred Friday morning. The safety of our community remains our highest priority.

Read More »

Moveable Feast 2025: The Show Goes On

No matter the challenges, Open Arms stands ready to face the future. Together, we will gather for a special production of Moveable Feast being held on Thursday, May 15 at the historic Hollywood Theater in Northeast Minneapolis. We hope you and your cast of characters will join us in support of our clients!

IN A CHAOTIC WORLD, WE CAN SHOW LOVE IN ACTION!

When life feels overwhelming, there’s one thing we can control: showing care, love, and compassion to one another. This February, Give from the Heart in honor or memory of someone special. Your gift will provide life-saving medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling to someone facing a critical illness. We’ll send a heartfelt card to your honoree or their family, sharing your loving tribute.

Open Arms of Minnesota Earns Accreditation from Food Is Medicine Coalition

Open Arms of Minnesota, the Twin Cities-based non-profit dedicated to providing nourishing, medically tailored meals to individuals with critical illnesses, has earned accreditation from the Food Is Medicine Coalition (FIMC). This recognition places Open Arms among an elite group of organizations nationwide that have demonstrated a high standard of care in delivering medically tailored meals (MTM).

End Of Year Giving Graphic

Your Gift Will Help Us Serve More Clients!

Together we can continue to meet the increased demand for medically tailored meals with your support! We hope you think of us as you consider your year-end giving. Your donation is a gift of care, compassion, and encouragement!