Description
Easy Cheesy Calabacitas is a flavorful and quick Mexican-inspired side dish featuring sautéed zucchini, corn, bell peppers, and onions, all brought together with melted queso fresco for a delightful creamy texture. This versatile dish is perfect as a side for tacos, burritos, or enjoyed on its own.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups Zucchini
- 1 cup Yellow Squash
- 1 cup Corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 medium Onion
- 1 medium Green Bell Pepper
- 1 medium Red Bell Pepper
- 1 medium Fresh Tomato
- 1 medium Fresh Jalapeño
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dried Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 cup Queso Fresco
- Optional: Fresh cilantro or scallions for garnish, lime juice
Instructions
- Dice all vegetables uniformly. Keep onion, garlic, and jalapeños separate.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add bell peppers, zucchini, and yellow squash to the skillet. Stir and cook until slightly softened but still crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
- Toss in jalapeños and corn. Cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
- Add fresh tomatoes, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring to combine flavors.
- Crumble queso fresco over the vegetables. Gently stir until the cheese is melted and incorporated.
- Remove the skillet from heat and cover for a few moments to allow the cheese to soften completely.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or scallions if desired. Add a squeeze of lime juice before serving for extra flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, adjust the amount of jalapeño or use a hotter chili pepper.
- Frozen corn can be used; add it a bit earlier in the cooking process if using frozen.
- Yellow squash can be substituted for zucchini, or vice versa.
- Cotija cheese can be used as an alternative to queso fresco, or omit cheese for a vegan version.
- This Cheesy Calabacitas recipe is naturally gluten-free.
- For an extra flavor twist, add a squeeze of lime juice just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg