$7 meal! 🍅🌽🧅
Calabacitas is an easy dinner that will feed the whole fam!
$7 for all the veggies/corn and fed two adults with left overs. I grew up eating this meal at least once a week. So fast, so comforting and sooooo good.
Price does not include the seasonings or chicken broth, those are staples I always keep in the house.
Ingredients: I’m pretty bad at measuring and go with my gut. 🤪
- 4 Roma tomatoes
- 4 zucchini, you can also add squash to add more color
- 1/2 sweet onion
- 1 can of corn
- spoon of chicken bullion or tomato bullion
- salt, pepper, garlic, oregano
- splash of water or chicken broth
- Monterey Jack cheese
For spice, add in a jalapeño with the onions.
This can be a main dish or side dish. We served this with a tortilla, more cheese on top, sour cream and avocado. It was the perfect veggie dinner.
I’ve also had this with ground beef which makes it more hearty.
Let me know if you try it! 🫶🏻
Calabacitas is truly one of those simple, comforting dishes that never gets old. What I love most about it is its versatility—you can easily adjust the ingredients based on what you have in your fridge or pantry without losing any flavor. Adding a jalapeño or two can give it a nice kick if you enjoy a bit of spice, but it’s mild enough to please kids and adults alike. I often use chicken broth instead of water for that extra depth of flavor, especially since it’s a staple I keep on hand. Using fresh Monterey Jack cheese that melts beautifully makes the dish creamy and indulgent without being heavy. Serving it with warm tortillas, a dollop of sour cream, and sliced avocado on the side really rounds out the meal, turning it into a satisfying dinner that feels special despite being easy and affordable. Another tip is to bulk it up by mixing in cooked ground beef or shredded chicken if you want more protein or to stretch the dish to feed more people. The combination of sautéed onions, zucchini, tomatoes, corn, and savory seasonings like garlic and oregano creates a vibrant and nutritious meal that celebrates simple ingredients. Cooking calabacitas in a quality non-stick pan, such as a GREENPAN, helps keep the veggies tender and avoids sticking, making cleanup easier. Letting the dish sit for 15-20 minutes after cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully. If you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner that’s healthy, comforting, and budget-conscious, this calabacitas recipe is a winner. Give it a try and tweak it to your liking—just like I did growing up, this one will likely become a family favorite in your home too!
