Go Back
–+ servings
Sliced squash cooked with chopped onion, green chilies and corn covered with melted cheese in a cast iron pan.

Easy Cheesy New Mexico Calabacitas Recipe

Grace Stewart
This Easy Cheesy New Mexico Calabacitas Recipe features squash cooked until tender with corn, green chiles, and onion. The finishing touch is melted cheese which makes for an amazing dish which your family will absolutely love!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, New Mexican
Servings 4 people
Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

  • cast iron skillet cast iron is preferred, but a large skillet can also be used

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lb squash this is around 3-4 squash; it's nice to use different varieties and colors if you can
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 4 oz green chiles I used a 4 oz can and did not drain them; New Mexico Hatch Green Chiles are perfect for this dish!
  • 1 cup corn I used canned corn
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ ts salt plus additional to taste
  • ¼ ts pepper plus additional to taste
  • ¼ ts oregano plus additional to taste (can sub Mexican oregano)
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded; I used sharp cheddar; feel free to sub Monterey Jack or another cheese that you enjoy

Instructions
 

  • Prepare your squash, onion, and garlic. Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the squash into discs. If one of your squashes is very large, you can cut the pieces in a way that they are similar in size to your smaller squash discs.
    Chopped onion and sliced zucchini both green and yellow on a white plate.
  • Add the butter and olive oil to your skillet and heat on medium. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for around 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
    Chopped onion and minced garlic being cooked in butter and oil in a cast iron pan.
  • Keep your skillet on a medium heat. Add the squash, and cook for around 10 minutes until the squash is tender. Stir every once in awhile, but it's nice to let the squash sit for a bit without turning so that you get some browning on the squash.
    Sliced cooked squash and chopped onion being cooked in a cast iron pan.
  • Now add the green chiles, corn, and seasonings (salt, pepper, and oregano). Stir to combine, and let this cook for around 2 minutes. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if you like.
    Sliced squash and chopped onion in a cast iron pan topped with green chilies, seasonings, and corn.
  • Turn the heat to low. Now add the shredded cheese and let this melt. Cover the skillet if you can to help the cheese melt quickly.
    Sliced squash cooked with chopped onion, green chilies and corn covered with shredded cheese in a cast iron pan.
  • Behold your beautiful creation, and enjoy right away!
    Sliced squash cooked with chopped onion, green chilies and corn covered with melted cheese in a cast iron pan.

Notes

It's so much fun to use different varieties and colors of squash when making calabacitas!  
Sharp cheddar is wonderful with the calabacitas, however feel free to sub another cheese if you wish. 
This is a perfect side dish to accompany all your favorite main dishes!
 

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 10gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 437mgPotassium: 743mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 18474IUVitamin C: 43mgCalcium: 297mgIron: 2mg
Keyword squash, vegetable side dish
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!