Mexican Ground Beef & Zucchini in a Flavorful Green Chile Sauce
Calabacitas Con Carne Molida en Salsa Verde is a comforting Mexican home-style dish made with tender zucchini, seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a bright homemade salsa verde. It’s a simple, budget-friendly recipe full of authentic flavors that brings the taste of a family kitchen straight to your table.
🌮 Full Recipe
Ingredients
For the Salsa Verde:
- 1½ lbs tomatillos, husked and washed
- 2–3 jalapeños or serrano peppers
- ½ white onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Juice of 1 lime (optional)
For the Calabacitas Con Carne:
- 1½ lbs ground beef
- 3 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1½ cups corn kernels (optional)
- 1 cup roasted green chile (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth or chicken broth
Optional Toppings:
- Queso fresco
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced avocado
- Mexican crema
- Lime wedges
- Diced onion
Instructions
1. Prepare the Salsa Verde
- Roast tomatillos, peppers, onion, and garlic in a skillet or under the broiler until lightly charred.
- Blend roasted vegetables with:
- Cilantro
- Salt
- Cumin
- Lime juice
- Blend until smooth.
- Set aside.
2. Cook the Ground Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Add diced onion and cook until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add Vegetables & Seasonings
- Add:
- Zucchini
- Tomatoes
- Corn
- Green chile
- Season with:
- Cumin
- Mexican oregano
- Smoked paprika
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cook for 5–7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
4. Add Salsa Verde
- Pour homemade salsa verde into the skillet.
- Add broth.
- Stir everything together.
- Cover and simmer for:
15–20 minutes
until:
- Zucchini is tender
- Beef is flavorful
- Sauce has thickened
Finish with fresh cilantro and lime juice.
Serve hot!
✅ Extra Recipe Tips & Variations
🌶️ Spicy Calabacitas
Add:
- Serrano peppers
- Extra jalapeños
- Chile de árbol
🧀 Cheesy Calabacitas
Add at the end:
- Oaxaca cheese
- Monterey Jack
- Queso fresco
🍗 Chicken Version
Replace ground beef with:
- Shredded chicken
- Ground turkey
🫘 More Traditional Mexican Style
Add:
- Pinto beans
- Potatoes
- Roasted poblano peppers
🌽 Southwest Version
Add:
- Corn
- Black beans
- Hatch green chile
🔥 Flavor Upgrades / Secret Tips
⭐ Roast the tomatillos
Charred tomatillos create a deeper, smoky salsa verde flavor.
⭐ Do not overcook zucchini
Cook until tender but still slightly firm so it doesn’t become mushy.
⭐ Brown the beef well
A good sear adds a richer flavor to the entire dish.
⭐ Use homemade salsa verde
Fresh roasted salsa makes this recipe taste restaurant-quality.
⭐ Add roasted green chile
It gives the dish a beautiful New Mexican twist.
⭐ Let it rest
The flavors become even better after sitting for a few minutes before serving.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
Serve with:
🌮 Warm corn tortillas
🍚 Mexican rice
🫘 Refried beans
🥑 Guacamole
🌶️ Salsa verde
🥗 Fresh salad
🧀 Queso fresco
Perfect for:
- Family dinners
- Weeknight meals
- Meal prep
- Taco nights
- Comfort food cravings
🥡 Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer:
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating:
Warm gently on the stove or microwave until heated through.
Meal Prep:
Make a large batch and use leftovers for:
- Tacos
- Burritos
- Rice bowls
- Nachos
📱 Social Media Captions
Version 1:
🌶️🥒 Tonight’s dinner was a Mexican classic — Calabacitas Con Carne Molida en Salsa Verde!
Tender zucchini, seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and homemade salsa verde come together in one comforting dish full of flavor.
A simple recipe that tastes like home ❤️
👇 Full recipe in the comments!
Version 2:
Some recipes don’t need to be complicated to be amazing. ❤️🌶️
This Calabacitas Con Carne Molida is packed with fresh flavors, homemade salsa verde, and the perfect balance of hearty beef and tender vegetables.
A true Mexican comfort food favorite!
👇 Recipe below!
Version 3:
🔥 Easy, delicious, and full of Mexican flavor!
Ground beef ✅
Fresh zucchini ✅
Roasted salsa verde ✅
Amazing homemade taste ✅
This is the kind of meal everyone asks for seconds!
Save this recipe 🌶️❤️
🥗 Nutrition Facts (Approximate Per Serving)
Recipe makes 6 servings
- Calories: ~390
- Protein: ~30g
- Carbohydrates: ~18g
- Fat: ~24g
- Fiber: ~5g
- Sugar: ~7g
Nutrition varies depending on beef fat percentage and toppings.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
What does Calabacitas mean?
Calabacitas means “little squash” in Spanish and refers to Mexican squash or zucchini dishes.
Can I make this without meat?
Yes! Replace the beef with:
- Mushrooms
- Beans
- Extra vegetables
Can I use store-bought salsa verde?
Absolutely, but homemade roasted salsa gives the best flavor.
What kind of squash is traditional?
Mexican squash (calabacita) is traditional, but zucchini works perfectly.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! The flavors get even better the next day.
What is the best way to serve it?
With warm tortillas, rice, beans, and fresh toppings.
🥒🌶️ Final Food Description for Posting
Calabacitas Con Carne Molida en Salsa Verde is a comforting Mexican dish filled with tender zucchini, seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a vibrant homemade green sauce. Every bite combines hearty flavors with the freshness of roasted tomatillos, peppers, and herbs. It’s a simple, traditional recipe that brings family, flavor, and homemade comfort together at the dinner table. ❤️🌶️