Mexican Zucchini with Beer-Infused Ground Beef and Melted Cheese Recipe
This Mexican Zucchini recipe is a flavorful, low-carb dish featuring spiralized zucchini noodles topped with seasoned ground beef, salsa, and melted cheese, garnished with fresh tomatoes, cilantro, and green onions. It’s a quick and healthy alternative to traditional pasta dishes, perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meat Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 sweet onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup salsa (of your choice)
For the Zucchini Noodles and Toppings
- 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized
- 1 medium tomato, diced (or canned diced tomatoes)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (sharp cheddar or pepper jack recommended)
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 4 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, and sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Cook Ground Meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess fat from the beef, then return the meat to the pan.
- Season the Meat: Stir in 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Simmer the mixture until most of the water has evaporated. Then add 1/2 cup of salsa and mix thoroughly.
- Cook Zucchini Noodles: Add the spiralized zucchini noodles to the skillet. Reduce heat to low and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the noodles soften slightly, being careful not to overcook to avoid sogginess.
- Melt Cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top of the noodles and meat mixture. Let it sit on low heat until the cheese melts, or warm it briefly in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes to melt the cheese evenly.
- Add Fresh Toppings and Serve: Finish the dish by sprinkling diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and green onions over the melted cheese. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Choose your favorite salsa to adjust the spice level and flavor profile.
- Be careful not to overcook zucchini noodles to maintain their texture.
- Use sharp or pepper jack cheese for a more pronounced flavor.
- This dish can be made gluten-free by ensuring your taco seasoning and salsa are gluten-free.
Keywords: Mexican zucchini, zucchini noodles, low carb dinner, taco beef skillet, healthy Mexican recipe, low carb, keto friendly
