Dominican-Inspired Mangu with Sautéed Red Onions and Queso Frito

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-10 · Updated 2026-06-10

A classic Dominican breakfast of creamy mashed plantains topped with sweet sautéed red onions and golden fried cheese, offering a comforting and flavorful start to the day. This Caribbean-inspired recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 40 minutes, combines green plantains, water, salt into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 large, peeled and sliced into 1-inch pieces green plantains
• 4 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 medium, thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 8 oz, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices queso frito or firm white cheese
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, bring 4 cups water with 1 tsp salt to a boil. Add 3 large peeled and sliced green plantains and cook for 20-25 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
2. Step 2: While plantains cook, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced red onion and 1 tbsp vinegar. Sauté for 8 minutes until the onions are soft and caramelized, seasoning with 1/4 tsp black pepper.
3. Step 3: Once plantains are tender, drain and mash them in the pot with 2 tbsp butter until smooth and creamy. Add a splash of the cooking water if needed to loosen.
4. Step 4: In a separate non-stick pan over medium heat, fry the 8 oz sliced queso frito or firm white cheese for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
5. Step 5: Serve the mashed plantains topped with sautéed onions and fried cheese slices for a balanced, savory breakfast.