Dominican-Style Mangu with Sauteed Red Onions and Queso Frito

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting Caribbean breakfast featuring mashed plantains topped with sweet sautéed red onions and fried cheese. This caribbean-inspired breakfast (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes combines medium 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel 4 medium green plantains and cut them into 2-inch pieces. Place in a large pot with 4 cups water and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 20-25 minutes until plantains are very tender when pierced with a fork.
  2. Step 2: While the plantains cook, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced red onion and sauté for 8-10 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Drain the cooked plantains and mash them immediately using a potato masher or fork until smooth and creamy. Stir in 2 tbsp butter and season with 1/4 tsp black pepper. Keep warm.
  4. Step 4: In another skillet over medium heat, fry 8 oz slices of queso frito or firm white cheese without oil, about 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy edges form.
  5. Step 5: Serve the mashed plantains (mangu) on plates topped with the sautéed red onions and the fried cheese on the side for a classic Dominican breakfast.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Dominican-Style Mangu with Sauteed Red Onions and Queso Frito take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.

How do I store leftover Dominican-Style Mangu with Sauteed Red Onions and Queso Frito?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.

Can I substitute ingredients in Dominican-Style Mangu with Sauteed Red Onions and Queso Frito?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Dominican-Style Mangu with Sauteed Red Onions and Queso Frito for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Dominican-Style Mangu with Sauteed Red Onions and Queso Frito vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes