Puerto Rican Pastelón: Sweet Plantain and Beef Casserole
Recipe Author : Mike Gonzalez
Pastelón is a flavorful and comforting Puerto Rican dish, often referred to as Puerto Rican lasagna. This dish layers sweet, ripe plantains with a savory, spiced ground beef mixture, culminating in a deliciously sweet and salty culinary experience. Served with a side of rice or a fresh salad, Pastelón is a satisfying dish that represents the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine.
5Large Sweet Plantainspeeled and sliced lengthwise
1Large Onionfinely chopped
1Green Bell Pepperfinely chopped
1lbGround Beef
1tspGround Cumin
1tspDried Oregano
Salt and Pepperto taste
1cupTomato Sauce
4Garlic Clovesminced
1cupShredded Cheddar Cheese
1cupShredded Mozzarella Cheese
2Large Eggsbeaten
Fresh Cilantrochopped, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Prepare Plantains: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the plantain slices and cook until golden brown and tender on each side. Remove and set aside.
5 Large Sweet Plantains, 2 tbsp Olive Oil
Prepare Beef Mixture: In the same skillet, add more oil if needed. Sauté the onions, bell peppers, and garlic until softened. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess fat.
1 Large Onion, 1 Green Bell Pepper, 1 lb Ground Beef, 4 Garlic Cloves
Seasoning: Add cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
1 tsp Ground Cumin, 1 tsp Dried Oregano, Salt and Pepper, 1 cup Tomato Sauce
Assemble the Pastelón: In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, arrange a layer of the cooked plantains. Spread half of the beef mixture over the plantains and sprinkle with half of the cheeses. Repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese, 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Egg Mixture: Whisk the eggs and pour them evenly over the casserole, allowing them to seep through the layers.
2 Large Eggs
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm.
Fresh Cilantro
Notes
Serve Pastelón with a side of rice, beans, or a fresh green salad.
Adjust the sweetness by choosing plantains at your preferred level of ripeness; the riper they are, the sweeter they will be.
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