Puerto Rican Pastelón: Sweet Plantain and Beef Casserole
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.
Please Rate this Recipe
Equipment
- Baking Dish (9x13 inch)
- large skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 5 Large Sweet Plantains peeled and sliced lengthwise
- 1 Large Onion finely chopped
- 1 Green Bell Pepper finely chopped
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 cup Tomato Sauce
- 4 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 2 Large Eggs beaten
- Fresh Cilantro chopped, 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.
Nutrition
Calories: 430kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 23gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 19g
Did You Like This Recipe?Take a picture and mention us on Pintrest @HispanicFoodNetwork or tag it with #hispanic_food_network! Don't forget to subscribe to our email list for more recipes!