Main Course · Dinner · Latin American ·

Brazilian Escondidinho de Carne with Creamy Cassava Purée

Name: Brazilian Escondidinho de Carne with Creamy Cassava Purée
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 500g ground beef, (or substitute with chicken or pork); 1 large onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon paprika; Salt and pepper, to taste; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 kg cassava (yucca root), peeled and cut into chunks; 2 tablespoons butter; 200 ml heavy cream; Salt, to taste; 150g mozzarella cheese, grated; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

This traditional Brazilian dish combines a savory, spiced meat filling hidden under a creamy cassava purée.

4.8(829 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 12, 2025

Brazilian Escondidinho de Carne with Creamy Cassava Purée — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Meat Filling

For the Cassava Purée

For the Topping

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 938 kcal
Protein: 31.9 g
Carbs: 87.3 g
Fat: 55.9 g
Fiber: 4.3 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 5625 kcal
Protein: 191.5 g
Carbs: 524 g
Fat: 335.5 g
Fiber: 25.5 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
500g ground beef (or substitute with chicken or pork)	1330	100	0	100	0
1 large onion, finely chopped	44	1.2	10.3	0.2	1.9
2 cloves garlic, minced	9	0.4	2	0	0.1
1 red bell pepper, diced	31	1	7	0.4	2.5
1 teaspoon cumin	8	0.4	0.9	0.5	0.2
1 teaspoon paprika	6	0.3	1.2	0.3	0.7
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
3 tablespoons olive oil	360	0	0	40.5	0
1 kg cassava (yucca root) peeled and cut into chunks	1570	4	375	0	15
2 tablespoons butter	204	0.2	0	23	0
200 ml heavy cream	690	3.4	6.8	72	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
150g mozzarella cheese, grated	429	27.6	4.8	30.6	0
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped for garnish	8	0.7	1.5	0.1	0.1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Cassava Purée

1
Cut Cassava
Peel and cut the cassava into large chunks.
2
Boil Cassava
Boil in salted water until tender, about 20-25 minutes. Drain well.
Tip: Ensure the cassava is thoroughly cooked and not fibrous, which can affect the purée's texture.
3
Mash and Season
Mash the cassava with butter and cream until smooth; season with salt.
Tip: Use a hand blender for a super smooth cassava purée.

Preparing the Meat Filling

1
Heat Oil
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2
Sauté Vegetables
Add chopped onions, garlic, and bell pepper; sauté until softened.
3
Cook Beef
Add ground beef, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper; cook until the beef is browned and cooked through.
Tip: For a richer flavor, add a splash of white wine to the meat filling while cooking.

How to Make Brazilian Escondidinho de Carne with Creamy Cassava Purée

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Layer Meat Filling
Spread the meat filling in an even layer at the bottom of a baking dish.
2
Spread Cassava Purée
Layer the mashed cassava evenly over the meat filling, smoothing the top.
3
Add Cheese
Sprinkle grated mozzarella evenly over the cassava purée.