Spicy Puerto Rican Pastelón with Ripe Plantains

A Caribbean casserole delight

Experience the rich, spicy flavors of Puerto Rico with this comforting savory-sweet pastelón made with layers of seasoned beef, ripe plantains, and melted cheese.

1 h 30 min
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Plantains

4 ripe plantains

peeled and sliced lengthwise

1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Meat Filling

1 pound ground beef

1 small onion

finely chopped

2 cloves garlic

minced

1 green bell pepper

diced

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon oregano

1 tablespoon tomato paste

½ cup green olives

sliced

Salt and pepper

to taste

For the Cheese Layer

2 cups mozzarella cheese

shredded

1 cup cheddar cheese

shredded

For the Assembly

3 eggs

beaten

¼ cup milk

Preparation

Preparing the Plantains

Heat oil

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.

Fry plantains

Fry plantain slices until golden brown on both sides.

Avoid overbrowning the plantains to keep them tender. For a sweeter taste, drizzle a little honey over the plantains before frying.

Drain

Remove and drain on paper towels.

Preparing the Meat Filling

Sauté aromatics

In the same pan, cook onions, garlic, and bell pepper until softened.

Brown beef

Add ground beef and cook until browned; drain excess fat.

Season

Stir in cumin, paprika, oregano, tomato paste, and olives. Season with salt and pepper.

Cooking Process

Layering

Arrange a layer of plantains on a greased baking dish, followed by a layer of meat filling and a layer of cheese. Repeat the layers, finishing with plantains on top.

Egg Mixture

Pour a beaten egg and milk mixture over the layers evenly.

Baking

Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes until set and bubbly.

Plating & Serving

Spicy Puerto Rican Pastelón with Ripe Plantains

FaUtensils

Plating & Serving

Slice and serve warm, showcasing the beautiful layers of plantain, meat, and cheese.

Sauce Pairings

Hot Sauce

for a spicy kick

Avocado slices

for creaminess

Garnishes & Accompaniments

Chopped cilantroLime wedges

Perfect Sides

White rice

Black beans