Zesty Salvadorean Pupusa Casserole with Cheese and Loroco

Name: Zesty Salvadorean Pupusa Casserole with Cheese and Loroco
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 3 cups masa harina; 2 ½ cups warm water; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup queso fresco; ½ cup chopped loroco; 4 tomatoes; 1 small onion; 2 cloves garlic; 1 jalapeño; Salt and pepper; 1 cup shredded lettuce; ½ cup sour cream; 1 avocado

A Flavorful Twist on the Classic Pupusa

This casserole simplifies the beloved Salvadorean dish by layering corn masa, cheese, and loroco blossoms, baking them to golden perfection.

1 h 30 min
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Masa Base

3 cups masa harina

2 ½ cups warm water

warm

For the Cheese Filling

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

shredded

1 cup queso fresco

crumbled

½ cup chopped loroco

chopped

For the Salsa

4 tomatoes

chopped

1 small onion

diced

2 cloves garlic

minced

1 jalapeño

deseeded and minced

Salt and pepper

to taste

For the Toppings

1 cup shredded lettuce

shredded

½ cup sour cream

1 avocado

sliced

Preparation

Preparing the Masa Base

Combine ingredients

In a large bowl, combine masa harina with warm water.

Do not over-moisten the masa dough, as it can affect texture.

Mix dough

Mix thoroughly until a soft dough forms; it should be pliable but not sticky.

Rest dough

Let the dough rest for 15 minutes, covered with a damp cloth.

Preparing the Cheese Filling

Combine cheeses and loroco

In a medium bowl, combine mozzarella, queso fresco, and loroco.

If using canned loroco, rinse it under cold water to remove any briny taste.

Mix filling

Mix well ensuring the loroco is evenly distributed.

Cooking Process

Building the Casserole

Spread half the masa on the bottom of a greased casserole dish. Add cheese filling, then top with remaining masa.

Creating the Salsa

In a saucepan, sauté onions and garlic until translucent. Add tomatoes and jalapeño, season, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Baking the Casserole

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until golden.

Plating & Serving