Baked Beef and Plantain Pastelón
A comforting Puerto Rican casserole with layers of tender plantain, seasoned ground beef, and savory tomato sauce, baked until golden. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 70 minutes pairs ground beef, medium ripe plantains, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 medium ripe plantains
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft, about 3 minutes. Add ground beef, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until browned, about 8 minutes.
- Step 2: Stir in 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors, then set aside.
- Step 3: Peel plantains and slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Spread a layer of plantain slices in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with half the beef mixture, then another layer of plantains, the remaining beef, and a final layer of plantains. Pour any excess sauce over the top.
- Step 4: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Beef and Plantain Pastelón take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (35 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Beef and Plantain Pastelón?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Beef and Plantain Pastelón?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Beef and Plantain Pastelón for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Beef and Plantain Pastelón?
Puerto Rican one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
