Baked Caribbean-Style Plantain and Black Bean Casserole

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-02 · Updated 2026-06-02

A hearty casserole layering sweet ripe plantains, spiced black beans, and melted cheese, baked to golden perfection. This Caribbean-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs ripe plantains, black beans, cooked, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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

• 3 medium ripe plantains
• 1 1/2 cups black beans, cooked
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp lime juice

The 9x13 baking dish we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Peel 3 medium ripe plantains and slice into 1/4-inch thick diagonal pieces.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and 1 diced medium red bell pepper; sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook for 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
4. Step 4: In a greased 9x9-inch baking dish, layer half the sliced plantains evenly on the bottom. Spread the black bean mixture over the plantains, then layer the remaining plantain slices on top.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden, and the edges of plantains are crisp.
6. Step 6: Remove from oven, drizzle 1 tbsp lime juice over the casserole, and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.