Baked Plantain Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheese
A hearty Puerto Rican-inspired casserole with layers of tender plantains, savory ground beef, and melted cheese, baked until golden and bubbly. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 75 minutes pairs medium ripe plantains, ground beef, small onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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
- 4 medium ripe plantains
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel 4 medium ripe plantains, slice into 1/2-inch rounds, and toss with 1 tbsp olive oil. Arrange in a single layer in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Cook for 8 minutes, breaking into small pieces, then stir in 1 cup tomato sauce.
- Step 4: Spread the beef mixture evenly over the plantain layer in the baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- Step 5: Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until cheese is 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 Plantain Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (25 min prep + 50 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 Plantain Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheese?
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 medium ripe plantains from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Plantain Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheese?
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 Plantain Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheese 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 Plantain Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheese?
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
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
