Beef and Mashed Plantain Casserole with Tomato Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A layered casserole of ground beef, mashed plantains, and tomato sauce, baked until golden and bubbling. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 55 minutes pairs Ground beef, Yellow onion, Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 490 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.

★ 4.3 (10 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 490 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon. Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce, 1 can diced tomatoes (with juice), 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Boil sliced plantains in salted water for 15 minutes until tender. Drain and mash with a fork until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Spread half of the beef mixture in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with all mashed plantains, then spread the remaining beef mixture over the top.
  5. Step 5: Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped cilantro before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Beef and Mashed Plantain Casserole with Tomato Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 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 Beef and Mashed Plantain Casserole with Tomato Sauce?

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 Beef and Mashed Plantain Casserole with Tomato Sauce?

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 Beef and Mashed Plantain Casserole with Tomato Sauce 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 Beef and Mashed Plantain Casserole with Tomato Sauce?

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.

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