Beef and Plantain Pastelón
A layered Puerto Rican comfort food featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy plantains, and melted cheese, baked to golden perfection. This puerto rican-inspired beef ready in about 75 minutes pairs ground beef, plantains, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
- 12 ounces ground beef
- 2 large plantains
- 1/2 cup onion
- 1/2 cup tomato
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 ounces ground beef, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped tomato, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 8 minutes until beef is browned and vegetables are softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, then remove bay leaf.
- Step 3: Peel and slice 2 large plantains into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a separate pan and fry plantains until golden, about 3 minutes per side.
- Step 4: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer half the fried plantains, then half the beef mixture, then the remaining plantains and beef mixture.
- Step 5: Top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Beef and Plantain Pastelón 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 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 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 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 Beef and Plantain Pastelón?
Puerto Rican beef 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
- ★★★★★
I've tried many beef recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
