Beef Pastelón with Plantain Layers
A hearty layered casserole featuring tender ground beef, sweet plantain slices, and melted cheese, baked to golden perfection. This puerto rican-inspired beef ready in about 60 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, finely chopped yellow onion, minced garlic 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
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 medium, finely chopped green bell pepper
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 large (1.5 lbs), peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick green plantains
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add chopped onion and bell pepper, and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, and cook until browned (5-7 minutes). Stir in tomato sauce, chicken broth, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper, then simmer for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 3: Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of beef mixture on the bottom, arrange a single layer of plantain slices over it, then cover with another layer of beef mixture. Repeat until all plantains are used, ending with a layer of beef mixture on top.
- Step 4: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown, then let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Beef Pastelón with Plantain Layers take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 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 Pastelón with Plantain Layers?
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 Pastelón with Plantain Layers?
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 Pastelón with Plantain Layers 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 Pastelón with Plantain Layers?
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
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better beef dishes though.
