Layered Plantain and Spiced Beef Pastelón

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

A traditional Puerto Rican casserole with layers of plantain, savory beef filling, and melted cheese, baked to golden perfection. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 70 minutes pairs plantains, ground beef, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

★ 4.2 (15 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic, cooking until softened (5 minutes). Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned.
  2. Step 2: Stir in tomato sauce, 1/2 cup beef broth, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
  3. Step 3: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer half of the sliced plantains, then half of the beef mixture, then half of the cheese. Repeat layers, ending with cheese on top.
  4. Step 4: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly, and plantains are tender. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Layered Plantain and Spiced Beef Pastelón take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 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 Layered Plantain and Spiced Beef 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 plantains from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Layered Plantain and Spiced Beef 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 Layered Plantain and Spiced Beef 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 Layered Plantain and Spiced Beef Pastelón?

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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