One-Pot Pork and Vegetable Pasteles Filling
A simplified Puerto Rican staple featuring a flavorful meat and vegetable filling cooked in one pot, wrapped in plantain dough. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 75 minutes pairs ground pork, olive oil, large, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 8, 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 pork
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 green, finely chopped bell pepper
- 1 cup (carrots, peas, corn), thawed if frozen mixed vegetables
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 large (about 2 lbs), peeled and sliced plantains
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 chopped green bell pepper, and 1 cup mixed vegetables. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground pork to the pot and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, for 5 minutes until browned. Stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until flavors meld.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil and add 4 large peeled and sliced plantains (about 2 lbs). Cook for 15 minutes until tender. Drain and mash until smooth.
- Step 4: Use the mashed plantain to wrap the filling: spread a small amount on a banana leaf, place a spoonful of filling in the center, fold, and secure with toothpicks.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Pork and Vegetable Pasteles Filling take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (30 min prep + 45 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 One-Pot Pork and Vegetable Pasteles Filling?
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 pork from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Pork and Vegetable Pasteles Filling?
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 One-Pot Pork and Vegetable Pasteles Filling for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 One-Pot Pork and Vegetable Pasteles Filling?
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
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 45-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
