Pastelón de Carne
A savory Puerto Rican flatbread stuffed with seasoned meat and cheese. This puerto rican-inspired mediterranean ready in about 75 minutes pairs medium, fried and mashed plantains, shredded cheese, ground beef for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 4 medium, fried and mashed plantains
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Stir in 1/4 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, mixing well.
- Step 3: In a bowl, combine 4 fried and mashed plantains with 1 cup shredded cheese. Press the mixture into a 9-inch round pan to form a base.
- Step 4: Spread the beef mixture over the plantain base, then top with additional cheese. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Step 5: Let cool slightly, then slice into wedges and serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pastelón de Carne take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (40 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 Pastelón de Carne?
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 shredded cheese from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pastelón de Carne?
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 Pastelón de Carne 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 Pastelón de Carne?
Puerto Rican mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
