Pastelón de Plátano con Carne

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

A layered casserole of baked plantain, seasoned ground beef, and creamy cheese sauce, perfect for sharing with family. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 70 minutes pairs green plantains, ground beef, tomato sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 45 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 510 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel plantains and slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Arrange in a single layer in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Brush with 1 tbsp olive oil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until golden.
  2. Step 2: Brown 1 lb ground beef in a skillet with 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1/2 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 5 minutes until onion is soft. Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Spread half the beef mixture over the baked plantains. Top with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup sour cream. Repeat layers, then cover with remaining cheese and sour cream. Bake uncovered at 375°F for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pastelón de Plátano con Carne take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (25 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 Pastelón de Plátano con 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 green plantains from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pastelón de Plátano con 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 Plátano con 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 Plátano con Carne?

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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