Pastelón de Puerco (Puerto Rican Pork Casserole)
A savory baked dish of plantain dough filled with seasoned pork, garlic, and peppers, topped with a creamy sauce. This puerto rican-inspired quick meals ready in about 65 minutes pairs cubed pork shoulder, medium, diced 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 4, 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, boiled and mashed green plantains
- 1 lb, cubed pork shoulder
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 green, diced bell pepper
- 1 medium, diced tomato
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup, grated cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 4 boiled and mashed green plantains with 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Shape into a 9-inch round base and press into a baking dish.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3 minutes. Stir in 1 diced green bell pepper and 1 diced tomato, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb cubed pork shoulder and 1 tsp salt, cooking for 8 minutes until browned. Pour into the plantain base and spread evenly. Top with 1/2 cup grated cheese and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pastelón de Puerco (Puerto Rican Pork Casserole) take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (30 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 Puerco (Puerto Rican Pork Casserole)?
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 cubed pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pastelón de Puerco (Puerto Rican Pork Casserole)?
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 Puerco (Puerto Rican Pork Casserole) for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Puerco (Puerto Rican Pork Casserole)?
Puerto Rican quick meals 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
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better quick meals dishes though.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better quick meals dishes though.
