Pastelón with Ground Beef and Plantain Layers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-15 · Updated 2026-04-15

A hearty layered casserole of fried plantains, seasoned beef sauce, and melted cheese, baked until bubbly and golden. This Mexican-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs green plantains, vegetable oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 large, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick (680g) green plantains
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup, chopped (75g) onion
• 1/2 cup, chopped (75g) green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup, chopped (75g) red bell pepper
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1/2 cup (120g) tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup, shredded cheddar cheese

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 680g sliced plantains and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown — remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the skillet, then add 75g chopped onion, 75g chopped green bell pepper, and 75g chopped red bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: Add 450g ground beef, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until browned. Stir in 120g tomato sauce, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp salt. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
4. Step 4: Spread a thin layer of beef sauce in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer half the fried plantains, then half the beef sauce, then half the remaining plantains. Repeat layers with the remaining plantains and beef sauce.
5. Step 5: Top with 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup shredded cheddar. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.