Pastelón with Ground Beef and Plantains
A layered casserole featuring spiced beef, creamy plantains, and melted cheese, baked to golden perfection. This puerto rican-inspired quick meals ready in about 50 minutes pairs ground beef, plantains, tomato sauce 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 medium, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick plantains
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add 1/2 cup chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it into small pieces, and cook for 6 minutes until browned. Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce and 1 tsp cumin, then simmer for 5 minutes until flavors meld.
- Step 3: Spread half the cooked beef mixture evenly in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer 4 sliced plantain pieces over the beef, then top with the remaining beef mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella over the top. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pastelón with Ground Beef and Plantains take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 with Ground Beef and Plantains?
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 beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pastelón with Ground Beef and Plantains?
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 with Ground Beef and Plantains 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 with Ground Beef and Plantains?
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
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
