Plantain and Cheese Casserole
A sweet-savory casserole featuring caramelized plantains layered with melted cheese, baked until golden and bubbly. This puerto rican-inspired vegetarian ready in about 45 minutes pairs ripe plantains, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 3, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick ripe plantains
- 1 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup, shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add sliced plantains to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and brown slightly.
- Step 4: Stir in salt, black pepper, and paprika. Cook for 2 more minutes.
- Step 5: Transfer plantain mixture to the baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top.
- Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly, and plantains are tender. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Plantain and Cheese Casserole take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 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 Plantain and Cheese 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 ripe plantains from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Plantain and Cheese 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 Plantain and Cheese Casserole 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.
Is Plantain and Cheese Casserole vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Authentic flavors that transported me straight to San Juan. Served it with arroz con pollo for a perfect meal.
- ★★★★★
My abuela would have approved! The plantains were creamy and the cheese pulled perfectly.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the recipe but the plantains needed more seasoning—slightly bland for my taste.
