Puerto Rican Pastelón de Plátano Maduro with Ground Beef

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

A layered Puerto Rican casserole featuring sweet fried plantains and savory spiced ground beef baked until golden and bubbly. This puerto rican-inspired pork ready in about 80 minutes pairs large, peeled ripe plantains, for frying vegetable oil, ground beef 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.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel 4 large ripe plantains and slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick strips. Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F and fry plantain slices in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden and soft. Drain on paper towels.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté 1 medium finely chopped onion, 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves in 1 tbsp oil for 4-5 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup chopped green olives, 2 tbsp raisins, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, layer fried plantain slices to cover the bottom. Spread half the ground beef mixture evenly over the plantains, then sprinkle 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
  6. Step 6: Repeat with another layer of plantains, the remaining beef mixture, and top with remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese.
  7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and golden. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Puerto Rican Pastelón de Plátano Maduro with Ground Beef take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (40 min prep + 40 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 Puerto Rican Pastelón de Plátano Maduro with Ground Beef?

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 large, peeled ripe plantains from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Puerto Rican Pastelón de Plátano Maduro with Ground Beef?

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 Puerto Rican Pastelón de Plátano Maduro with Ground Beef 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 Puerto Rican Pastelón de Plátano Maduro with Ground Beef?

Puerto Rican pork 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.

Related recipes