Spinach-Cheese Vegetarian Pastelón
A layered casserole with plantain, creamy spinach, and melted cheese, baked until golden and comforting. This puerto rican-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs tablespoon olive oil, large, finely chopped onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 plantains
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 cups, chopped fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add chopped spinach, cook until wilted (about 2 minutes), then remove from heat and cool slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 4: Arrange half of the plantain slices in the baking dish. Spread half of the spinach mixture over plantains, then top with half of the tomato sauce and half of the mozzarella. Repeat layers with remaining plantains, spinach mixture, tomato sauce, and mozzarella.
- Step 5: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes more until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spinach-Cheese Vegetarian Pastelón take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 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 Spinach-Cheese Vegetarian Pastelón?
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 tablespoon olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spinach-Cheese Vegetarian Pastelón?
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 Spinach-Cheese Vegetarian Pastelón 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 Spinach-Cheese Vegetarian Pastelón 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
- ★★★★★
The spinach and cheese combination was perfect. My kids ate it all!
- ★★★★★
Loved the authentic flavor! Made it for my Puerto Rican in-laws and they loved it.
- ★★★★☆
The recipe was great, but I found the sauce a bit bland. Next time I'll add more spices.
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