Vegetarian Pastelón with Plantains and Tomato Sauce
A hearty baked casserole featuring layers of plantains, tomato sauce, and cheese, perfect for a family meal. This puerto rican-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs Plantains, Tomato sauce, Onion 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 medium, sliced 1/2-inch thick Plantains
- 2 cups, homemade or store-bought Tomato sauce
- 1 medium, diced Onion
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 1 cup, shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 cups tomato sauce, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, then set aside.
- Step 3: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer half the plantain slices, then half the tomato sauce mixture, then half the ricotta cheese. Repeat layers with remaining plantains, tomato sauce, and ricotta. Top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Step 4: Bake uncovered for 35 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetarian Pastelón with Plantains and Tomato Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (30 min prep + 35 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 Vegetarian Pastelón with Plantains and Tomato Sauce?
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 plantains from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetarian Pastelón with Plantains and Tomato Sauce?
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 Vegetarian Pastelón with Plantains and Tomato Sauce 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 Vegetarian Pastelón with Plantains and Tomato Sauce 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
- ★★★★★
Loved how easy this one-pot recipe was. The vegetarian version is just as delicious as the meat version I've had before.
- ★★★★★
This pastelón was a hit at my family dinner! The plantains were perfectly cooked and the tomato sauce was so flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
The flavors were great, but the tomato sauce was a bit bland for my taste. I added extra spices to fix it.
