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Puerto Rican Pastelon Recipe

This Puerto Rican "lasagna" is the perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors. Made with layers of sweet plantain, beef picadillo, and topped with cheese.
Print Recipe
Plate of yellow rice and beans with pastelon and a side of cucumber
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:40 minutes
Total Time:1 hour

Equipment

  • 1 bread loaf pan
  • Aluminum foil

Ingredients

  • 11 oz frozen fried sweet plantains maduros
  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 egg beaten
  • ½ can tomato sauce
  • 1 –2 tbsp sofrito store-bought or homemade
  • 2 –3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp adobo seasoning or to taste
  • ¼ cup sliced green olives optional
  • 1 1½ cups shredded cheese Mexican blend or cheddar
  • Nonstick spray for greasing loaf pan

Instructions

Prepare the Beef Picadillo

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a small loaf pan with nonstick spray.
  • In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Season with adobo. Add sofrito and minced garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain excess fat if needed.
  • Stir in tomato sauce and olives (if using). Mix well, cover, and simmer on low for 5–10 minutes.

Prepare the Plantains

  • While the meat simmers, slice the frozen maduros lengthwise in half. If any are extra thick, cut them into thirds.

Assemble the Pastelón

  • Layer sliced plantains at the bottom of the loaf pan.
  • Pour in half of the beaten egg.
  • Sprinkle a layer of cheese.
  • Add a layer of the cooked picadillo.
  • Top with more cheese.
  • Add another layer of plantains.
  • Pour remaining egg over the top and finish with another sprinkle of cheese.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Finish Baking

  • Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
  • Let it cool slightly before slicing. Serve with arroz con gandules, rice and beans, or avocado on the side.

Video

Notes

-Feel free to swap the beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives.
- You can leave out the egg if preferred, though it helps bind the layers together.
- Customize your pastelón with bell peppers or extra veggies if you like.