Pastelón de plátano maduro translates to sweet plantain lasagna or a ripe plantain casserole. Pastelon is like an italian lasagna at first glance but subbing out key ingredients for latin ingredients. Sliced plantains are the "noodles" and there is also a beef filling that has spanish flavors. In my research I've seen that there are different ways to make this dish which include ingredients like green beans and raisins. I did not use those in my version of this recipe but it's up to personal preferences. If you'd like to add those ingredients to this recipe, they could work too. If you want to try something new for dinner I would definitely recommend this comfort food.
Pastelon Ingredients
Sweet Plantains- These are the "noodles" of the lasagna. These are not the green plantains that would be used for things like mangu or tostones. Ripe plantains are yellow with brown or black spots on them and are found at your local grocery store in the produce section. Those are the plantains that are used in this recipe.
Meat- a pound ground beef is used in this recipe. I would prefer to use a lean ground meat because it will produce less oil. If you did not want to use beef, ground turkey could be used.
Veggies- green bell peppers, garlic, onions, and green olives.
Seasonings- cumin, oregano, cayenne, adobo seasoning, and sazon.
Grated Cheese- You can use a variety of cheese or just one. I used a mexican blend because it has a bunch of cheese in one. You can use mozzarella, monterey jack, or cheddar.
Let's make Pastelon!
Slice plantains into thin slices lengthwise. This can be done with a knife or a mandolin. Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Fry slices of plantains on each side for 1 1/2- 2 minutes until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel lined lined dish and fry remaining plantains.
In a large skillet cook ground beef for until browned and drain any accumulated grease in pan and set aside. Add green pepper, onion, and garlic and cook for 3 minutes then add sofrito. Then add back ground beef, seasonings, and olives and give a good mix. Add tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
Spray a square pan / baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Layer the bottom with long slices of fried plantains(1). Then pour beaten egg over top of the plantain layer (2). Top with meat mixture(3) then add cheese (4). Repeat adding a second layer of plantains, beaten egg, beef filing, and cheese. Add a final layer of plantains then sprinkle on remaining cheese and bake in a preheated 350° oven for 25 minutes heated all the way through and bubbly.
I know it will be very hard but allow to cool for about 15 minutes so the pastelon can set making it easier to slice.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy!
- Arroz Con Gandules
- Puerto Rican Style Pork Chops
- Mangu Los Tres Golpes
- Tostones with Mayo-Ketchup Sauce
- Pollo Guisado
Pastelon (Sweet Plantain Lasagna)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 ripe plantains
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp sofrito
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp adobo seasoning
- 1 packet sazon
- 1 tbsp olives chopped
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Slice plantains into thin slices lengthwise. This can be done with a knife or a mandolin.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Fry slices of plantains on each side for 1 1/2- 2 minutes until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel lined lined dish and fry remaining plantains.
- In a large skillet cook ground beef for until browned and drain any accumulated grease in pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add green pepper, onion, and garlic and cook for 3 minutes then add sofrito. Add back ground beef, seasonings, and olives and give a good mix. Pour in the tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Spray a square pan / baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. I used a 9X9 baking dish. Layer the bottom with long slices of fried plantains. Then pour beaten egg over top of the plantain layer. Top with meat mixture then add cheese. Repeat adding a second layer of plantains, beaten egg, beef filing, and cheese. Add a final layer of plantains then sprinkle on remaining cheese and bake in a preheated 350° oven for 25 minutes until heated all the way through and bubbly.
- Allow to cool for about 15 minutes so the pastelon can set making it easier to slice.
Video
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