Best 4 Pastelon Puerto Rican Layered Casserole Recipes

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Pastelon, a traditional Puerto Rican layered casserole, is a delectable dish that bursts with Caribbean flavors. This savory masterpiece consists of three distinct layers: a flavorful ground beef filling, sweet and tangy plantains, and a creamy, cheesy custard. The harmonious blend of textures and flavors makes pastelon a beloved dish among Puerto Ricans and food enthusiasts worldwide.

Embark on a culinary journey with us as we present a collection of pastelon recipes that cater to various dietary preferences and skill levels. From the classic pastelon de carne, featuring succulent ground beef, to the vegetarian-friendly pastelon de yuca, made with tender cassava root, our recipes offer something for everyone.

For those seeking a healthier version, we have a pastelon de pollo, where chicken replaces the ground beef, resulting in a leaner and equally delicious dish. And for a taste of the sea, try our pastelon de pescado, featuring flaky white fish as the star ingredient.

No matter your dietary choices, we guarantee that our pastelon recipes will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the vibrant streets of Puerto Rico. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your kitchen, and let's embark on this culinary adventure together!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PASTELON (PUERTO RICAN LAYERED CASSEROLE)



Pastelon (Puerto Rican Layered Casserole) image

This typical Puerto Rican dish is made up of an interesting mix of ingredients but somehow they all work together. There is a little bit of salty, sweet, and savory all in one bite.

Provided by Jenna M.

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Caribbean

Time 1h21m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup tomato sauce
⅓ cup sofrito
8 green olives, finely chopped
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1 teaspoon salt, divided
¼ cup recao
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
cooking spray
¾ cup vegetable oil
6 large ripe plantains - peeled, halved, and each half cut lengthwise into 4 slices
5 large eggs
1 (9 ounce) package frozen French cut green beans, thawed and drained
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef; cook and stir until browned on the outside and no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Remove meat from pan; drain fat.
  • Place tomato sauce, sofrito, green olives, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, recao, and oregano in the skillet. Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Return ground beef to skillet; reduce to a simmer. Cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes more.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray an 8x8-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
  • Pour oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Fry plantain slices until golden, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  • Beat eggs thoroughly in a bowl; add 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Line the bottom of the baking pan with half the plantains, overlapping as needed. Layer ground beef mixture, green beans, and remaining plantains; pour eggs on top. Top with mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until eggs are set and cheese is melted, 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 462.9 calories, Carbohydrate 70.2 g, Cholesterol 149.4 mg, Fat 15.2 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 18.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 678.2 mg, Sugar 33.2 g

PASTELóN (PUERTO RICAN PLANTAIN "LASAGNA")



Pastelón (Puerto Rican Plantain

Pastelón is a classic Puerto Rican dish made with layers of thinly-sliced plantains, ground beef, and cheese! Think of it as a Puerto Rican version of lasagna. It's the perfect casserole to make for a potluck or family gathering.

Provided by Marta Rivera

Categories     Dinner     Casserole

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 ripe plantains, about 3 to 3 1/4 pounds
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 pound ground beef (preferably ground round) or ground turkey
1 teaspoon adobo seasoning blend
1 1/2 teaspoons sazón flavoring blend, store-bought or homemade , optional
1 small white onion, minced (about 1 cup)
1 green bell pepper, minced (about 1 cup)
1 tablespoon recaito flavoring base ( store-bought or homemade ), or 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
6 pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced
1 teaspoon capers
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups Monterey jack, cheddar, or mozzarella cheese, divided
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F: Lightly grease a 10x10 casserole dish (for a thicker pastelón) or 9x13 casserole dish (for a thinner pastelón) with nonstick cooking spray or butter.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 598 kcal, Carbohydrate 53 g, Cholesterol 122 mg, Fiber 5 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Sodium 556 mg, Sugar 24 g, Fat 34 g, ServingSize 6 to 8 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

PASTELóN



Pastelón image

Pastelón is a layered Puerto Rican casserole of plantains, cheese and picadillo, a tomato-based ground beef mixture seasoned with onions, peppers, herbs and spices. The dish is often referred to as Puerto Rican lasagna, and to say there is only one real recipe for pastelón would be like saying there's only one true lasagna. Variations abound! Some cooks boil the plantains and make a mash with taro; others fry them until they're sweet and crisp. Nearly any mild, meltable cheese may be used, though there is debate over whether or not to add raisins. This recipe is adapted from from Natalia Vallejo, chef and owner of Cocina al Fondo in Santurce, Puerto Rico. She doesn't serve pastelón at her restaurant, but she grew up eating it. Her version includes fried plantains, mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and raisins, because she says "Puerto Ricans like that sweet-and-salty mix."

Provided by Daniela Galarza

Categories     dinner, casseroles, meat, vegetables, main course

Time 2h

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 25

6 medium-ripe (yellow with some black spots) large plantains (about 4 1/2 pounds)
1 cup canola oil
1 small yellow onion (about 4 ounces), peeled and roughly chopped
1 small green bell pepper (about 5 1/2 ounces), seeded and roughly chopped
2 ají dulce chiles, seeded and roughly chopped (optional)
3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
2 fresh cilantro stems with leaves, roughly chopped
2 fresh culantro (recao) stems with leaves, roughly chopped (optional)
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground sweet paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup white wine (or water)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup pimento-stuffed manzanilla olives, quartered
2 tablespoons yellow or brown raisins (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 large eggs
Kosher salt
2 cups shredded mozzarella (8 to 10 ounces)

Steps:

  • Prepare the plantains: Line a sheet pan with paper towels; set aside. Cut off the ends of each plantain. With the tip of a knife, score plantains lengthwise and peel off the skin. Using a serrated knife or chef's knife, cut each plantain in half lengthwise, and then halve again lengthwise so you end up with 24 long slices. (If some of the slices break or are unevenly shaped, that's OK! Carry on.)
  • In a large cast-iron or heavy skillet, heat 1 cup oil over medium-high to between 350 and 375 degrees. Working with 4 to 6 slices at a time, depending on what fits, fry plantains until deep golden brown, turning halfway through, about 6 minutes total. Transfer fried plantains to the prepared sheet pan and cook remaining plantains; set aside. (Let oil cool, then strain and reserve for another use.)
  • Prepare the sofrito: Put onion, bell pepper, ají dulce chiles (if using), garlic, cilantro and culantro (if using), in a food processor; blend until it becomes a rough, wet purée. (You should have about 1 cup sofrito).
  • Prepare the picadillo: In a large, heavy skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium until it shimmers. Add the sofrito and cook, stirring often, until purée thickens and starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the beef and stir in the salt, pepper, cumin, paprika and oregano. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is evenly cooked and no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Turn off heat. Push meat mixture to one side, and carefully tilt skillet so that the fat from the meat collects at the bottom of the tilted pan; spoon off and discard as much of this excess fat as you can.
  • Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the chopped tomatoes, wine and tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes fall apart and the liquid starts to reduce, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in olives and raisins, if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Picadillo can be made up to 2 days in advance. Rewarm it in a pan on the stove before proceeding with recipe.)
  • Prepare the pastelón: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with butter. Whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt and set aside.
  • Lay half the fried plantain slices along the bottom of the baking dish crosswise, piecing any broken pieces together to form an even layer. (If there are small gaps in the plantain layer, this is OK.) Top with half the picadillo (about 2 cups), smoothing it into an even layer, then sprinkle half the cheese on top in an even layer. Repeat with another layer of plantains then the remaining picadillo. Pour the whisked eggs evenly over the picadillo layer and spread it so it settles down into the pastelón. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
  • Bake the pastelón until the egg is cooked, the cheese is melted and the layers are set, 20 to 30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve hot.

PASTELON (PUERTO RICAN LAYERED CASSEROLE)



Pastelon (Puerto Rican Layered Casserole) image

This typical Puerto Rican dish is made up of an interesting mix of ingredients but somehow they all work together. There is a little bit of salty, sweet, and savory all in one bite.

Provided by Jenna M

Categories     Caribbean Recipes

Time 1h21m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup tomato sauce
⅓ cup sofrito
8 green olives, finely chopped
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1 teaspoon salt, divided
¼ cup recao
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
cooking spray
¾ cup vegetable oil
6 large ripe plantains - peeled, halved, and each half cut lengthwise into 4 slices
5 large eggs
1 (9 ounce) package frozen French cut green beans, thawed and drained
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef; cook and stir until browned on the outside and no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Remove meat from pan; drain fat.
  • Place tomato sauce, sofrito, green olives, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, recao, and oregano in the skillet. Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Return ground beef to skillet; reduce to a simmer. Cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes more.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray an 8x8-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
  • Pour oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Fry plantain slices until golden, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  • Beat eggs thoroughly in a bowl; add 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Line the bottom of the baking pan with half the plantains, overlapping as needed. Layer ground beef mixture, green beans, and remaining plantains; pour eggs on top. Top with mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until eggs are set and cheese is melted, 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 462.9 calories, Carbohydrate 70.2 g, Cholesterol 149.4 mg, Fat 15.2 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 18.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 678.2 mg, Sugar 33.2 g

Tips:

  • For the best results, use day-old bread. This will help the pasteles to hold their shape better.
  • Be sure to soak the bread in milk until it is completely saturated. This will help to keep the pasteles moist.
  • When cooking the pasteles, be sure to cover them with foil. This will help to keep them from drying out.
  • If you are using a pressure cooker, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for cooking pasteles.
  • Serve the pasteles immediately with your favorite sides, such as rice, beans, or a salad.

Conclusion:

Pastelon is a delicious and easy-to-make Puerto Rican dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its combination of flavorful ground beef, sweet plantains, and creamy cheese, pastelon is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give pastelon a try. You won't be disappointed!

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