Pastelón (Puerto Rican Plantain Lasagna)

Ingredients

• For the Sweet Plantains:
• 4 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced lengthwise into ¼-inch strips 🍌
• 2 tbsp butter or vegetable oil (for frying) 🧈
• For the Picadillo (Seasoned Beef Filling):
• 1 lb ground beef 🥩
• 0.5 small onion, finely chopped 🧅
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
• 0.5 green bell pepper, finely chopped 🫑
• 0.5 cup tomato sauce 🍅
• 0.25 cup green olives, sliced (optional, but highly recommended!) 🫒
• 1 tsp ground cumin 🌶️
• 1 tsp adobo seasoning 🧂
• 0.5 tsp black pepper 🌶️
• 1 tsp dried oregano 🍃
• 0.25 tsp sazón *(for color and flavor!)* 🌶️
• 1 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• For the Layers & Topping:
• 3 eggs, beaten 🥚
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese *(or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack)* 🧀

Instructions

1. 11️⃣ Prepare the Picadillo (Beef Filling) 🍲
2. 21️⃣ In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil 🫒 over medium heat.
3. 32️⃣ Add onion 🧅, garlic 🧄, bell pepper 🫑, and cilantro 🌿, and sauté until soft.
4. 43️⃣ Stir in the ground beef 🥩 and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
5. 54️⃣ Add tomato sauce 🍅, olives 🫒, cumin 🌶️, adobo 🧂, black pepper 🌶️, oregano 🍃, and sazón 🌶️. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to blend beautifully. Set aside.
6. 62️⃣ Fry the Plantains 🍌🔥
7. 75️⃣ In another pan, melt butter 🧈 or heat oil over medium heat.
8. 86️⃣ Fry plantain slices 🍌 until golden brown on both sides (about 2 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels.
9. 93️⃣ Assemble the Pastelón 🏗️
10. 107️⃣ Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
11. 118️⃣ Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
12. 129️⃣ Layer 1: Arrange a layer of sweet plantains 🍌 on the bottom.
13. 13Layer 2: Spread half of the picadillo 🥩 evenly over the plantains.
14. 141️⃣1️⃣ Layer 3: Sprinkle ⅓ of the cheese 🧀 over the beef.
15. 151️⃣2️⃣ Repeat layers, finishing with a final layer of plantains 🍌 on top.
16. 161️⃣3️⃣ Pour the beaten eggs 🥚 over the entire dish *(this helps bind everything together)*.
17. 171️⃣4️⃣ Top with the remaining cheese 🧀 for that golden, bubbly finish.
18. 184️⃣ Bake to Perfection 🔥
19. 191️⃣5️⃣ Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully golden and the edges are slightly crispy.
20. 201️⃣6️⃣ Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
21. 21Serve & Enjoy!
22. 22Serve warm, with a side of avocado slices 🥑 or a fresh green salad 🥗.