Season 10 - Lunch / S10L08
Puerto Rican Pastelón (Plantain Lasagna)
Story
One Sunday afternoon, the kitchen smelled like sweet plantains and savory spices. Don Luis, wearing his classic jean and leather apron, lined up golden slices of maduros while humming an old salsa tune. “¡Esto sí que es comida de abuela!” he said, stacking each layer with care. This was his grandson’s favorite dish—a sweet and savory hug in every bite. He always made extra, knowing the neighbors would mysteriously show up just in time for dinner. As the cheese melted and the edges crisped, Don Luis gave a proud nod. Pastelón wasn’t just a meal—it was tradition baked into every cheesy layer. Time & Cost
Ingredients
- Ripe plantains (maduros) – 6 large, peeled and sliced lengthwise
- Ground beef or ground turkey – 1½ lbs
- White onion – 1 small, diced
- Bell pepper (red or green) – ½, diced
- Garlic cloves – 3, minced
- Tomato sauce – 1 cup
- Pitted green olives – ¼ cup, sliced
- Adobo seasoning – 1 tsp
- Sazón with achiote – 1 packet
- Oregano – ½ tsp
- Eggs – 3, beaten
- Shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese – 2 cups
- Butter or oil – for pan-frying plantains
- Salt & pepper – to taste
Instructions
- 1Prep the plantains: Slice plantains lengthwise into thin strips. In a large skillet, heat oil or butter and fry plantains until golden brown on both sides. Set aside on paper towels.
- 2Cook the filling: In a large pan, sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until fragrant. Add ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns. Drain excess fat if needed.
- 3Add tomato sauce, olives, adobo, sazón, oregano, and salt & pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until the meat mixture thickens.
- 4Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- 5Assemble the pastelón:
- 6Layer the bottom of the dish with fried plantains.
- 7Add a layer of beef filling.
- 8Sprinkle cheese generously.
- 9Repeat layers, finishing with plantains on top.
- 10Pour beaten eggs over the top layer. This helps bind the layers together.
- 11Top with more cheese and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- 12Cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with a side salad or avocado slices 🥑.
About the narrator
Don Luis · A character for three generations
Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.
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