Pastelón (puertorriqueño Plátano Lasagna)

Ingredientes

• para the Sweet plátanos:
• 4 plátanos maduros, peeled y sliced lengthwise into ¼-inch strips 🍌
• 2 tbsp mantequilla o vegetable oil (para frying) 🧈
• para the Picadillo (Seasoned carne Filling):
• 1 lb ground carne 🥩
• 0.5 pequeño cebolla, finamente picado 🧅
• 2 cloves ajo, minced 🧄
• 0.25 cup fresco cilantro, picado 🌿
• 0.5 green bell pepper, finamente picado 🫑
• 0.5 cup tomate sauce 🍅
• 0.25 cup green olives, sliced (opcional, but highly recommended!) 🫒
• 1 tsp ground cumin 🌶️
• 1 tsp adobo seasoning 🧂
• 0.5 tsp pimienta negra 🌶️
• 1 tsp dried oregano 🍃
• 0.25 tsp sazón *(para color y flavor!)* 🌶️
• 1 tbsp aceite de oliva 🫒
• para the Layers & Topping:
• 3 eggs, beaten 🥚
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella queso *(o a mix de cheddar y Monterey Jack)* 🧀

Instrucciones

1. 11️⃣ Prepare the Picadillo (carne Filling) 🍲
2. 21️⃣ In a grande sartén, calienta 1 tbsp aceite de oliva 🫒 over fuego medio.
3. 32️⃣ Add cebolla 🧅, ajo 🧄, bell pepper 🫑, y cilantro 🌿, y saltea until soft.
4. 43️⃣ Stir in the ground carne 🥩 y cocina until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
5. 54️⃣ Add tomate sauce 🍅, olives 🫒, cumin 🌶️, adobo 🧂, pimienta negra 🌶️, oregano 🍃, y sazón 🌶️. Simmer para 10 minutes, allowing flavors to blend beautifully. reserva.
6. 62️⃣ Fry the plátanos 🍌🔥
7. 75️⃣ In another pan, melt mantequilla 🧈 o calienta oil over fuego medio.
8. 86️⃣ Fry plátano 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 de sweet plátanos 🍌 on the bottom.
13. 13Layer 2: Spread half de the picadillo 🥩 evenly over the plátanos.
14. 141️⃣1️⃣ Layer 3: Sprinkle ⅓ de the queso 🧀 over the carne.
15. 151️⃣2️⃣ Repeat layers, finishing con a final layer de plátanos 🍌 on top.
16. 161️⃣3️⃣ Pour the beaten eggs 🥚 over the entire dish *(this helps bind everything together)*.
17. 171️⃣4️⃣ Top con the remaining queso 🧀 para that golden, bubbly finish.
18. 184️⃣ Bake to Perfection 🔥
19. 191️⃣5️⃣ Bake uncovered para 30 minutes, o until the queso is beautifully golden y the edges are slightly crispy.
20. 201️⃣6️⃣ Let it rest para 10 minutes before slicing.
21. 21sirve & disfruta!
22. 22sirve warm, con a side de avocado slices 🥑 o a fresco green salad 🥗.