How to make Puerto Rican Pastelon

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in calories.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: monterey jack

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories while still providing flavor.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat while maintaining texture.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is more affordable and widely available.

Welcome to my channel, today I'm going to show you how I make my Puerto Rican pastelon.

Prepare the meat first; use 2.2 pounds of ground beef and place it in a skillet without oil as the meat will release its own oil.

Break the meat apart with a wooden spatula and add sofrito, which is a blend of peppers, onions, garlic, and cilantro.

Add seasoning: oregano, black pepper, and adobo seasoning to taste.

Add 1 beef bouillon cube, breaking it up so it mixes well with the meat.

Add 1 can of tomato sauce and lower the heat to medium, cooking the meat for about 15 minutes until fully cooked.

Peel the ripe yellow plantains, cutting off the ends and slicing them lengthwise into 3-4 long pieces.

Heat olive oil in the skillet and fry the plantain slices for about 1 minute on each side until golden.

After frying, place the plantains on paper towels to drain excess oil.

In a baking dish, layer the fried plantains at the bottom, ensuring they stick together.

Spread a layer of the cooked meat mixture over the plantains.

If desired, add canned green beans on top of the meat layer (optional).

In a bowl, beat 2-3 eggs and mix in shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.

Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the meat layer.

Add another layer of fried plantains on top, pressing them down gently.

Pour the remaining egg and cheese mixture over the top layer of plantains.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for approximately 30-40 minutes until bubbling and set.

Let the pastelon cool for a bit before slicing and serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: