Pastelon aka Dominican Lasagna

Pastelon

The pastelón is a casserole dish consisting of typical Latin Caribbean foods such as plantains, sofrito, and seasoned, ground beef, (picadillo).

In the Dominican Republic, this dish is closely related to a casserole. Sweet plantains are boiled and then mashed. Ground meat is layered on top of the plantains and sometimes cheese is added. The dish is then baked.

In Puerto Rico pastelón is considered a Puerto Rican lasagna. Sweet plantains are peeled cut lengthwise into strips and fried in butter and olive oil mix. The plantain replaces lasagna pasta. Diced meat is sautéed with most notably bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, herbs, spices, olives, capers, raisins, garlic, wine, and other ingredients. Plantains are then placed at the bottom of a baking pan layered with meat filling, cheese, and bechamel sauce or marinara sauce.

Puerto Rican pastelón closely resembles Italian lasagna and believed it originated in New York City where Puerto Rican and Italian neighborhoods clashed.

Pastelon Video Tutorial

Pastelon Recipe

Ingredients:

9 Yellow plantains

1 Lb of cooked ground beef “Picadillo”

1 tsp of salt

1 tbsp of butter

2 cups of shredded Mozzarella cheese

Some fresh cilantro

Instructions:

Peel your plantains

Boil them with 1 tsp of salt for about 35 mins

Once the plantains are cooked, dump the water out

Mash the plantains with the butter

On a baking dish lay out half of your plantains

Add all the cooked ground beef to the first layer of plantains

Add the second layer of plantains on top of the ground beef

Spread the plantains with a spatula as even as you can

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake the Pastelon for about 25 mins. Or until all the cheese has melted

Once out of the oven, let it rest for a couple of minutes

Cut into squares, serve and enjoy!