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Pastelón

A traditional Puerto Rican dish — Pastelón is the island’s beloved sweet-and-savory plantain lasagna, layering fried ripe plantains with garlicky beef picadillo and melted cheese.

⏱ 30 minPrep time
🔥 40 minCook time
🍽 8Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Pastelón - Portoricain recipe

A traditional Puerto Rican dish — Pastelón is the island’s beloved sweet-and-savory plantain lasagna, layering fried ripe plantains with garlicky beef picadillo and melted cheese. A beaten egg custard poured over the top binds the layers into a sliceable golden loaf. It is what Puerto Rican grandmothers make when they want lasagna flavor with a Caribbean soul.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Heat the oil in a skillet and fry the plantain strips in batches until golden on both sides, about 2 minutes per side; drain on paper towels.
  2. In the same skillet, brown the beef with the sofrito, tomato sauce, adobo, oregano and olives until the mixture is dry and well seasoned, about 10 minutes.
  3. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a baking dish, layer half the plantains, then the beef, then half the cheese; repeat with the remaining plantains and cheese.
  4. Pour the beaten eggs evenly over the top, letting them settle into the layers.
  5. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, until the eggs are set and the cheese is bubbling and golden. Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

💡 Chef tips & storage

The plantains must be ripe with spotty skins for sweetness. Let the pastelón rest before cutting so the custard sets and the layers hold together.

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Recipe details

Prep30 min
Cook40 min
Servings8
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →