Pastelón or plantain lasagna is a Puerto Rican dish made by layering sweet plantains, picadillo. (ground beef) and cheese in a casserole dish. It’s like a lasagna but with Latin flair! If you enjoy the flavors of Latin cuisine, you will love this dish!
Ripe plantains and picadillo. make this dish both sweet and savory: the best of both worlds. It’s the perfect casserole to make for a potluck or family gathering. Pastelón is also a holiday favorite. Save this Puerto Rican lasagna recipe for a delicious meal the whole family will love!
What is Puerto Rican pastelón?
Pastelón is a lasagna made with sweet plantains, picadillo. and cheese. It has both Puerto Rican and Dominican roots. But it is prepared differently on both islands. Although the ingredients are pretty much the same, the difference lies in the way the plantains are cooked.
In Puerto Rico, the plantains are sliced into long strips and fried until golden brown. In the Dominican Republic, the plantains are boiled and then mashed into a puree.
Ingredients for pastelón
What is pastelón made of? Sweet plantains, picadillo. and shredded cheese are the main components of pastelón. Some argue that authentic pastelón has no cheese, but I think cheese is absolutely necessary. I am sure you’ll agree! After all, what is a lasagna without cheese?!
As for the plantains, they must be ripe. The more ripe, the better! I have found that the ripest plantains taste the best and are also more pliable which make it easier to mold into layers perfectly. The plantains are typically cut into long strips and fried but I found a method that is both easier and healthier. Total game changer! (Details to follow).
Picadillo is the delicious ground beef filling and it’s made with fragrant sofrito and tomato sauce. Below are the main ingredients or non-negotiables. Other ingredients like raisins are completely optional. As for seasoning, I use Healthy Rican Adobo and Sazón. They are free of harmful ingredients like MSG and dyes. Use my code: madewithsazon for 10% off your order!
- Ground beef
- Sofrito
- Tomato sauce
- Onion
- Red bell pepper
- Green pimento stuffed olives
- Adobo
- Sazón
- Oregano
How to make plantain lasagna?
I like to air fry the ripe plantains whole. Then I smash them with a cutting board. Just make sure to cover the plantains with parchment paper before you smash them so they don’t stick to the cutting board.
This has to be the best way I have found to make pastelón. It eliminates the frying process and smashing the plantains whole makes them the perfect shape and size for layering in a casserole dish. It’s a WIN all around!
Once your plantains and picadillo are cooked, it’s just a matter of assembling the ingredients like a lasagna. Lay your first layer of plantains in a casserole dish. Top with picadillo followed by a layer of shredded cheese. I like a cheese blend like cheddar, colby Jack and mozzarella.
Repeat this process until you have three layers of plantains. The top layer of plantains should be topped with cheese only. Some people pour egg mixture over top to bind everything together but I prefer not to because I don’t like egg throughout my pastelón.
When I make this recipe, my pastelón keeps its shape and I don’t find the need to add any eggs. Once it’s out of the oven, let it rest at least 15 minutes before you cut into it so it doesn’t fall apart.
Serve with rice and habichuelas guisadas or your favorite sides. Mine include ensalada de papa or a garden salad and avocado!
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Pastelón (Plantain Lasagna Recipe)
Equipo
- 1 Air-fryer
- 1 Pan with lid
- 1 Casserole dish I use a 9×6 inch
Ingredientes
- 6 very ripe plantains almost black
Picadillo
- 1 lb carne molida
- 1/3 taza sofrito
- 8 oz salsa de tomate
- 1 cebolla picadito
- 1/4 pimiento rojo picadito
- 3 tbsp aceitunas verdes sliced
- 1 tbsp pasas opcional
- 1/2 tbsp adobo Healthy Rican
- 1 tsp sazón Healthy Rican
- 1/2 tsp cebolla en polvo
- 1/2 tsp ground oregano
- 1/4 tsp pimienta negra
Cheese
- 1/2 taza shredded cheddar or Colby jack cheese
- 1/2 taza shredded mozzarella cheese
Intrucciones
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
Prepare picadillo
- Brown your ground beef and remove any excess fat from your skillet.
- Agrega el sofrito, la salsa de tomate, la cebolla y los pimientos. Agregue los condimentos y cocine por unos cuantos minutos.
- Add a little water and cover. Continue to cook on low heat for about 10 minutes or until the beef is cooked through.
Prepare the plantains
- Peel the plantains. Since they are very ripe, the skin will come off easily, similar to a banana.
- Spray air-fryer and plantains with canola oil spray. Place plantains (whole) in air-fryer and cook at 390 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the plantains halfway through cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- Place cooked plantains on a flat surface. Cover with parchment paper and smash with a cutting board.
Assemble pastelón
- Spray casserole dish with canola oil spray. Place two smashed plantains at the bottom of the pan. Use a fork or spatula to flatten into an even layer.
- Top with half of the picadillo and sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese. Repeat these steps for the next layer.
- Top with final layer of plantains and remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until the pastelón is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Allow the pastelón to cool for 15 minutes before cutting into it so that it keeps its shape.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notas
Check out my other Latin recipes!
Alcapurrias (Puerto Rican Fritters)
Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas)
Puerto Rican Potato Salad (Ensalada de Papa)
Puerto Rican Meatballs In Sofrito Sauce
Puerto Rican Beans (Habichuelas Guisadas)
Pollo al Horno (Baked Chicken)
Spanish 
English 
This is the first time trying this and now I am obsessed thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!!
I am so happy to hear that! I love sharing all of the dishes I grew up eating in my childhood!
I’ll try this recipe it’s better than frying and healthier
Yes, it’s much healthier and easier this way! Thank you for your feedback, let me know how it comes out when you try it!
Oye Mami, Boricua. Esta receta es la major de todos las demas! Muy Delicioso!
MEJOR!!!
Yaassss I am so happy you are enjoying my recipes! Thank you, Latinlicious Cha! Love you mamiii!
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Amazing thank you
The hack to air fry the entire plantain is a game changer! It was so much less intimidating to make this that way and saved so much work from when I fried slices of the sweet plantain and it was even more delicious! Great recipe!
This is my 2nd Recipe of Made with Sazon I’ve done and she’s always on point……As I love Pastelon but I can’t have too much fried food and I must say OMG this way of making the Sweet Plantains in the Air Fryer is AMAZING…..THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND ALL YOUR GAME CHANGER RECIPES