Pastelon - A Puerto Rican Delight

Pastelon is a savory Puerto Rican dish that is often described as a cross between a lasagna and a shepherd's pie. This hearty casserole is made with layers of sweet plantains, seasoned ground beef, and cheese, all baked to perfection. The combination of flavors in this dish is truly amazing, and it's sure to become a favorite in your household. With a little bit of prep work, you can enjoy this traditional Puerto Rican recipe in no time.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 2 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced lengthwise
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
3. Stir in the ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
4. Add the tomato sauce to the skillet and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
6. In a separate skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Fry the plantain slices until golden brown.
7. Layer half of the fried plantains in the bottom of a greased baking dish.
8. Spread half of the ground beef mixture over the plantains.
9. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the beef layer.
10. Repeat the layers with the remaining plantains, beef mixture, and cheeses.
11. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
12. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
13. Allow the pastelon to cool for a few minutes before serving.
14. Slice and serve warm. Enjoy!

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