Puerto Rican Pastelón

Ingredients

• 6 ripe plantains (amarillos)
• 1 cup oil (for frying)
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1/4 cup sofrito
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons adobo
• 3 teaspoons sazon (or 2 packets)
• 1 cup water
• 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 eggs

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Cook the sweet plantains ---

2. 2

   Peel the ripe plantains by cutting the ends, cutting through the skin lengthwise, and removing the skin. Cut each plantain into 4 long pieces.

3. 3

   In a large pan add the oil over medium-high heat. Fry the plantains for 2 minutes on each side. This may take several batches to fry them all. Set them aside.

4. 4

   --- Cook the meat ---

5. 5

   In a big pan add the ground beef, sofrito, tomato sauce, adobo, sazon, and water over high heat. Mix everything and cook the meat while breaking it apart to avoid any big lumps. Cook for 12 minutes and set it aside.

6. 6

   --- Preheat oven ---

7. 7

   Preheat your oven to 350° F.

8. 8

   --- Assemble pastelon ---

9. 9

   Take your baking pan and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the fat and juices of the meat to the bottom of the pan. Now make 1 layer of plantains on the bottom of your pan. Make sure you cover the spaces with pieces of plantain.

10. 10

    Now layer all your meat evenly on top of the plantains. Press down on the meat to make sure is all compacted. Now spread half of the cheese on top of the meat.

11. 11

    Make another layer of plantains and cover the empty spots with small pieces.

12. 12

    Beat your eggs and pour them on top of the plantains. With the aid of a spoon, spread the egg around. Add the rest of the cheese.

13. 13

    --- Bake ---

14. 14

    Bake the pastelon for 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy!