Puerto Rican Shepherd Pie (Pastelon)

Seasoned ground beef and green beans are sandwiched between layers of eggs and sweet plantains. Use the extra sofrito on your favorite meat and bean dishes!

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 439 Calories

Ingredients

• 4 eggs, beaten
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pound ground beef
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• olive oil
• 2 (15 ounce) cans green beans, drained
• 1 bunch fresh parsley
• 1 onion, cut into chunks
• 1 tablespoon water, or as needed
• 1 (1.41 ounce) package sazon seasoning
• 1 pinch adobo seasoning, or to taste
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 bunch culantro
• 8 ripe plantains, peeled and cut on the bias

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

To make sofrito: Place the onion, bell pepper, parsley, cilantro, culantro, garlic, and water into a blender. Cover, and puree until smooth. Pour mixture into a bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 3

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the ground beef. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Stir in 2 tablespoons of sofrito into the beef, then season with sazon, pepper, and adobo. Drain and discard any excess grease; set aside.

Step 4

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Arrange the plantains in the skillet and pan fry until golden and softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Layer half of the plantains in a deep baking dish, making sure to cover the entire bottom of the dish. Pour 4 beaten eggs over the plantains, then spread the beef on top. Layer the green beans over the beef, then arrange the remaining plantains on top. Pour 4 more beaten eggs evenly over the plantains. Sprinkle the top with adobo seasoning.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until the eggs are firm, 30 to 45 minutes.