If you’re into that perfect combination between sweet and savory – you’re in for a treat with our vegan Puerto Rican pastelón!
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Why You’ll Love This
- This recipe has been modified to be 100% plant-based! No dairy, no meat, no eggs. Additionally, pastelón is naturally gluten-free.
- It’s the perfect recipe if you have a crowd or large family to feed. Like most casseroles, it’s easy to make and almost hassle-free.
- It’s a “healthier” version of traditional Pastelón. Instead of greasy ground beef, we’re using fiber-packed lentils. Rather than frying the plantains, we’re going for mashed plantains instead (this also means an easier clean-up).
Pastelón (pronounced: pa-stay-loan) is also known as pastel horneado, which translates to “baked pie” in English.
The dish can also be call piñon, depending on who you ask. It’s a regional thing on what name it goes by. Piñon is typically from the southern and west regions of Puerto Rico, while pastelón is from the east and northern regions.
In my family? We call it pastelón.
What Is Pastelón
Pastelón is a popular dish from Puerto Rico. Its also popular in the Dominican Republic. It’s often described as the Latin-Caribbean version of lasagna or shepherd’s pie.
Pastelón and lasagna are similar in the sense that they are both layered, oven-baked casserole. However, the ingredients differ greatly.
Puerto Rican Pastelón is usually made with layers of fried (or mashed) plantains, a filling (usually meat and vegetables), and sometimes cheese and/or eggs.
In my family, pastelón usually includes eggs and cheese. Because we’re going plant-based in this recipe, we’re going to omit the cheese and eggs.
Note, different regions, families, households will have their special touch to the recipe. At the end of the day, it’s about the flavors and ingredients you and your family enjoy.
So, is this recipe “authentic” or “traditional?” Well, not really. But that’s because making this plant-based, which is not the typical way of making pastelón.
But – is it delicious? Oh, my gosh YES.
What To Eat With Pastelón
My favorite way to enjoy vegetarian pastelón is with a heaping serving of Puerto Rican yellow rice, along with sliced avocado and stewed beans.
Recipe FAQs
How to Layer Pastelón
We’re going for 3 layers here.
Bottom: Mashed plantains
Middle: Lentils
Top: Mashed plantains
Then, brush a bit of oil on top.
Where To Find Plantains
I can usually find ripe, yellow plantains at Latin, Caribbean, or African grocery stores. I have also found some luck at Asian markets.
If you spot a green plantain instead, let them hang out on top of your kitchen counter until they’ve ripened – which will take about 2 weeks.
Alternatively, store the plantains in a paper bag to speed up the ripening process.
You’ll know the plantains are ripe and ready to use when they are mostly black and tender to the touch.
Check out How To Peel A Plantain, before getting started with this recipe.
How To Store
Once the pastelón has cooled down, cover/wrap tightly and store in an airtight container or for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Alternatively, store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Recipe Tips
- Be sure to use ripe, tender-to-the-touch plantains. The plantains should be mostly black.
- Feel free to top off the pastelón with vegan cheese.
- I suggest using homemade sofrito. Store-bought sofrito just isn’t the same.
More Puerto Rican Recipes
- Puerto Rican Spaghetti
- Beefless “Beef” Stew
- Fried Sweet Plantains
- Homemade Sofrito
- Bean Stew
- Mushroom Pernil
Tried out this Vegan Pastelón recipe?
Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it, or tag a picture @plantbasedandbroke on Instagram and hashtag it #plantbasedandbroke. Show off that creation with us.
Vegan Pastelón (Pastelón de Plátano Maduro)
Ingredients
Mashed Plantains
- 5 ripe plantains peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
- Salt
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter
- 1/4 cup vegan milk soy milk was used
Lentil Filling
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons sofrito
- 1/2 cup walnuts crushed or chopped
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sazon
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup pimento-stuffed green olives halved
- 1 cup green lentils rinsed and pick out any debris and broken lentils
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
Instructions
Mashed Plantains
- Place plantains, water, and 1 teaspoon of salt into a large pot or dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Once at a boil, reduce to medium-low and simmer until plantains are fork-tender, about 10 minutes.
- Rinse foam from plantains and drain excess water.
- Transfer boiled plantains into a large bowl. Mashed plantains with a potato mashed or a fork. Then, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt, vegan butter, and vegan milk. Combine well. Set aside.
Lentil Filling
- In a saucepan or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the sofrito. Stir constantly until fragrant, for about 1-2 minutes. Next, add the walnuts, oregano, adobo seasoning, sazon, black pepper, olives. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour lentils and water into the saucepan or dutch oven. Combine well.
- Without a lid, bring everything to a boil. Once at a boil, reduce to low to medium-low and simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, or until tender. Add the tomato sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Assemble Pastelón
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease an 8×8 baking dish.
- Scoop half of the mashed plantains into the baking dish. Press down the mashed plantains for a leveled layer.
- Scoop all of the lentils and spread evenly on top of the mashed plantains. Then, apply the rest of the mashed plantains on top, spreading evenly. Brush the top layer with oil.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes. Then, remove foil and broil for 4-5 minutes.
- Remove the pastelón from the oven and allow to cool down for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to top off the pastelón with vegan cheese. The vegan cheese can also be added between the layers, similar to lasagna.
- I suggest using homemade sofrito. Store-bought sofrito just isn’t the same.
- This recipe serves about 6 people.
- Be sure the plantains are very ripe. They need to be tender to the touch, so we can yield soft and creamy mashed plantains.
Vegan Puerto Rican Spaghetti
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Ruth
Will this work with unripe plantains? I’m asking because I prefer the flavor of unripe plantains.
Aly Michell
Hey Ruth! I haven’t tried making pastelón with green/unripe plantains, so I cannot say for sure. However, I’d imagine the plantains will be tougher in texture.