Pastelón de Papa [Recipe + Video] Potato and Beef Casserole
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
1 min
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Total Time
16 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
673 kcal
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Cuisine
South American, Dominican
Pastelón de Papa [Recipe + Video] Potato and Beef Casserole
Description
Pastelón de Papa starts with a hearty filling of browned minced beef sautéed with onion, garlic, and bell pepper, simmered in tomato sauce seasoned with salt, pepper, and fresh cilantro. Meanwhile, peeled potatoes are boiled and mashed with milk, butter, garlic powder, salt, parsley, and optionally egg yolks for richness. A good melting cheese like mozzarella or cheddar adds moisture and flavor to the casserole.
The dish assembles in a greased baking pan with half the mashed potatoes spread on the bottom, topped with half the cheese and then the beef filling. The remaining mashed potato and cheese complete the layers. It bakes until set and golden, creating a comforting texture contrast between the creamy mashed potato and the savory, moist beef filling with melted cheese throughout.
This casserole works well for family dinners or meal prepping, providing a filling main course. Adjust salt and pepper to taste in the filling. Using a potato ricer or thorough mashing ensures a creamy texture without lumps in the potato layer. The included video demonstrates the cooking and assembly process clearly.
Ingredients
Minced beef filling
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red onion (medium-size, minced [65 g]
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 pound beef 454g, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 1½ teaspoon salt (or more, to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly-cracked or ground
- 1 prig cilantro chopped
Potato Casserole
- 2 pound potato [0.9 kg], peeled
- 1½ teaspoon salt divided (or more, to taste)
- 1 cup whole milk or skim milk
- ¼ cup butter plus extra for greasing the pan, salted
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped finely
- 2 egg optional, yolk
- 2½ cups mozzarella or Cheddar cheese, or both, grated
Instructions
1. Making filling
- See the video to make the ground beef filling hereHeat oil over medium-low heat. Stir in onion and cook and stir until it turns translucent. Add garlic and cook stirring, for a minute.Add minced meat and cook over high heat and stir, breaking into small clumps until it browns.
- Pour in tomato sauce, and add bell pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir and cover. Simmer for 3 minutes.Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste if needed. Remove from the heat.
2. Preparing the potatoes
- Boil the potatoes in salted water (½ teaspoon of salt) until they are cooked through. Mash the potatoes, while still warm. A potato ricer (Amazon affiliate link) works best for this, but you can also use a food processor, or simply mash until there aren't any lumps.Mix in potatoes, milk, butter, garlic powder, and salt to taste. Mix in parsley and yolks.
3. Assembling
- Grease a 9-cup baking pan. Spread half of the potato mash in the baking pan, and cover with half the cheese. Top with the meat filling, followed by the remaining potato mash. Top with the remaining half of the cheese.
4. Baking
- Cook in a preheated oven at 350 ºF [170 ºC] for 20 minutes, or until the top is a light golden color, and cheese is bubbly.
5. Serving
- Let it rest for a minute or two before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 673 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 673kcal | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 46g | 71% |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Cholesterol | 180mg | 60% |
| Sodium | 1820mg | 76% |
| Potassium | 1162mg | 25% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1502IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 60mg | 67% |
| Calcium | 336mg | 34% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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