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4.6 from 15 votes

Turkey Pastelón (Sweet Plantain Lasagna)

Turkey Pastelón is a latin lasagna made of strips of sweet plantain layered with savory picadillo and cheese. It's that sweet salty thing that makes it taste SO good!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 35 mins
Servings: 9 servings
Calories: 282 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1.25 lb 93% lean ground turkey
  • cooking spray (I used my mister)
  • 1/2 cup onion (finely chopped)
  • 4 ripe plantains (peeled and sliced into thin strips)
  • 3 cloves minced garlic 
  • 1 large egg (beaten)
  • 1 to mato (chopped)
  • 3 large egg whites (beaten)
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper (finely chopped)
  • 2 tbsp fat free milk
  • 2 tbsp cilantro
  • 1 1/2 cups reduced fat shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • 4 oz 1/2 can tomato sauce
  • kosher salt
  • fresh ground pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tbsp alcaparrado (capers or green olives would work too)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Brown the ground turkey on medium heat in large sauté pan and season with salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat up into small pieces.
  2. Add the chopped onions, garlic, pepper, tomato and cilantro and continue cooking on a low heat.
  3. Add alcaparrado (or olives and capers) and about 2 tbsp of the brine (this adds great flavor) cumin, oregano, bay leaves, and more salt if needed.
  4. Add tomato sauce and 1/4 cup of water and mix well. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered about 15 minutes.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9 x 9 baking dish with oil.
  6. Heat a large non-stick sauté pan over medium heat. When hot spray with oil to lightly coat the bottom.
  7. Cook plantains for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden; set aside.
  8. Assemble by layering the plantains, then the cooked turkey picadillo, then about 1/4 cup of cheese and repeat. You want to finish with a layer of plantains.
  9. Beat the egg and egg whites with 2 tbsp of milk and pour over the pastelón to help bind everything, letting it sit for a minute or two to soak in.
  10. Top off with the remaining cheese. Cover tight with foil and bake in the oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until completely heated through.
  11. Cut into 9 equal pieces and serve.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/9th slice Calories 282kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 30g (10%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 9g (14%) Cholesterol 21mg (7%) Sodium 314mg (13%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 13g (26%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 282

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/9th slice
Calories 282kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 30g 10%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 9g 14%
Cholesterol 21mg 7%
Sodium 314mg 13%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 13g 26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.