Pastelón (Plantain Lasagna Recipe) (Edit recipe)

Prepare picadillo

1. Brown your ground beef and remove any excess fat from your skillet.
2. Add sofrito, tomato sauce, onions and peppers. Add seasonings and cook for a few minutes until the vegetables become tender.
3. Add a little water and cover. Continue to cook on low heat for about 10 minutes or until the beef is cooked through.

Prepare the plantains

1. Peel the plantains. Since they are very ripe, the skin will come off easily, similar to a banana.
2. Spray air-fryer and plantains with canola oil spray. Place plantains (whole) in air-fryer and cook at 390 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the plantains halfway through cooking time to ensure even cooking.
3. Place cooked plantains on a flat surface. Cover with parchment paper and smash with a cutting board.

Assemble pastelón

1. Spray casserole dish with canola oil spray. Place two smashed plantains at the bottom of the pan. Use a fork or spatula to flatten into an even layer.
2. Top with half of the picadillo and sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese. Repeat these steps for the next layer.
3. Top with final layer of plantains and remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until the pastelón is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
5. Allow the pastelón to cool for 15 minutes before cutting into it so that it keeps its shape.
6. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve and enjoy!