Pastel de Yuca con Carne Molida
A savory and comforting casserole featuring a base of mashed yuca topped with seasoned ground beef, baked until golden and delicious. This dish offers a hearty and flavorful alternative to traditional potato-based casseroles.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 lbs Yuca(peeled and cut into chunks)
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 can (8 oz) Tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Adobo seasoning
- 1 packet Sazón con achiote
- 1/2 medium Green bell pepper(chopped)
- 1/4 cup Olives(pitted and sliced)
- 1/4 cup Cilantro(chopped)
- 2 large Eggs(beaten)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Boil the yuca in salted water until very tender, about 20-25 minutes. Drain well.
- 2
Mash the cooked yuca with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. Stir in the beaten eggs.
💡 Tip: Ensure no fibrous parts remain in the yuca. - 3
In a separate skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
- 4
Add chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in the tomato sauce, adobo seasoning, sazón, and olives. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- 6
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
💡 Tip: Ensure the oven is fully preheated for even baking. - 7
Spread half of the mashed yuca mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with the ground beef mixture, then spread the remaining yuca mixture over the top.
💡 Tip: Use a spatula to create an even layer of both the yuca and meat. - 8
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
💡 Tip: Broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra browning, watching carefully to prevent burning. - 9
Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, add a splash of white wine to the meat sauce.
- ✓If you don't have sazón, you can use a pinch of cumin and oregano.
- ✓Ensure the yuca is completely cooked and soft for easy mashing.
🔄 Variations
- Add a layer of sliced hard-boiled eggs between the meat and the top yuca layer.
- Incorporate raisins or capers into the meat filling for added flavor.
- Use shredded chicken instead of ground beef for a different protein option.