Pastelón de Harina de Maíz
The ultimate comfort food, Pastelón de Harina de Maíz combines savory beef with sweet cornmeal in a delightful casserole. This easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner and is sure to impress your family and friends. Try making it tonight!
Equipment
- Frying Pan
- Oven
- Large Pot
- Wooden Spoon
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 4 cups tomato sauce Our recipe, leave it chunky and season with salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Beef filling Or filling of your choice
- 2 cups cornmeal Polenta can also be used
- 2 tablespoons sugar White, granulated
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil Extra oil for greasing the pan
- ½ cup raisins Optional
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese Or mozzarella, or a mix of both
Instructions
- In a large pot, mix in cornmeal, 6 cups of water, sugar, salt, and olive oil. Stir the mixture to combine thoroughly. Allow it to rest for an hour if possible; this helps enhance the flavors and texture.
- After the resting period, place the pot over medium heat. Stir constantly, watching as the mixture begins to thicken. When it reaches a boil, lower the heat and continue stirring until the consistency resembles that of cream cheese and starts to pull away from the sides of the pot. When you achieve this, remove it from the heat.
- Preheat your oven to 300 ºF (145 ºC). Meanwhile, grease a 9" x 9" x 3" (23 cm x 23 cm x 9 cm) baking pan with extra olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Spread half of the cornmeal mixture evenly in the prepared baking pan. This base will hold all the delicious layers together.
- Next, cover the first layer with half of the cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt and mingle with the cornmeal.
- Now, add your beef filling on top of the cheese, spreading it out evenly. This layer adds richness and depth to the dish.
- Follow with the remaining cornmeal mixture, covering the beef completely. This ensures that every bite will contain the wonderful flavors of the casserole.
- Finally, sprinkle the other half of the cheddar cheese over the top. This will create a beautiful, melty crust as it bakes.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake until the top turns golden brown and bubbly, which usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
- Once baked, allow the Pastelón de Harina de Maíz to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish it with the tomato sauce and serve alongside a refreshing green salad, such as baby arugula with an olive oil vinaigrette.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well! To freeze, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It can be kept in the freezer for up to three months.
- Pairing: Serve this casserole with a side of mixed greens or a simple salad to balance the richness of the dish.
- Ingredient variations: Feel free to substitute the beef filling with turkey or a vegetarian option like lentils for a different take.
- Serving size: This recipe is quite filling, so adjust portions depending on your guests' appetite!