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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Pastelón de Papa (Beef Casserole with Potato)

    Pastelón de Papa (Beef Casserole with Potato)

    Last Updated: Jul 7, 2021

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    close up of pastelon de papa on a plate

    Creamy, cheesy, and absolutely tasty. This Dominican pastelón de papa is the perfect comfort food. Seasoned ground beef is layered with mashed potato and is a perfect make-ahead dinner for busy nights.

    close up of pastelon de papa on a plate

    This beef casserole with mashed potatoes is as easy as they come. Pastelón de papa is a Latin version of a Shepherd's Pie.

    This dish consists of layered mashed potatoes, ground beef, and cheese.

    Simple and easy to make with a few basic ingredients, this is perfect for make-ahead and freezer meals. It's so hearty and comforting!

    Be sure to check out my Pastelón de Plátano Maduro (Sweet Plantains and Picadillo Casserole) and Baked Ziti Casserole for more easy weeknight dinners.

    pastelon de papa ingredients on a board

    Ingredients

    • Potatoes: I used Russet potatoes for this dish.
    • Butter
    • Milk
    • Olive Oil
    • Vegetables: Red onion, bell pepper and garlic
    • Seasonings: Oregano, salt and pepper
    • Ground Beef: I cook the ground beef using my picadillo recipe.
    • Tomato Sauce
    • Mozzarella and cheddar cheese: I like to use mild cheddar cheese, and full fat mozzarella.
    pastelon de papa preparation process
    pastelon de papa preparation process continue

    How to make pastelón de papa

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a medium pot, boil the potatoes with 1 teaspoon of salt, until tender. Remove potatoes from the pot and using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until they are made puré. Add the butter and milk, and combine well. Set aside.
    • Season the meat with the onion, pepper, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.
    • In a medium pan, heat the oil over medium-hot heat. Add the meat and let cook until brown. Add the tomato sauce and water. Let simmer until all the liquid had evaporated.
    • Lightly spray a glass baking pan with cooking spray. Add a layer of mash potatoes to the bottom of the pan. Then, add a second layer with all the cooked ground beef. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and mild cheddar cheese. Spread another layer of mash potatoes and top with the rest of the cheese.
    • Place in the oven, uncovered, for about 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted.
    two slices of pastelon de papa ready to eat

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you make it ahead of time?

    This casserole can be made ahead and placed in the fridge after been assembled. When ready to eat, simply place in the oven covered for 30 minutes and then uncovered for an additional 15 minutes.

    You can also cook the filling and make the mashed potatoes two to three days ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge until you are ready to assemble.

    Can you freeze it?

    Yes! This is great for freezer meals! I find that it is best to freeze the pastelón de papas before baking it in the oven.

    Let it cool completely, then cover with plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. It will keep well for up to 6 months.

    Thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking as per the instructions in the recipe. Or, you can cook it right from frozen at 360F, covered with foil, for 90 minutes.

    What do you serve it with?

    Honestly, you can totally enjoy this beef casserole by itself, but I also like to serve it with a side of steamed veggies. Green beans, asparagus, and carrots are all great choices.

    taking a piece of pastelon de papa with a fork

    Recipe Notes and Tips

    • I love this casserole with ground beef, but you can also make it with ground lamb, chicken or turkey.
    • Feel free to add in other veggies like carrots or mushrooms if you like.

    More Beef Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Shredded Beef
    • Beef Picadillo
    • Black Beans, Beef and Avocado Quesadillas
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    Pin Recipe

    Mashed Potatoes and Beef Casserole (Pastelón de Papa)

    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time40 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 509kcal
    Print Recipe
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Dominican, Latin
    Author: Vanessa
    4.63 from 8 votes
    One serving of pastelon de papa on a white plate
    Creamy, cheesy and absolutely tasty, this Mashed Potatoes and Beef Casserole is a perfect make ahead dinner for busy nights.

    INGREDIENTS

    • 6-7 large potatoes
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • ¾ cup milk
    • 2 tablespoons canola oil
    • ½ medium red onion , chopped
    • ½ medium green bell pepper , chopped
    • 1 large garlic clove , minced
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 teaspoons salt , divided
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 pound ground beef
    • ½ cup tomato sauce
    • 1 cup of water
    • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
    • 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a medium pot, boil the potatoes with 1 teaspoon of salt, until tender. Remove potatoes from the pot and using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until they are made pure. Add the butter and milk, and combine well. Set aside.
    • Season the meat with the onion, pepper, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.
    • In a medium pan, heat the oil over medium-hot heat. Add the meat and let cook until brown. Add the tomato sauce and water. Let simmer until all the liquid had evaporated.

    To Assemble

    • Lightly spray a glass baking pan with cooking spray. Add a layer of mash potatoes to the bottom of the pan. Then, add a second layer with all the cooked ground beef. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and mild cheddar cheese. Spread another layer of mash potatoes and top with the rest of the cheese.
    • Place in the oven, uncovered, for about 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted.
    • Serve warm.

    NOTES

    • This casserole can be made ahead and placed in the fridge after been assembled. When ready to eat, simply place in the oven covered for 30 minutes and then uncovered for an additional 15 minutes.
    • I love this casserole with ground beef, but you can also make it with ground lamb, chicken or turkey.
    • Feel free to add in other veggies like carrots or mushrooms if you like.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 509kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 1162mg | Potassium: 1248mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 485IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 305mg | Iron: 9mg

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    I’m a working mom, whose love for food led me to start this blog as a resource for other busy parents. I’m passionate about creating quick and easy versions of the recipes I grew up eating to share with busy parents who want to cook foods filled with Latin flavors that don’t take a ton of time to prepare.

    It is my mission to show you that you can make great flavorful dishes at home without spending the entire day in the kitchen.

    Find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Natalie Wisehart Wisehart

      September 24, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      Do you use a 9" x 9" glass pan? I should double the recipe and use a 9" x 18" pan if I want to feed more than 6, right?

      Reply
      • Vanessa

        July 21, 2021 at 6:13 pm

        Yes.

        Reply

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