Pastelón de Yuca (Cheesy Yuca Casserole)

Ground chicken scented with onion and paprika sits between creamy layers of mashed yuca in this beloved Dominican dish that can be customized with your favorite protein. Serve with a generous side of vegetables for a complete meal.

Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
6

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ pounds yuca, peeled and chopped into 2-inch chunks

  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten

  • ½ cup whole milk

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • ½ red bell pepper, finely chopped

  • ½ small yellow onion, finely chopped

  • 12 ounces ground chicken

  • ½ lemon, juiced

  • ½ teaspoon paprika

  • 1 cup marinara sauce

  • ¾ teaspoon salt

  • ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

  2. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add yuca, cover and cook until completely tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Drain and remove any fibrous strings from the yuca. Mash with a potato masher until lump-free, then stir in egg and milk until completely creamy and smooth.

  3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pepper and onion; cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken, lemon juice and paprika; cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add marinara and salt and cook until warmed through, about 3 minutes.

  4. Layer half of the yuca mash in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add the chicken mixture and top with 1/4 cup Cheddar and 1/4 cup mozzarella. Evenly top with the remaining yuca mash and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup each Cheddar and mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden, about 30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting into 6 pieces.

    pastelon de yuca
    Ali Redmond

To make ahead

Refrigerate cooked chicken (Step 3) in an airtight container for up to 1 day.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

432 Calories
15g Fat
57g Carbs
19g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 piece
Calories 432
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 57g 21%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 19g 38%
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 98mg 33%
Vitamin A 967IU 19%
Vitamin C 42mg 47%
Vitamin D 21IU 5%
Vitamin E 2mg 13%
Folate 58mcg 15%
Vitamin K 10mcg 8%
Sodium 681mg 30%
Calcium 199mg 15%
Iron 1mg 6%
Magnesium 58mg 14%
Potassium 895mg 19%
Zinc 2mg 18%
Vitamin B12 1mcg 42%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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