Pastel de Yuca

Ingredients

Yuca (cassava)

2 pounds, peeled and cut into chunks

Ground beef

1 pound

Onion

1 medium, finely chopped

Garlic

3 cloves, minced

Tomato

1 medium, diced

Cumin

1 teaspoon

Salt

to taste

Black pepper

to taste

Unsalted butter

4 tablespoons, divided

Mozzarella cheese

2 cups, shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the yuca chunks and cook until they are tender, about 20-25 minutes. Drain and mash until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps.
3. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in the diced tomato, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. Grease a baking dish with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Spread half of the mashed yuca in an even layer at the bottom of the dish.
6. Layer the beef mixture evenly over the mashed yuca, followed by the remaining mashed yuca on top.
7. Dot the top of the casserole with the remaining butter and sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow to cool slightly before serving.