[recipe] Pastelón De Arroz (cheesy Beef And Rice Casserole)

3 tablespoons salted butter ((salted) plus extra to grease pan)

1½ tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 cups evaporated milk (or whole milk)

2 cups shredded mozzarella ((divided))

6 cups cooked white rice ( (arroz blanco per our recipe) the rice is measured cooked.)

1½ cups minced spinach (blanched, or frozen (thawed beforehand))

Filling (per suggestions above the recipe)

2 cups tomato sauce ((our recipe) warm, leave unblended (chunky), and season with salt and pepper to taste. )

In a skillet heat the butter over low heat. Add the flour and stir vigorously until the two are well mixed and the flour has turned a bit more translucent.Add the milk and stir vigorously until it reaches a uniform consistency. Add ⅓ of the cheese and keep stirring until it becomes a thick cream.Remove from the heat and set aside.
Grease the baking pan, and heat up the oven to 350 °F [175 ºC].
Mix half the rice with half the cheese sauce and the spinach. Mix the other half of the rice with the remaining cheese sauce.Layer the rice mixed with the white sauce on the pan. Press down. Cover with the meat and top with the rice with the spinach. Press down. Layer with the remaining cheese.
Bake until the top starts browning. Remove from the oven.
Serve with the tomato sauce on the side.

Course🍽️Main Course

Diets🥜Nut-free🍬Low-sugar...

Category🥘Casserole

CuisineLatin American

Occasions🍲Comfort Food👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Family Gathering

Season🔁Year-round

DifficultyMedium ⏰ 1h