Puerto Rican FoodPuerto Rican Yuca Casserole with Sofrito Turkey, Pigeon Peas, and Queso del País Crust
An original Puerto Rican-inspired casserole featuring a creamy mashed cassava base enriched with butter, a savory filling of ground turkey simmered in sofrito with pigeon peas, olives, and spices, and a golden crust of queso del país. Comforting, flavorful, and ideal for a family meal.
Ingredients
- 900 g peeled cassava chunks (for hervir and majar)
- 8 g salt (divided)
- 45 g butter (for the yuca)
- 180 ml milk (tibia)
- 450 g ground turkey (preferiblemente muslo or mezcla jugosa)
- 15 ml olive oil (for sofreír)
- 120 g Puerto Rican sofrito (casero or preparado)
- 120 g chopped yellow onion
- 90 g chopped cubanelle pepper
- 12 g minced garlic
- 30 g tomato paste
- 1 g dried oregano
- 1 g ground cumin
- 1 g black pepper (divided)
- 40 g sliced stuffed green olives
- 165 g cooked pigeon peas, drained
- 120 ml chicken broth or water (for the relleno)
- 15 g chopped fresh cilantro
- 170 g grated queso del país (or mezcla of queso semiduro similar)
- 30 g breadcrumbs (for the crust)
- 1 g sweet paprika (for terminar)
- 5 ml olive oil (for engrasar the fuente)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F / 190°C. Lightly grease a baking dish about 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inches) with 1 teaspoon olive oil.
- 2
2. Place the cassava in a large pot, cover with water, and add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to medium heat, and cook for 25 to 30 minutes until very tender. Drain well and remove any tough inner fibers.
- 3
3. While the cassava cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, cubanelle pepper, and garlic. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
- 4
4. Stir in the Puerto Rican sofrito and cook 2 minutes more until fragrant. Add the ground turkey and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink.
- 5
5. Add the tomato paste, dried oregano, ground cumin, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well. Stir in the olives, pigeon peas, and chicken broth or water. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the filling is moist but not watery. Turn off the heat and mix in the fresh cilantro.
- 6
6. Place the hot cassava in a large bowl and mash it with the butter, warm milk, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until thick and rustic. Adjust salt if needed.
- 7
7. Spread half of the mashed cassava in the greased baking dish. Evenly layer the turkey and pigeon pea filling on top. Cover with the remaining cassava and smooth the surface with a spoon.
- 8
8. Combine the grated queso del país with the breadcrumbs and sweet paprika. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
- 9
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 375°F / 190°C until heated through and golden on top. For extra color, broil 2 to 3 additional minutes, watching closely.
- 10
10. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving so the casserole sets and slices more cleanly.
Chef tips
If the cassava feels too dry while mashing, add 1 or 2 extra tablespoons of warm milk. For a crispier crust, lightly drizzle the top with a little olive oil before baking.
Substitutions
You can substitute ground chicken for the ground turkey. If queso del país is unavailable, use a mild semi-firm melting cheese. The cilantro can be replaced with chopped recao for a more traditional flavor profile.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ratings & reviews
Sign in to rate this recipe
Sign inRelated recipes
Creamy Puerto Rican rabbit rice with roasted squash, sweet peppers, and crispy cassava flatbread
90 min
Puerto Rican Sweet Plantain Lasagna with Sofrito Chicken, Spinach, and Queso del País
75 min
Yuca Dumplings Stuffed with Crab in a Mild Coconut and Culantro Sauce
75 min
Braised chicken caldero with green bananas, olives, and toasted recao rice
75 min
Puerto Rican Sweet Potato and Beef Pastelón with Queso del País, Sweet Pepper Sofrito and Crispy Cassava Bread Crumble
85 min
Crab-Stuffed Bacalaito Fritters with Roasted Garlic Aioli and Warm Corn Salad
65 min