Pastel de Choclo (Chile)

An authentic recipe for traditional Chilean Pastel de Choclo, highlighting the signature contrast between savory spiced ground meat and sweet corn crust.

Level Medium Prep 40 min Cook 50 min Servings 6 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

90 min

Makes 6 servings

Prep 40m

Cook 50m

Level Medium

About this recipe

An authentic recipe for traditional Chilean Pastel de Choclo, highlighting the signature contrast between savory spiced ground meat and sweet corn crust.

Chile's iconic corn pie casserole featuring seasoned beef, chicken, eggs, olives, and a sweet basil-infused corn topping.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a skillet, sauté the diced onions until translucent. Add the ground beef, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper, cooking until the beef is fully browned.
Grease a large baking dish or individual clay paila dishes and spoon the cooked beef mixture into the bottom.
Layer the shredded chicken, hard-boiled egg slices, black olives, and drained raisins evenly over the beef filling.
Blend the corn kernels and fresh basil until coarse-pureed. Transfer to a pot with butter, milk, sugar, and salt, simmering for 10 minutes until thickened slightly.
Pour the corn paste mixture over the meat and filling layers, smoothing the top.
Sprinkle the top with granulated sugar to create a caramelized crust when baked.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until the corn topping is golden brown and bubbling around the edges.
35 min

Nutrition

Calories 480

Protein 26g

Carbs 54g

Fat 19g

Fiber 6g

Sugar 14g

Sodium 520mg

Serving Size 1 serving

Cooking Timeline

Prep 40 min

Cook 50 min

Total 90 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.4 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Taste 9.7
Presentation 9.5
Nutrition 8.0
Value 9.0
Instructions 9.3
Ingredients 9.2
Time Accuracy 9.0
Difficulty 7.5
Would Make Again 9.2

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

An incredible sweet-and-savory Chilean masterpiece that blends spiced beef, tender chicken, and sweet corn crust.

Pros

Unique sweet and savory contrast
Hearty and comforting
Rich cultural tradition

Cons

Requires multiple preparation steps

Overview

Chile's iconic corn pie casserole featuring seasoned beef, chicken, eggs, olives, and a sweet basil-infused corn topping.

AI Insights

Summary

An authentic recipe for traditional Chilean Pastel de Choclo, highlighting the signature contrast between savory spiced ground meat and sweet corn crust.

Tips

Don't skip the fresh basil when blending the corn; it adds an essential traditional aroma
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking so it sets before serving
Serve hot with a side of Chilean pebre (spicy salsa) for a balanced flavor profile