MediumMade with care. Brazilian · Saucepan, frying pan and oven
Beef escondidinho
Soft cassava mash surrounds ground beef with tomato. A dish that goes straight from the oven to the center of the table.
What we'll need
- 800 g peeled sweet cassava
- 180 ml milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 400 g ground beef
- 1 piece onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 piece tomato
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 100 g grated mozzarella
- 1 teaspoon salt
1 cup = 240 ml. Measurements follow the original recipe.
Serves 4 people.
Contains: Milk.
Here's how it's done.
Cook the cassava.
Cut cassava into pieces. Cover with water in a regular saucepan, add half the salt and boil for 30 to 40 minutes, until a fork passes through easily. Drain and discard the water.
Make a smooth mash.
Remove the central fiber from cooked cassava. Mash while hot, gradually add butter and milk and stir until creamy. Preheat the oven to 220 °C.
Prepare the filling.
Heat olive oil in a frying pan. Sauté chopped onion and garlic, add beef and break up clumps. Cook fully. Add chopped tomato and the remaining salt; cook off excess liquid.
Build the layers.
Spread half the mash in a dish about 20 × 25 cm. Cover with beef. Spoon the remaining mash on top, smooth it and finish with mozzarella.
Brown and serve.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until cheese melts and browns. Remove with oven mitts and wait a few minutes before serving.
About this recipe and its sources
We combine cassava mash with a ground beef filling. The sources also use dried beef or arracacha; the ingredients and method here are specific to this version.
Recipe adapted by Ponto. Sources checked on 17/09/2026 :
Times are approximate. AI generated images illustrate the steps; check quantities in the ingredient list.