Description
These Beef & Cheese Empanadas are a delicious fusion of Latin American flavors, featuring a savory beef and cheese filling encased in a crispy baked dough. Perfect as a main course or appetizer, these hand pies are sure to impress with their rich and comforting taste.
Ingredients
Scale
For the filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 small onion (finely diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
For assembly:
- 1 package (10-count) empanada dough rounds (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Sauté aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion in olive oil until soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Cook the beef: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Season with cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and tomato sauce. Simmer briefly, then let cool slightly and mix in the cheese.
- Assemble the empanadas: Place beef mixture onto empanada dough rounds, fold over, and seal edges with a fork. Brush with beaten egg.
- Bake: Arrange empanadas on the baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Empanadas can be frozen before baking and baked straight from frozen (add 5–7 extra minutes to the baking time).
- Serve with salsa, sour cream, or chimichurri on the side.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American, Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
