Beef and Cheese Empanadas
Beef and cheese empanadas with irresistible, perfectly seasoned beef filling and cheesy flavor.
Equipment
- Skillet
- Parchment paper
- Oven baking tray
Ingredients
Filling:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 medium onion - finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic - minced
- 1 small bell pepper - diced (red and green, optional)
- 1 tsp of ground cumin
- 1 tsp of smoked paprika
- 1 tsp of turmeric
- ½ tsp of chili powder or cayenne powder
- 1 tsp of black pepper
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup of beef broth or water
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese - or a blend of cheeses like mozzarella and Monterey Jack
- 2 tsp of tomato paste or Sofrito - use sofrito if you want Latin Flavors
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
For Assembly
- 1 egg - beaten (for egg wash)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro - optional for garnish
- Salsa or sour cream for serving - optional
Instructions
Cooking the Beef Filling
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper (if using), and sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, chili powder, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Let the spices cook into the beef for about 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Pour in the beef broth and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until the liquid reduces and the mixture thickens slightly.
- Remove the beef mixture from heat and allow the filling to cool slightly before assembling the empanadas.
Assembling the Empanadas
- Now it's time to bring it all together:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out puff pastry sheets, and using a round cutter (about 4-6 inches in diameter), cut circles.
- Place 1-2 tablespoons of the beef filling in the center of each dough circle. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the beef.
- Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together with your fingers or use a fork to crimp the edges and seal the empanada.
- Transfer the empanadas to the prepared baking sheet. Brush each empanada with the beaten egg to give them a golden, shiny finish when baked.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the empanadas are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Serving and Garnishing
- Serve these delicious beef and cheese empanadas warm with your favorite dipping sauce such as salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. For an added touch, garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro.
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 480mg | Fiber: 2g
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed and personalised calculations.