Description
These Beef & Cheese Empanadas are a delicious Latin American treat filled with seasoned ground beef, cheese, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect as an appetizer or main course.
Ingredients
Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons water
Assembly:
- 1 package (14 oz) empanada dough discs or 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté onion, garlic, and beef. Season with cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add tomato paste and water, simmer until thickened. Mix in cheese.
- Fill and bake: Place filling on dough discs, fold, seal, crimp edges, brush with egg wash. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
Notes
- You can freeze unbaked empanadas for later—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- For added flavor, try mixing in chopped olives or green chiles.
