Description
Cheesy Beef Empanadas are a delicious Latin American treat filled with seasoned ground beef and gooey cheese, all encased in a flaky pastry crust. These baked empanadas make for a perfect handheld snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup beef broth or water
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Assembly:
- 1 package (14 oz) refrigerated empanada dough discs (or use homemade dough)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the filling: In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic, then brown the ground beef. Add seasonings, tomato paste, and broth. Let cool slightly, then mix in shredded cheeses.
- Assemble the empanadas: Spoon filling onto dough discs, fold over, seal edges, and crimp with a fork. Brush with beaten egg.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool before serving.
Notes
- You can use ground turkey or chicken as a substitute for beef.
- Enhance the filling with olives, jalapeños, or bell peppers for added flavor.
- Serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole on the side.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
