Description
Beef cheese empanadas recipe brings together seasoned ground beef and melted cheese wrapped in golden, flaky pastry pockets that make the perfect handheld meal or party snack. The savory filling and crispy exterior create an easy favorite for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 package empanada dough
Aromatics and Spices:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Finishing:
- 1 egg, for egg wash
Instructions
- Warm your oven to a precise 375°F (190°C), creating the perfect environment for golden, crispy empanadas.
- Grab a skillet and cook 1 lb ground beef over medium heat until it transforms into rich, crumbly brown pieces.
- Toss in 1 finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon each of cumin and paprika into the skillet, along with a pinch of salt and pepper to elevate the meat’s flavor profile.
- Remove the skillet from heat and let your beef mixture cool down for 5-7 minutes to prevent melting the cheese.
- Fold in 1 cup of shredded cheese, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the meat mixture.
- Roll out your empanada dough and cut precise 4-inch circles using a round cookie cutter or drinking glass.
- Place a generous tablespoon of beef mixture right in the center of each dough circle, leaving room for sealing.
- Carefully fold the dough over, creating a half-moon shape, and press the edges firmly with a fork to create a tight seal.
- Whisk 1 egg and gently brush the tops of each empanada to give them a beautiful golden sheen.
- Transfer empanadas to a baking sheet and slide into the preheated oven.
- Bake for exactly 22-25 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown and the dough becomes wonderfully crisp.
Notes
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before rolling helps create a flakier, more tender crust that won’t tear when you’re filling and sealing the empanadas.
- Drain excess fat from the beef after browning to prevent soggy empanadas and ensure a crisp, clean texture.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or queso fresco to add unique flavor profiles to your filling.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional wheat dough with almond flour or gluten-free pastry dough to make the recipe accessible to more dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Beef
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 to 6
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg