Description
These Beef & Cheese Empanadas are a delicious Latin American appetizer perfect for any occasion. Savory ground beef, spices, and cheese are enveloped in a flaky empanada dough and baked until golden brown. Serve these hand pies warm with salsa, sour cream, or chimichurri for a flavorful snack or meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 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 empanada dough discs (10-count, thawed if frozen)
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the Filling: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds more. Add ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and tomato sauce. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir in shredded cheese.
- Assemble the Empanadas: Spoon about 1–2 tablespoons of the beef mixture into the center of each empanada disc. Fold over to form a half-moon shape and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
- Bake: Place on prepared baking sheet and brush with egg wash. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve: Serve warm.
Notes
- These can be made ahead and frozen before baking.
- Reheat baked empanadas in the oven for best texture.
- Serve with salsa, sour cream, or chimichurri for dipping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
