Beef and Cheese Empanadas

Beef and Cheese Empanadas are a delicious and savory hand-held snack or meal that combines flavorful seasoned ground beef with a gooey, melted cheese filling, all wrapped in a crispy pastry shell. These empanadas are perfect for parties, gatherings, or a simple weeknight dinner.

Why Make This Recipe

Making Beef and Cheese Empanadas at home allows you to customize the filling to your preference and enjoy a fresh, homemade version of this popular Latin American dish. The combination of seasoned beef and melted cheese provides a satisfying and comforting flavor that everyone will love.

How to Make Beef and Cheese Empanadas

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno, seeds and stem removed, diced
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama® seasoning
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
• 11.6 ounces 5” empanada dough (such as Goya)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions:

Preheat the Oven:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F to ensure it’s ready for baking the empanadas later.

Prepare the Meat Mixture:

2. Cook Meat and Vegetables: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and diced jalapeno until the beef is browned and the vegetables are soft.
3. Add Seasonings and Sauce: Add the minced garlic, ground cumin, Slap Ya Mama® seasoning, black pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, and chili powder. Cook for another minute.
4. Simmer: Stir in the tomato sauce and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes until the flavors meld together. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Prepare the Egg Wash:

5. Make Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash.

Assemble the Empanadas:

6. Fill Dough Rounds: Lay out the empanada dough rounds. Place a small amount of shredded cheddar and Pepper Jack cheese in the center of each round. Add a spoonful of the meat mixture, then top with a bit more cheese.
7. Fold and Seal: Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together, then crimp with a fork to seal.

Bake the Empanadas:

8. Brush with Egg Wash: Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the egg wash.
9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Serve and Enjoy:

10. Cool and Serve: Let the empanadas cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them as a snack or with your favorite dipping sauce.

How to Serve Beef and Cheese Empanadas

Serve these Beef and Cheese Empanadas warm, either as a tasty appetizer, part of a party spread, or as a satisfying main course. They pair well with salsa, guacamole, or a creamy dip.

How to Store Beef and Cheese Empanadas

Store any leftover empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or toaster oven to maintain their crispiness.

Tips to Make Beef and Cheese Empanadas

• Seal Well: Ensure the empanadas are sealed well to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.
• Experiment with Cheese: Experiment with different cheese blends for varying flavors and textures.
• Adjust Spice Level: Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of jalapeno or red pepper flakes to suit your taste preferences.

Variation

For a lighter version, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. You can also add diced bell peppers or corn to the filling for extra color and flavor.

Beef and Cheese Empanadas

Author: Maria Courses: Dinner, Lunch

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time

Servings: 8 Calories: 300

Best Season: All year round

Description

Enjoy the delicious flavors of seasoned ground beef and gooey melted cheese wrapped in a crispy pastry shell with this homemade Beef and Cheese Empanadas recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

Empanada Filling

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno, diced (seeds and stem removed)
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama® seasoning
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon chili powder
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
• 11.6 ounces 5” empanada dough (such as Goya)

Egg Wash

• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

   Preheat your oven to 425°F.
   Mark as complete

2. Prepare the Meat Mixture

   Cook ground beef, onion, jalapeno, and seasonings in a skillet. Add garlic and tomato sauce.
   Mark as complete

3. Prepare the Egg Wash

   Whisk together egg and water in a small bowl for egg wash.
   Mark as complete

4. Assemble the Empanadas

   Fill empanada dough rounds with cheese, meat mixture, and more cheese. Fold, seal, and crimp edges with a fork.
   Mark as complete

5. Bake the Empanadas

   Brush tops with egg wash and bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.
   Mark as complete

6. Serve and Enjoy

   Let the empanadas cool slightly before serving. Enjoy as a snack or with your favorite dipping sauce.
   Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 350kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 20g31%

Saturated Fat 10g50%

Cholesterol 80mg27%

Sodium 500mg21%

Total Carbohydrate 25g9%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%

Sugars 3g

Protein 15g30%

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Vitamin A 6 IU

Vitamin C 8 mg

Calcium 20 mg

Iron 10 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: Beef and cheese empanadas, homemade empanadas, Latin American dish, hand-held snack