Beef and Cheese Empanadas (Printable)
Flaky pastry pockets stuffed with seasoned beef, cheddar, mozzarella, and subtle spices.
# Ingredient List:
→ Filling
01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 9 ounces ground beef
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon chili powder
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
11 - 2 tablespoons water
12 - 2 ounces green olives, chopped (optional)
13 - 2.5 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 2.5 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Pastry
15 - 2 sheets ready-made puff pastry (about 1 pound total), thawed
→ Assembly
16 - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until softened, approximately 3 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Add tomato paste and water, cook for 2 minutes until mixture is combined and slightly thickened.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Fold in chopped green olives if using, shredded cheddar, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Allow filling to cool slightly.
06 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry sheets and cut 12 circles approximately 4 inches in diameter.
07 - Place one heaping tablespoon of filling in the center of each pastry circle. Fold over to form a half-moon shape and press edges to seal. Crimp edges firmly with a fork.
08 - Arrange empanadas on the lined baking sheet and brush the tops with beaten egg.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until pastry is golden and puffed.
10 - Allow empanadas to cool slightly before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The crispy, golden pastry hides a warm, savory filling that feels like a delicious little secret between friends
- The balance of spices and cheeses makes every bite a comforting yet exciting experience that quickly becomes your go-to snack
02 -
- It's crucial not to overfill the pastry circles or they might burst open while baking, making a mess but more importantly, losing that perfect shape
- Using a mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses was a game changer, creating the ideal balance of flavor and texture in the filling
03 -
- Use cold butter in puff pastry if making from scratch to achieve maximum flakiness
- Brushing the edges with egg wash before sealing helps the empanadas hold their shape and adds a golden finish