Golden Handheld Pies Filled With Savory Goodness
Looking for the ultimate crowd-pleasing snack or a quick weeknight dinner that feels like a special occasion? These Beef and Cheese Empanadas are the perfect solution! Combining perfectly seasoned ground beef with gooey, melted cheese inside a flaky, buttery crust, these handheld delights are pure comfort food. Whether you are hosting a festive party or just need an easy freezer-friendly meal for busy evenings, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Get ready to experience the perfect crunch in every bite that will have your family asking for seconds!
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 12 empanadas
📝 Ingredients List
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 12 pre-made empanada dough discs
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Pastry brush
- Fork (for crimping edges)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat vegetable oil in your skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent and soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. 🧅
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Season: Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to let the spices toast slightly, then remove from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.
- Assemble: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay out your dough discs. Place a tablespoon of the beef mixture in the center and top with a sprinkle of cheese.
- Seal: Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape. Use a fork to crimp the edges tightly to ensure no cheese leaks out. 🥟
- Bake: Arrange empanadas on the baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and flaky! ✨
💡 Pro Tips Section
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven for the best texture.
- Freezing: These freeze beautifully before baking. Flash freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 5 minutes to the cook time.
- Substitutions: If you want to switch things up, use ground chicken or finely diced venison roast as a protein swap.
Variations
Add depth to your filling by stirring in finely chopped green olives or raisins for a classic sweet and savory profile. You can also mix in some chopped cilantro or pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick.
FAQ
Can I fry these instead of baking them? Yes! You can deep-fry them in hot oil at 350°F for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden.
What kind of dough should I use? Store-bought pre-made empanada discs are the ultimate time-saver, but you can use puff pastry in a pinch for a lighter, flakier texture.
Print
Beef and Cheese Empanadas
- Total Time: 45
- Yield: 12 empanadas 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
These Beef and Cheese Empanadas are the ultimate crowd-pleasing snack or a quick weeknight dinner. They feature perfectly seasoned ground beef and gooey, melted cheese tucked into a flaky, buttery crust. These handheld delights are pure comfort food—easy to prepare, freezer-friendly, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you are hosting a party or just looking for a delicious meal the whole family will love, these empanadas deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
12 pre-made empanada dough discs
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté onions until soft.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add ground beef, cook until browned, and drain excess fat.
Stir in cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper; cook for 2 minutes then cool for 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Place a tablespoon of beef and a sprinkle of cheese in the center of each dough disc.
Fold into a half-moon and crimp edges with a fork to seal.
Brush tops with egg wash.
Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 65mg