Beef & Cheese Empanadas — such a delicious hand-held treat! Here’s a recipe for golden, flaky empanadas stuffed with savory beef and melty cheese. Perfect for snacks, parties, or anytime cravings hit.
🥟 Beef & Cheese Empanadas
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Makes: About 12 empanadas
📝 Ingredients:
For the Dough (or use store-bought empanada or pie dough):
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- ⅔ cup cold water (more if needed)
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
For the Filling:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp chili powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped green olives or roasted red peppers for extra flavor
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Make the Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk flour and salt.
- Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Slowly add cold water, mixing until dough comes together. Add more water if dry.
- Form dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Filling:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onions and garlic until softened (~3 minutes).
- Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Stir in shredded cheese (and olives or peppers if using).
3. Assemble Empanadas:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick.
- Cut into 4–5 inch circles using a bowl or cutter.
- Spoon about 2 tbsp filling onto one half of each circle.
- Fold dough over and press edges with a fork to seal.
- Brush tops with beaten egg for shine.
4. Bake:
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
✅ Tips:
- For extra crispiness, chill assembled empanadas before baking.
- Try frying instead of baking for a traditional crispy empanada.
- Freeze uncooked empanadas for up to 2 months — bake straight from frozen, adding extra cook time.