Description
These Beef & Cheese Empanadas are a delicious Latin American treat that combines savory ground beef, melted cheese, and flavorful spices, all wrapped in a flaky empanada dough. Perfect for appetizers or a hearty snack!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 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 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
For Assembly:
- 1 package (14 oz) empanada dough discs (or homemade)
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, cook onion in olive oil until soft. Add garlic, ground beef, and spices, then simmer with tomato sauce. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro and cheese. Let cool.
- Assemble Empanadas: Spoon filling onto empanada discs, fold in half, and seal edges with a fork. Brush with egg wash.
- Bake: Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
- Empanadas can be frozen before baking—adjust baking time if baking from frozen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
