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Cheesy Ground Beef Empanadas

10 Reasons You’ll Love These Cheesy Ground Beef Empanadas


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  • Author: Lise
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 810 empanadas 1x

Description

Empanadas are the ultimate comfort food: crispy, golden pastry filled with savory, cheesy goodness. Perfect for a quick family dinner, party, or indulgent snack. This foolproof recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with a flaky crust and flavorful beef-and-cheese filling.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Filling:

  • 1 lb ground beef (choose lean beef to avoid excessive grease)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped (adds sweetness and texture)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (for aromatic depth)
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cumin (a warm, earthy spice)
  • 1 ½ tsp garlic salt (for seasoning)
  • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (like Slap Ya Mama® for a bold kick)
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp oregano (adds a hint of herbal freshness)
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • ¼ tsp chili powder
  • 8 oz can tomato sauce (for a tangy base)
  • 1 Tbsp diced jalapeños (optional, for extra spice)
  • ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated

For the Dough:

  • 2 boxes Pillsbury™ Refrigerated Pie Crust (or homemade empanada dough)
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • 1 Tbsp water

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Cook the Beef Filling:
    • In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic until beef is browned.
    • Drain excess grease.
    • Add cumin, garlic salt, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, and chili powder. Stir well.
  1. Simmer the Mixture:
    • Add tomato sauce and diced jalapeños (optional).
    • Simmer for 15 minutes until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  1. Prepare the Dough:
    • Lightly flour a work surface. Unroll pie crusts and use a 4-inch cutter to make dough rounds.
    • Gather scraps, re-roll, and cut to get 8–10 circles.
  1. Assemble the Empanadas:
    • Brush edges of dough with water.
    • Add ¼ cup filling and sprinkle with cheeses.
    • Fold into a half-moon shape and seal edges with a fork.
  1. Add the Egg Wash:
    • Whisk together egg and water.
    • Brush the tops of the empanadas with the mixture.
  1. Bake to Perfection:
    • Arrange empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
    • Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Pro Tip: Keep dough cool during assembly. Chill for 10 minutes if it becomes sticky.
  • Air Fryer Option: Bake in an air fryer at 375°F for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snack, Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 empanada
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 540mg
  • Fat: 16g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 11g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg