Beef Cheese Empanadas (Printable View)
Flaky golden pastries filled with seasoned beef, melted cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses.
# Ingredient List:
→ Dough
01 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ½ teaspoon salt
03 - ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
04 - 1 large egg
05 - ⅓ cup cold water
06 - 1 tablespoon white vinegar
→ Filling
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - ½ pound ground beef
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - ½ teaspoon chili powder
14 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
15 - ½ teaspoon salt
16 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
17 - ¼ cup tomato sauce
18 - ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
19 - ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
→ For Assembly
20 - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut in chilled butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in egg, cold water, and vinegar until a dough forms. Knead briefly, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
02 - Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Sauté onion for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking it up, and cook until browned.
03 - Incorporate cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and tomato sauce. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat and allow to cool before stirring in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
04 - Set oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
05 - On a floured surface, roll dough to approximately ⅛-inch thickness. Cut out 5-inch diameter circles using a cutter or a glass.
06 - Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold dough over to create a half-moon shape and crimp the edges with a fork to seal completely.
07 - Arrange filled empanadas on the prepared baking sheet and brush each with beaten egg to enhance browning.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The combination of seasoned beef and melted cheese feels like a comforting hug wrapped in flaky dough
- It’s the perfect snack that impresses without hours in the kitchen
02 -
- Chilling the dough before rolling out is key to achieving those flaky layers everyone loves
- Letting the filling cool before assembling prevents soggy dough and messy sealing
03 -
- If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour gradually to make handling easier without toughening it
- Making the filling a day ahead helps flavors meld and often gives even better taste