Description
Bite into golden, crispy Delicious Empanadas filled with seasoned ground beef, melty cheddar cheese, and savory spices — the ultimate comfort food you can hold in your hand. This easy recipe is perfect for a quick dinner, party appetizer, or make-ahead freezer meal. Whether you’re craving an easy recipe, flavorful snack, or hearty lunch, these empanadas deliver big flavor with minimal effort. A go-to for busy families and home cooks seeking new dinner ideas, quick meal prep, or fun food ideas that everyone will love.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 pie crusts or puff pastry sheets
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned.
2. Add the chopped onions and cook until softened.
3. Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, and cumin. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
5. Stir shredded cheddar cheese into the cooled beef mixture.
6. Roll out the pie crust or puff pastry and cut into 4–6 inch circles.
7. Place 1–2 tablespoons of filling in each circle.
8. Fold into half-moons and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
9. Brush tops with beaten egg.
10. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
11. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra crispy crust, chill empanadas for 10 minutes before baking.
Don’t overfill — a tablespoon or two of filling is plenty for sealing properly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 empanadas
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: easy dinner, empanada recipe, beef empanadas, food ideas, party food, quick meal