These Beef & Cheese Empanadas are golden, flaky pastries stuffed with flavorful ground beef, melted cheese, and savory spices. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or even a quick meal!
Author:Laura
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:12 empanadas 1x
Category:Appetizer
Method:baking
Cuisine:latin
Ingredients
Scale
1 tablespoon olive oil 🫒
1 lb ground beef 🍖
1 small onion, finely chopped 🧅
1 clove garlic, minced 🧄
1 teaspoon cumin 🌿
1/2 teaspoon paprika 🌶️
Salt and pepper to taste 🧂
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella) 🧀
1 package empanada dough (store-bought or homemade) 🥟
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 🥚
Instructions
Prepare the Filling:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and ground beef, cooking until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
Season the Beef:
Stir in the cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove the beef mixture from heat and let it cool slightly. Once cooled, mix in the shredded cheese.
Assemble the Empanadas:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the empanada dough (if using homemade) and cut into circles. Place a spoonful of the beef and cheese filling in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
Egg Wash and Bake:
Brush the top of each empanada with the beaten egg for a golden finish. Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake:
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown and crispy.
Serve:
Enjoy warm with your favorite dipping sauce!
Notes
You can use any type of shredded cheese you like, but cheddar and mozzarella are the most common for this recipe.
If you want to make the dough from scratch, be sure to make it ahead of time to allow it to rest.