From: lecremedelacrumb.com
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 (main dish) or 8 (appetizer)
Category: Main Dish / Appetizer
Method: Bake
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
These crispy, cheesy beef empanadas are incredibly easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes. Made with refrigerated pie crust and a savory beef-and-cheese filling, they’re perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or party appetizers. Serve them warm with creamy guacamole for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
- ½ pound ground beef
- ¼ onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (or chipotle chili powder)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces diced green chiles
- 4 ounces diced pimento peppers
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts
- 1 egg, whisked (for egg wash)
- Guacamole, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
- Prepare the dough: Unroll the pie crusts onto a clean surface. Use a 3-inch round cutter to cut circles from the dough. Re-roll scraps if needed to cut additional circles.
- Cook the beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef for 4–6 minutes until fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Season the filling: Stir in the diced onion, cumin, chili powder, salt, green chiles, and pimento peppers. Cook for 2–3 minutes. Add tomato paste and mix well. Stir in the shredded cheese and remove from heat.
- Fill the empanadas: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture into the center of each dough circle.
- Seal: Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape and press the edges with a fork to seal.
- Bake: Arrange empanadas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each with whisked egg. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving with guacamole.
Notes
- Make ahead: Empanadas can be frozen before baking (add about 5 minutes to baking time if baking from frozen) or baked and frozen for later. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
- Make it spicy: Add one finely diced jalapeño to the skillet with the onions and peppers.
- Party perfect: This recipe serves 4 as a main dish or about 8 as an appetizer. Double the recipe to feed a crowd.
Golden, flaky, and packed with bold flavor—these beef empanadas are the kind of easy comfort food that disappears fast, especially when served with creamy guacamole on the side. 🌮✨
