Description
These Cheesy Beef Empanadas are savory handheld pastries filled with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, bell peppers, tomato sauce, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfectly baked to golden brown, they make an ideal appetizer or main dish for family meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Dough and Assembly
- 1 (15 ounce) package refrigerated pizza dough
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the empanadas.
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, then drain off any excess grease to keep the filling from becoming too oily.
- Cook the vegetables: Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the skillet and cook until the vegetables soften, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add the sauce and seasonings: Stir in the tomato sauce, drained corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 10 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Prepare the dough: Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto a clean surface and cut it into 12 equal squares, which will form the empanada shells.
- Fill the dough: Place a spoonful of the beef and vegetable mixture in the center of each dough square, then top with some shredded cheddar cheese.
- Form the empanadas: Fold each dough square over the filling to form a triangle shape, then crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
- Apply egg wash: Brush the tops of each empanada with the beaten egg. This will help them turn a beautiful golden brown during baking.
- Bake: Arrange the empanadas on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm, optionally with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor.
Notes
- Make sure to drain excess grease from the cooked beef to prevent soggy empanadas.
- Use refrigerated pizza dough for convenience, but you can substitute with homemade empanada dough if preferred.
- Chopping the vegetables uniformly helps them cook evenly.
- If you want a spicier filling, add jalapeños or extra chili powder.
- Brush the empanadas thoroughly with egg wash to achieve a glossy golden finish.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for the best texture.
