Easy Beef Empanadas
Ingredients
- 1 package of pre-made pie crust
2 rolls
- 1 pound of lean ground beef - I use 90% lean
however 80% or less will work - just drain off the excess fat before continuing.
- 1/4 cup diced yellow onion
- 1/2 medium diced bell pepper
any color
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup Mexican blended cheese
- 1 egg
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350*F
- 2
Prepare a cookie sheet with a baking mat, non-stick foil, parchment paper or oil. Set aside.
- 3
In a large skillet cook ground beef, onions and bell pepper until beef is cooked through, onions are translucent and peppers are soft.
- 4
Drain any excess fat.
- 5
Add cumin, garlic, salt, pepper, and chili powder to ground beef mixture and cook for 2 minutes.
- 6
Remove from hot burner.
- 7
Roll out pie crusts. Using a bowl similar to a cereal bowl, trace circles onto each pie crust. I can get 3 per crust. A smaller bowl will result in more circles.
- 8
With leftover pie crust, mix together and roll out and continue cutting circles, until all dough is used. I can get 8 total.
- 9
Lay a pie crust circle down. on prepared cookie sheet. Add 2 - 3 Tablespoons of filling to the middle of the circle. Top with 1 Tablespoon a cheese.
- 10
Fold pie crust circle in half, keeping the filling inside, and press edges down with a fork.
- 11
Repeat steps 9 and 10 for all empanadas.
- 12
Arrange empanadas on cookie sheet.
- 13
Beat egg in a small bowl and brush on top of each empanada.
- 14
Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until tops are golden.
- 15
Remove from oven and serve with your favorite salads, salsas and guacamole.
Easy Beef Empanadas
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About this Recipe
Dreaming of savory, handheld treats but short on time? These Easy Beef Empanadas deliver homemade comfort in just 30 minutes, perfect for any weeknight dinner where you crave something satisfying and flavorful without the fuss.
The magic behind these empanadas lies in using convenient pre-made pie crusts, saving you significant time without sacrificing that desirable flaky texture. Combined with a robustly seasoned ground beef filling, they offer deep, comforting flavors that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, making them a true weeknight hero.
You'll bite into a golden-brown, flaky crust that gives way to a juicy, savory filling of seasoned ground beef, tender diced onion, and bell pepper, all melded with gooey, melted Mexican blended cheese. The blend of cumin, chili powder, and garlic infuses the beef with an aromatic warmth that's incredibly satisfying, making each empanada a hearty and flavorful experience. Despite their impressive taste, they are surprisingly simple to prepare, making them a fantastic addition to your quick dinner repertoire.
While lean ground beef is fantastic here, you can easily adapt the filling to your preferences. For a milder flavor, reduce the chili powder, or if bell pepper isn't a favorite, it can be omitted. Don't have Mexican blended cheese? Sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack would also work beautifully, adding a different but equally delicious cheesy note.
These delicious beef empanadas are ideal for a casual family dinner, a party appetizer, or even packed for a portable lunch. Serve them with a simple green salad or your favorite dipping sauce for an even more complete meal.