Homemade Beef And Cheese Empanadas
These savory hand pies are filled with seasoned ground beef, aromatic spices, and a blend of cheeses, all wrapped in a golden, flaky crust that’s sure to satisfy any craving.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 ½ tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning like Slap Ya Mama®
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- 1 can tomato sauce 8 oz
- 1 tbsp diced jalapeños optional
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese grated
- 2 boxes refrigerated pie crust like Pillsbury™
- 1 egg
- Flour for dusting
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
- Add cumin, garlic salt, Cajun seasoning, pepper, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and chili powder to the beef mixture.
- Stir in tomato sauce and diced jalapeños. Simmer for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly flour a surface, then unroll the pie crusts.
- Use a 4-inch bowl as a cutter to make circles. Each crust yields about 4 circles.
- Moisten the edges of each dough circle with water.
- Place a bit of grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese in the center, then top with about ¼ cup of the beef mixture.
- Fold the dough over into a half-moon shape and press the edges with a fork to seal. Place on a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 Tbsp water. Brush the tops of each empanada with this egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake the empanadas for 15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown.