Description
Savory Mexican “Beef & Cheese Empanadas” blend zesty spices with lean ground beef and melted cheese in a golden, flaky pastry. Quick homemade comfort delivers authentic Latin flavors you’ll crave with every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 cup (120 grams) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Whole wheat empanada dough (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 400F (200C) to prepare for baking the empanadas.
- Sauté ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, combining with diced onions and bell peppers until meat turns brown and vegetables soften.
- Remove excess grease from the meat mixture, ensuring a clean, lean filling.
- Enhance the beef mixture by incorporating garlic powder, smoked paprika, and shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese melts completely.
- Roll out whole wheat dough and create uniform circular shapes using a cutting tool.
- Distribute beef and cheese mixture centrally on each dough circle, leaving space around the edges.
- Carefully fold dough over the filling, creating a half-moon shape, and crimp edges firmly with a fork to seal completely.
- Arrange empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch each other.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until the exterior turns golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving to allow filling to set.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter protein option that keeps the empanadas diet-friendly.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles and keep the recipe exciting.
- Add extra nutrition by incorporating finely chopped spinach or kale into the beef mixture for a hidden vegetable boost that kids and adults will enjoy.
- Use egg wash or a light brushing of olive oil before baking to enhance the golden-brown color and create a crispy, glossy exterior on the empanadas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg