Giant, delicious Beef Empanadas featuring a flavorful and savory filling inside a tenderly flaky crust. What's even better is that this recipe is so easy!
Prep Time45 minutesmins
Cook Time35 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr20 minutesmins
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef, empanadas
Servings: 4
Calories: 240kcal
Ingredients
1poundlean ground beef
1cuponionchopped
1cupgreen pepperchopped
1can14.5oz Diced Tomatoes, undrained
1Tablespoonchili powder
1teaspoonground cumin
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonpepper
2cupsof grated cheddar cheese
2refrigerated ready made pie crustsKaren uses Pillsbury
1egg yolk mixed with 1 Tablespoon waterOptional
Instructions
Cook beef, onions & green pepper in skillet until meat is no longer pink; drain.
Return beef mixture to skillet and stir in tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, & pepper.
Simmer uncovered stirring occasionally for 20-25 minutes until mixture thickens and most of tomato juice is absorbed.
Place one unrolled pie crust at one end of greased cookie sheet. (If baking both giant empanadas on same cookie sheet think ahead about placement. Once beef is added you can not move empanada) Place half of beef mixture on half of pastry (like half moon shape ‘D’ ) leaving one inch border around edges. Sprinkle with about ½ of cheese (careful not to over fill with either beef or cheese)
Carefully pull remaining dough over, covering meat and cheese meeting the edge of bottom crusts. Crimp edges with fork to seal all around.
Brush top with yolk mixture. (You should have a half moon shape) Repeat above with remaining pastry.
Bake at 400 for 20 – 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole.
Notes
Notes: I rub a little water with my fingers around border of pastry. This will help the dough seal together, then crimp with fork. I caution about planning ahead on the positioning of dough on pan…you can’t move it once filled! Also don’t overfill or pastry will break. Pull dough slowly to try and slightly stretch it as you go over. To help with this you can roll dough a little bigger with rolling pin prior to placement.