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Easy Homemade Ground Beef Empanadas

Crispy, cheesy, and flavorful ground beef empanadas made easy with refrigerated pie crust.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Empanada Filling
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/4 onion diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 ounces diced green chiles
  • 4 ounces diced pimento peppers
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
For Assembly
  • 2 refrigerated pie crusts
  • 1 egg whisked (for egg wash)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
  2. Unroll pie crusts on a clean, flat surface. Use a 3-inch round pastry cutter to cut circles from the dough.
  3. In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Stir in onions, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Stir in green chiles, pimento peppers, and tomato paste. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in the cheese.
  5. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture into the center of each pie crust circle. Fold dough over and use a fork to seal the edges.
  6. Arrange empanadas on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with egg wash.
  7. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

To make ahead, assemble and freeze empanadas before baking. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Adjust spice level by adding more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Experiment with other fillings like shredded chicken or sweet fruits.