Delicious Roast Beef Empanadas for Your Next Appetizer Party
As you sit at the dinner table with your family, you can smell the delicious aroma of roast beef empanadas. You take a bite and feel the warm filling melt in your mouth. The crispy dough with the juicy meat and melted cheese make for a satisfying meal. Bringing together the flavors of Argentina and America, this roast beef empanadas recipe is perfect for any occasion.
With its delightful blend of spices including cumin and garlic, this recipe will transport you to the southern hemisphere with every bite. The combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese create a savory and creamy taste that complements the tender meat perfectly. And how can we forget about the salsa? This dish is complete with a colorful and tangy salsa that will bring a burst of flavor to your taste buds.
This recipe is quick and easy to make whether you choose to use store-bought puff pastry or make your own empanada dough filling. Whether it’s served as an appetizer or main course, it’s always a crowd pleaser. So, let me take you on a culinary journey with my roast beef empanadas recipe that will leave your stomach full and your taste buds wanting more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
My dear food lovers, here’s a recipe that is sure to make its way into your heart and your stomach – the Roast Beef Empanadas. These baked beef empanadas are packed with savory and cheesy beef goodness that is perfect for any meal of the day. Trust me, you will love this recipe for its customizable ingredients and its delectable taste.
Firstly, what makes this beef empanadas recipe so special is its versatile ingredients. You can use a variety of meats such as shredded beef, ground beef or roast beef depending on your preferences. Additionally, it has a classic combination of flavors with spices like cumin and minced garlic, which add an aromatic depth to the filling.
Moreover, the combination of cheddar cheese and monterey jack cheese in the filling gives these empanadas an irresistible gooeyness that will have you reaching for more. The dough is flaky with a slight crispness when baked instead of fried, making it much healthier as opposed to traditionally fried empanadas.
Another reason why you will love this recipe is because it can be adapted to suit your preferences. You can add different fillings like cooked vegetables, ham, chicken or fish to create your own fusion of flavors. Furthermore, if you want a shortcut you can use store-bought homemade pie crust or puff pastry dough to save time and effort.
In conclusion, this roast beef empanada recipe is perfect for those who love comfort food with a twist. Whether it’s served as appetizers, lunch or dinner it’s sure to please everyone’s taste buds. With its melt-in-your-mouth cheesy savory meat filling encased in crispy pastry dough it’s hard not to fall in love with these Argentinian-inspired beauties. So go ahead and try my recipe for these delicious baked beef empanadas and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to gather for our Roast Beef Empanadas recipe:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef or shredded roast beef
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup salsa
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 sheets of puff pastry or pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- Egg wash (1 egg whisked with a splash of water)
These ingredients are easily accessible in most grocery stores, and you may already have some of them in your kitchen pantry. Be sure to have everything prepared and at hand before starting the recipe to ensure smooth cooking process.
The Recipe How-To
Are you ready to create some delicious Beef Empanadas? This how-to recipe yields 12 portions of crispy, meaty and cheesy empanadas that are perfect for a quick lunch or a snack. Our empanadas are baked instead of fried, which makes them lighter and healthier while still delivering on the taste. Let’s start!
Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s review the list of ingredients you will need for this recipe:
- 1 lb pre-cooked roast beef or ground beef
- 1 tablespoon of cumin
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 package store-bought puff pastry (or homemade)
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic to the pan and cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add lb ground beef (or shred precooked roast beef) to the skillet with salt, pepper and cumin. Cook until browned through.
- Once the meat is cooked, remove it from heat and let it cool for a few minutes before adding both types of shredded cheese.
- Roll out one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it in half.
- On each piece of cut pastry, put two tablespoons of the meat filling leaving enough space around the edges to fold it over.
- Brush the edges with beaten egg wash using your hands or a cooking brush.
- Fold over, seal the empanadas and use a fork to crimp the edges.
- Repeat with the remaining pastry and meat filling.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or cooking spray and place the empanadas on it leaving some space between them.
- Brush the top of each empanada with beaten egg.
- Place in the oven for around 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes and Tips
- For a more authentic Argentina Empanada, use an Empanada Dough recipe instead of puff pastry.
- Make sure your beef filling is cooled down before adding cheese so that it does not become too oily.
- You can experiment with your own choice of fillings: cheesy beef, meat or any other favorite recipe.
- These Beef Empanadas baked in the oven can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up 3 days.
- If you don’t have puff pastry dough you can make pie crust from scratch using flour, butter, salt and
Substitutions and Variations
My darlings, let me tell you about the exciting substitutions and variations for this Roast Beef Empanadas recipe that will make your taste buds dance with joy! Don’t be afraid to experiment a little with this recipe and make it your own.
Firstly, if roast beef is not your meat of choice or you don’t have it on hand, don’t fret! You can easily substitute it with ground beef or shredded beef, which will give you a hearty and delicious filling. You could also make it meatless by using seasoned black beans or vegetables instead.
If you want to add an extra layer of cheesy goodness, try using a mix of cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese instead of just cheddar. And for my spicy food lovers out there, add a dollop of spicy salsa on top before baking for an extra kick!
For those who are short on time or feeling lazy in the kitchen (we’ve all been there!), store-bought empanada dough or pie crust can be used instead of making your own empanada dough. If you want to try something different altogether, puff pastry works great for creating flaky and buttery empanadas.
Fried empanadas are traditional in Argentina, but if you’re looking for a healthier option, go for oven-baked empanadas using cooking spray on baking sheets. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try experimenting with different empanada fillings like cheesy beef, garlic shrimp or spicy chicken.
My advice is to have fun with this recipe and make it your own by adding your signature touch. Remember, cooking is not just about following recipes – it’s about expressing creativity and exploring new flavors!
Serving and Pairing
Now that you’ve made these delicious beef empanadas, it’s time to decide how you want to serve them. These empanadas are a versatile dish that can be served in countless ways depending on your preference.
One of the most popular ways to enjoy beef empanadas is with a side of fresh salsa or guacamole. The acidity of the salsa pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of the beef and cheese filling. You can even dip the empanadas right into the salsa for an extra pop of flavor.
For a heartier meal, serve the empanadas with a side salad or some roasted vegetables. The crisp greens or roasted veggies will balance out the richness of the filling and provide some fresh, healthy flavors.
If you want to go all out, you can make a full Argentinean-inspired feast by serving your beef empanadas alongside some other classic Argentine dishes. Some options include chimichurri sauce (a tangy herby sauce), asado (grilled meat), or milanesa (breaded beef).
In terms of drink pairings, there are plenty of options to choose from. A red wine like Malbec from Argentina pairs nicely with beef dishes, while a light beer or a refreshing Sangria can be perfect for summer gatherings.
Overall, these tasty baked beef empanadas are perfect for any occasion – whether it’s a casual weekend dinner at home, a potluck party with friends, or even a fancy cocktail party. With so many serving and pairing options available, there’s no doubt that they’ll quickly become one of your go-to recipes!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Ah, my friends! One of the charms of making these roast beef empanadas is that you can actually prepare them ahead of time and enjoy them anytime later on. Yeah, that’s right, you heard me! Who doesn’t love an easy make-ahead recipe?
After assembling the empanadas, place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Before baking them, brush the empanadas with egg wash and cut a few slits on top to allow steam to escape.
You can also freeze these beef empanadas! Simply place the unbaked empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until they are firm. Then transfer them to a zip-top bag or an airtight container and keep in the freezer for up two weeks (though I doubt they’ll last that long!) When ready to bake, just let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight and follow the regular baking instructions.
What about reheating? When heating up previously baked roast beef empanadas, simply pop them into the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes or until they’re heated through. To add some crispness to your food, place the empanadas directly on the baking sheet.
Savor every bite of these golden pastry pockets stuffed with flavorful roasted beef pieces and onion fillings even after a few days of storing or preparing. Trust me; they’ll still taste just as heavenly as when you first made them.
Tips for Perfect Results
The perfect beef empanadas have a golden, crispy crust with a savory filling inside. Achieving that perfect balance between the two depends on a lot of factors, including the ingredients and the baking process. Here are some tips to ensure your beef empanadas turn out perfectly every time.
First, make sure your filling is dry. If the filling is too moist, it can cause the empanadas to become soggy while baking. To avoid this, cook your filling until most of the liquid has evaporated or use paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Second, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before you bake your empanadas. This ensures that the oven is ready to go and that your empanadas will bake evenly.
Third, brush your empanadas with an egg wash before baking them. This will give them a beautiful golden color and a shiny appearance.
Fourth, use cooking spray or parchment paper on your baking sheets to prevent sticking. Be sure to give each empanada enough space on the sheet for proper air circulation.
Fifth, don’t overfill your empanadas. A spoonful of filling should be enough for each one; any more than that can cause them to burst open during baking.
Sixth, make sure to crimp the edges of your empanadas securely so that they don’t come apart during baking.
Seventh, let your baked beef empanadas cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set up and makes them easier to handle.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to making perfectly baked beef empanadas every time!
FAQ
As with any recipe, there may be questions that come up while preparing these mouth-watering Roast Beef Empanadas. Here are some frequently asked questions that I’ve encountered and some tips to ensure your success.
Is it better to fry or bake empanadas?
Empanadas can be cooked in either the oven or fried, with both methods yielding equally delectable results. Opt for the former if you prefer a healthier snack, or the latter if you’re short on time.
Do you brush empanadas with egg or oil?
Achieving a beautiful golden-brown crust on your empanadas is easy with the help of an egg wash. Use it to seal the edges before filling and to brush on the outside once they’re filled. This trick adds a charming touch and enhances the flavor.
How long do you bake empanadas at 350?
To achieve a lovely golden hue on the empanadas, I recommend brushing them with a generous amount of egg wash before placing them in the oven. Bake them for around 25-35 minutes until they are perfectly cooked.
What are empanadas usually filled with?
Empanadas are a delicious treat that resembles mini pies filled with various savory fillings. These scrumptious bites are prepared by folding a sheet of thinly rolled dough over the filling into a crescent shape and sealing the edges. Although the traditional fillings include cod fish or chicken, you can experiment with other fillings to your taste. The dough is typically made from wheat flour, but there are variations that use other types of flour.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Roast Beef Empanadas recipe is sure to delight your taste buds with its flavorful filling and flaky crust. With simple ingredients easily found at any grocery store and easy-to-follow instructions, you can create a homemade meal that is restaurant quality. This recipe allows you to play with different variations, such as substituting roast beef for ground beef or adding in cheeses like cheddar, monterey jack or even swapping the beef for shredded chicken.
Furthermore, the option of baking instead of frying these empanadas make them much healthier as well, without sacrificing any deliciousness. These baked beef empanadas are perfect for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to parties or potlucks. And if you have any leftovers, don’t worry! The empanadas can be stored and reheated for another round of scrumptiousness.
So don’t hesitate to give this recipe a try, and impress your guests or family with these tasty Latin-inspired savory pastries. Perfectly satisfying and cheesy with a little spice by the salsa, Roast Beef Empanadas are sure to leave your guests satisfied while making wonderful memories together around the table.
Roast Beef Empanadas Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups shedded roast beef
- 1 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup roasted red pepper, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 18 inches refrigerated pie crusts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the roast beef, cheeses, salsa, peppers, and cumin. Mix well.
- Roll each pie crust into a 12 inch circle. Divide beef into four equal portions on top of one crust, placing a mound onto each of four quadrants. Top with second crust and use a pizza slicer to cut into four equal wedges. Pinch the edges together to seal and place on the prepared baking sheet. Use a fork to crimp the edges of the pastry. Make a couple small slits in the top of each pastry.
- Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Serve empanadas with sour cream and shredded lettuce if desired.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Dora
Dora is a chef well-versed in Brazilian and American cuisine. After a hard day's work in the kitchen of her restaurant, she finds the time to jot down recipes for her food blog. Her recipes are sure to delight foodies everywhere, as she strives to make each one unique and enjoyable to read.