1. Classic Beef Empanadas

 

Ingredients

Dough

* 2½ cups all-purpose flour
* ½ cup cold butter, cubed
* 1 egg
* ⅓ cup cold water
* ½ tsp salt

Filling

* 500 g ground beef
* 1 onion, diced
* 1 red bell pepper, diced
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* 1 tsp paprika
* Salt and pepper

Method

1. Mix dough ingredients and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Cook beef, onion, pepper, and garlic until browned.
3. Season and cool.
4. Roll dough, cut circles, fill, and fold.
5. Brush with egg wash.
6. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20–25 minutes.

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2. Spicy Chicken Empanadas

Ingredients

* Empanada dough
* 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
* 1 small onion, diced
* 1 jalapeño, minced
* ½ cup salsa
* 1 tsp cumin
* 1 cup shredded cheese

Method

1. Mix chicken, vegetables, salsa, cumin, and cheese.
2. Fill dough circles.
3. Seal edges with a fork.
4. Bake until golden brown.

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3. Spinach & Cheese Empanadas

Ingredients

* Empanada dough
* 3 cups spinach, chopped
* 1 cup ricotta cheese
* 1 cup mozzarella cheese
* 1 garlic clove, minced

Method

1. Sauté spinach and garlic.
2. Mix with ricotta and mozzarella.
3. Fill dough and seal.
4. Bake for 20–25 minutes.

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4. Cheesy Corn Empanadas

Ingredients

* Empanada dough
* 1½ cups corn kernels
* 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
* ¼ cup diced red onion
* 1 tbsp cilantro

Method

1. Combine all filling ingredients.
2. Fill dough circles.
3. Fold and crimp edges.
4. Bake until golden and crispy.

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5. Mexican Rice & Black Bean Empanadas

Ingredients

* Empanada dough
* 1 cup cooked Mexican rice
* 1 cup black beans
* ½ cup salsa
* ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Method

1. Mix rice, beans, salsa, and cheese.
2. Fill pastry rounds.
3. Seal tightly.
4. Bake until golden.

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6. Shrimp & Vegetable Empanadas

Ingredients

* Empanada dough
* 250 g cooked shrimp, chopped
* ½ red bell pepper, diced
* ¼ onion, diced
* ½ cup shredded cheese
* Juice of ½ lime

Method

1. Combine shrimp, vegetables, cheese, and lime juice.
2. Fill dough circles.
3. Fold and crimp edges.
4. Bake until golden brown.