Cheesy Ground Beef Empanadas

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 yellow onion (diced)
• 1 jalapeno (seeded and diced (optional))
• 1/2 bell pepper (diced)
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
• 2 refrigerated pie crusts
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

2. 2

   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until browned, crumbling the beef as you go. Add the garlic, onion, jalapeno, and pepper and saute until softened. Drain off any excess oil, then season the beef with salt and pepper to taste.

3. 3

   Stir in the tomato sauce, oregano, paprika, and chili powder and cook until mixture is slightly thickened and heated through, 2-3 minutes. Add additional salt if necessary, then remove from heat.

4. 4

   Roll the pie crusts out on a lightly floured surface or piece of wax paper so that they're slightly larger and thinner than the traditional pie crust. Use a bowl that's about 4-5 inches in diameter to cut circles out of the pie dough. Put about 2 heaping Tablespoons of the beef mixture on one half of each of the circles. Sprinkle with a small handful of cheese. Fold the other half over the beef, then use a fork or crimp to seal the edges. If you're having trouble getting them to stick, put a little water along the edge with your finger.

5. 5

   Gather up any scraps and re-roll and cut circles until no dough remains. You should be able to get 10-11 empanadas. Place all of the empanadas on the sheet pan. Whisk together the egg with a Tablespoon of water and brush the tops of the empanadas. Place in the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden and crisp on the edges.