Empanadas with Chili Cheese Sauce

Take your taste buds on a flavorful adventure with these golden, flaky empanadas paired with a rich and zesty chili cheese sauce. This recipe combines a buttery homemade pastry dough with a savory ground beef and black bean filling spiced with cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. The empanadas bake to perfection with a crispy, golden crust, thanks to a delicate egg wash. Meanwhile, the creamy chili cheese sauce, made with sharp cheddar, diced green chilies, and a touch of spice, serves as the ultimate accompaniment for dipping or drizzling. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or crowd-pleasing party favorite, these empanadas are sure to impress with their bold flavors and irresistible textures. Ready to elevate your snack game? Dive into this fun, comforting recipe today!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 cups All-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.75 cup Cold water
• 1 pound Ground beef
• 1 medium Onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 Egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter (for sauce)
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour (for sauce)
• 1.5 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese (for sauce)
• 0.25 cup Diced green chilies
• 0.5 teaspoon Chili powder (for sauce)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt (for sauce)
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (for sauce)

Directions

Step 1

To make the dough, combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 2

Gradually add the cold water, mixing with a fork until the dough comes together. Knead briefly into a smooth ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Step 3

For the filling, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and 0.5 teaspoon salt. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.

Step 5

Mix in the black beans and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Remove the pan from the heat and let the filling cool slightly.

Step 6

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 7

Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out circles using a 4-5 inch round cutter or bowl.

Step 8

Place 1-2 tablespoons of filling into the center of each circle. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press the edges together. Seal the edge by crimping with a fork.

Step 9

Brush the tops with the beaten egg and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 10

While the empanadas bake, make the chili cheese sauce. In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for 1 minute.

Step 11

Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps form. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 12

Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, diced green chilies, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the cheese melts completely.

Step 13

Remove the sauce from the heat and transfer to a serving bowl.

Step 14

Serve the empanadas hot with the chili cheese sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2061.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4381.5

Total Fat 245.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 132.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Cholesterol 958.9mg	0%
Sodium 6714.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 354.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.2g	0%
Total Sugars 26.6g
Protein 201.2g	0%

Vitamin D 244.3IU	0%
Calcium 2332.5mg	0%
Iron 31.8mg	0%
Potassium 3027.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.9%

Protein: 18.1%

Carbs: 32.0%