EMPANADAS BEEF AND CHEESE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Spray two large cookie sheets with cooking spray.
• In 10-inch skillet, cook beef, onion, salt and pepper over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. Return beef mixture to skillet; reduce heat to low. Stir in chili powder, cumin and tomato sauce; cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until heated through. Remove from heat; cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Unroll one can of dough, and separate into 4 rectangles; firmly press perforations to seal. Cut each rectangle in half to form 8 total squares; place on one cookie sheet, spaced at least 1 inch apart.
• Spoon 2 tablespoons beef filling in center of each square. Carefully fold dough over filling to form a triangle; firmly press edges with fork to seal. Brush tops of triangles with beaten egg. Repeat with second can of dough and remaining beef mixture.
• Bake 9 to 12 minutes (in batches, if needed) or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large pot over high. Cook beef, breaking up with a spoon, until browned but not completely cooked through, 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving as much fat in pan as possible.
• Reduce heat to medium and cook onion, bell peppers, and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil, stirring, until tender but not browned, 6–8 minutes; season with salt and black pepper. Add cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chicken stock and reserved beef along with any accumulated juices to pot. Stir in sugar, 4 tsp. salt, and ¼ tsp. black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring and scraping up any brown bits, until most of the liquid is evaporated, 15–20 minutes; taste and season with salt and black pepper, if needed. Stir in raisins. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover, and chill at least 3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375°. Let dough sit at room temperature 15 minutes to temper. Remove 6 rounds from package, keeping plastic divider underneath, and arrange on a work surface. Place 2 Tbsp. filling in the center of each round. Top with 2 olive halves. Brush water around half of outer edge of each round. Using plastic divider to help you, fold round over filling and pinch edges to seal. Using a fork, crimp edges. Remove plastic and transfer empanada to a parchment-lined sheet tray, spacing 1" apart. Repeat with remaining rounds (you’ll get about 12 empanadas on each tray).
• Bake empanadas, rotating tray halfway through, until golden brown and slightly darker around the edges, 25–35 minutes.
• Do Ahead: Filling can be made 3 days ahead. Keep chilled. Unbaked empanadas can be made 3 months ahead; freeze on sheet tray, then transfer to freezer bags and keep frozen.