Baked Beef and Olive Pastelitos

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden, flaky pastries filled with seasoned ground beef and briny green olives, a beloved handheld snack from Puerto Rican kitchens. This puerto rican-inspired quick meals ready in about 55 minutes pairs (17 oz), thawed puff pastry, ground beef, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.5 (10 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 25 min Serves 8 Puerto Rican cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll thawed puff pastry on a floured surface and cut into 4x4-inch squares. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking into crumbles. Add chopped onion and cook 5 minutes until softened. Stir in halved green olives, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 2 more minutes, then cool.
  3. Step 3: Place a spoonful of filling in each pastry square. Brush edges with beaten egg, fold into triangles, and crimp edges with a fork. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and puffed.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Beef and Olive Pastelitos take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Beef and Olive Pastelitos?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (17 oz), thawed puff pastry from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Beef and Olive Pastelitos?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Beef and Olive Pastelitos for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Beef and Olive Pastelitos?

Puerto Rican quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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