Chile-Inspired Spicy Beef Empanadas with Sofrito Filling
Savory baked empanadas filled with a spicy Chilean-style beef and sofrito mixture, perfect for a flavorful snack or appetizer. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 55 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, medium, finely diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 1 small, finely diced red bell pepper
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 12 frozen empanada dough discs
- 1, beaten for egg wash egg
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely diced medium yellow onion and 1 finely diced small red bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 7-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1/4 cup beef broth. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until mixture thickens and flavors meld. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Step 5: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 12 frozen empanada dough discs on a baking sheet. Spoon about 2 tbsp of beef filling into the center of each disc.
- Step 6: Fold dough over to form half-moons and press edges firmly to seal. Brush each empanada with beaten egg.
- Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Let cool slightly before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chile-Inspired Spicy Beef Empanadas with Sofrito Filling take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Chile-Inspired Spicy Beef Empanadas with Sofrito Filling?
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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chile-Inspired Spicy Beef Empanadas with Sofrito Filling?
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 Chile-Inspired Spicy Beef Empanadas with Sofrito Filling for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Chile-Inspired Spicy Beef Empanadas with Sofrito Filling?
Latin American beef 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.
