Paraguayan Cheese and Ham Stuffed Pastries with Spiced Tomato Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-10 · Updated 2026-07-10

Golden baked pastries filled with melted cheese and savory ham, served with a warm tomato sauce seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic. This latin american-inspired pork ready in about 75 minutes blends all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, chilled and cubed, cold water into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 1/3 cup cold water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup diced cooked ham
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare pastry dough by combining 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Cut in 1/2 cup chilled cubed unsalted butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 1/3 cup cold water and mix until smooth dough forms. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into 5-inch circles.
3. Step 3: Place 2 tbsp diced cooked ham and 2 tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese in the center of each dough circle. Fold dough over to form a half-moon and seal edges by crimping with a fork. Brush each pastry with 1 beaten egg.
4. Step 4: Bake pastries on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 20-22 minutes until golden brown.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves just before serving.
7. Step 7: Serve warm pastries with the spiced tomato sauce for dipping.