Easy Giant Empanada

Discover the ultimate crowd-pleaser with this Easy Giant Empanada recipe—your new go-to meal for hearty, delicious comfort food. Featuring a flaky, golden crust made from scratch and a savory filling packed with seasoned ground beef, sweet onions, briny black olives, hard-boiled eggs, and melted cheese, this oversized empanada combines bold flavors in every bite. Perfect for sharing with friends or family, this recipe simplifies the traditional empanada-making process by crafting one giant version, saving you time without sacrificing flavor. Whether served at a dinner party or enjoyed as a satisfying weeknight meal, this giant empanada is as impressive as it is easy to prepare. Pair it with a crisp salad or your favorite dipping sauce for the ultimate dining experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 0.5 cup cold water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 cup black olives, sliced
• 2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 2

Slowly add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

Step 3

While the dough chills, prepare the filling. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute.

Step 4

Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in tomato paste, ground cumin, and paprika. Cook for 2–3 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.

Step 6

Once the beef has cooled, fold in sliced black olives, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and shredded cheese.

Step 7

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

Step 8

On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a large circle, about 12–14 inches in diameter.

Step 9

Transfer the rolled-out dough to the prepared baking sheet. Spoon the filling onto one half of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge.

Step 10

Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together, then crimp or fold them to seal tightly.

Step 11

Brush the top of the empanada with beaten egg to give it a golden finish when baked.

Step 12

Using a sharp knife, cut a few small slits into the top of the empanada to allow steam to escape.

Step 13

Bake the empanada in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp.

Step 14

Remove from the oven and let the empanada cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1676.3 grams (1676.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5007

Total Fat 375.40g	481%
Saturated Fat 191.30g	957%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 1496mg	499%
Sodium 4554mg	198%
Total Carbohydrate 264.30g	96%
Dietary Fiber 16.60g	59%
Total Sugars 12.20g
Protein 159.90g	320%

Vitamin D 270IU	1349%
Calcium 1088mg	84%
Iron 30mg	167%
Potassium 2344mg	50%

*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: 66.6%

Protein: 12.6%

Carbs: 20.8%