Quick & Easy Vegetarian Empanadas

esmerelda smoot's Note:

This great recipe found in "Real Simple" magazine cuts normal preparation time for empanadas in half.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb refrigerated pizza dough
• ½ cup flour (for the work surface)
• 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
• 1 (1 pint) container fresh salsa
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded cheddar cheese
• sour cream (to garnish) (optional)
• avocado (to garnish) (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400°F Spread 1 teaspoon of the oil on a baking sheet.
2. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each into an 8in round on a lightly floured surface. On 1 side of each round, spread some of the beans, then top with 1 1/2 tbs of salsa and 2 tbs of cheese.
3. Fold each of the rounds in half, covering the filling, and sealing the dough on the curved edge with your thumb. Lightly brush the tops of the empanadas with the remaining oil. Transfer to the already greased baking sheet.
4. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden.
5. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and sliced avocado if desired.

Reviews

[HocoRuco]

I wasn't blown away by this recipe. I found that many of my empanadas sprung leaks in the oven which was unfortunate but certainly not the end of the world. They were very tasty but I found preparing them to be very time consuming and tedious despite the shortcut of using frozen pizza dough. I also thought that the outside of the empanadas could have used a bit of brushed egg or butter because it was rather dry tasting. Good, not great and for me not quite worth the effort.

[ashcam]

No one has mentioned it, but go to your favorite pizza place and ask for dough !! We have a place here that makes amazing dough, the will usually just let us have it, but sometimes charge a little. Look forward to making this next week !!

[TreeSquirrel]

I made my own pizza dough in my bread-maker for one large pizza and divided that dough into 6 smaller, rolled out circles. I added chopped garlic, onion, and green peppers to my boyfriends empanadas. On mine, I had them with just re-fried beans and cheese. Next time I make the pizza dough, I'm going to try a cornbread-type recipe to add to the Mexican flavor of this meal. It was quick, easy and totally yummy! What's not to love about it?!?!