Irresistible Spinach & Cream Cheese Empanadas
These delightful Spinach & Cream Cheese Empanadas are a must-try dish that balances creamy filling with a flaky pastry, making them perfect for any occasion. With a savory blend of spinach, bacon, and cottage cheese enveloped in a rich cream cheese dough, these empanadas are sure to impress friends and family alike. They can be made ahead of time and frozen, making them an excellent choice for meal prep or entertaining. Bake a batch and serve them warm with your favorite salsa for a scrumptious snack or appetizer. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply craving something delicious, these empanadas will quickly become a staple in your kitchen!
50
Servings
54
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
cream cheese
16 ounces (softened)
butter
3/4 cup (softened)
flour
2 1/2 cups (all-purpose)
salt
1/2 teaspoon
onion
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
garlic
3 cloves (minced)
bacon
5 slices (cooked and crumbled)
frozen chopped spinach
10 ounces (thawed and drained)
small curd cottage cheese
1 cup
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon
egg
1 (for egg wash)
salsa
to serve
Instructions
1
For the dough, in a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and well combined.
2
Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until the mixture thickens into a dough.
3
Knead the dough briefly by hand until smooth, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
4
For the filling, heat a skillet over medium heat and add the reserved bacon drippings. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic for 3-4 minutes or until the onion is tender but not browned.
5
Add the crumbled bacon, thawed and drained spinach, cottage cheese, pepper, and nutmeg to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let the filling cool.
6
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
7
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pastry dough to about 1/8 inch thick.
8
Using a 3-inch round cutter, cut out as many circles as possible from the dough.
9
Place about 1 teaspoon of the spinach filling on one half of each pastry circle.
10
Moisten the edges of the pastry circles with a mixture of beaten egg and water (egg wash), then fold the other half over the filling.
11
Seal the edges with a fork to prevent any filling from leaking during baking.
12
Arrange the filled empanadas on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush the tops with the egg wash and use a fork to prick a small vent in each to release steam while baking.
13
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown and flaky.
14
Serve warm with salsa for dipping. To freeze, allow cooled empanadas to firm up on a baking sheet before transferring to a large freezer bag, sealing, and labeling.
15
To reheat, place frozen empanadas on a baking sheet and bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition Information
3.42g
Fat
4.52g
Carbs
1.7g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spinach & Cream Cheese Empanadas?
They are savory hand-held pastries featuring a creamy filling of spinach, bacon, and cottage cheese enclosed in a rich, flaky cream cheese dough.
What is the dough made of?
The dough is made by creaming together 16 ounces of softened cream cheese and 3/4 cup of butter, then mixing in 2.5 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
How long should the dough chill?
The dough should be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for at least 3 hours before rolling out.
What are the key ingredients in the filling?
The filling consists of onion, garlic, cooked bacon, thawed and drained spinach, small curd cottage cheese, pepper, and nutmeg.
How do I prepare the spinach?
Use 10 ounces of frozen chopped spinach that has been completely thawed and thoroughly drained to remove excess moisture.
Can I make these vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the bacon and use butter or oil instead of bacon drippings to sauté the onions and garlic.
What is the baking temperature?
The empanadas should be baked in an oven preheated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long do they take to bake?
They typically bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they reach a golden brown and flaky consistency.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 50 empanadas.
What size should the dough circles be?
Use a 3-inch round cutter to cut out the pastry circles.
How much filling goes in each empanada?
Place approximately 1 teaspoon of the spinach mixture onto one half of each pastry circle.
How do I seal the edges?
Moisten the edges with an egg wash, fold the dough over, and press the edges with a fork to seal them tightly.
Why should I prick the empanadas with a fork?
Pricking the top creates a small vent that allows steam to escape while the empanadas bake, preventing them from bursting.
What is the best dipping sauce?
The recipe recommends serving these empanadas warm with your favorite salsa.
Are these empanadas freezer-friendly?
Yes, they can be frozen. Allow them to firm up on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag.
How do I reheat frozen empanadas?
Bake them at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes or until they are heated through.
How many calories are in one empanada?
Each serving contains approximately 54 calories.
What kind of cheese is used in the filling?
The filling utilizes 1 cup of small curd cottage cheese for a creamy texture.
Can I use fresh spinach?
Yes, but you must cook it down and drain all moisture thoroughly to match the 10-ounce frozen requirement.
How is the egg wash prepared?
Mix one beaten egg with a small amount of water to create the wash.
Can the filling be made in advance?
Yes, the filling should be allowed to cool before assembly, so making it ahead of time is efficient.
What is the texture of the baked pastry?
The combination of cream cheese and butter in the dough results in a rich and flaky pastry.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each empanada provides approximately 1.7 grams of protein.
How thin should I roll the dough?
Roll out the chilled pastry dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
What is the purpose of nutmeg in the filling?
Nutmeg provides a subtle warmth that enhances the flavors of the spinach and dairy.
What can I use instead of bacon drippings?
If you prefer not to use bacon drippings, you can use butter or olive oil to sauté the onion and garlic.
How much fat is in each empanada?
There are 3.42 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each empanada contains 4.52 grams of carbohydrates.
What type of flour is recommended?
The recipe calls for 2.5 cups of all-purpose flour.
How do I achieve a golden brown crust?
Brush the tops of the empanadas with the egg wash before placing them in the oven.