Taco Hand Pies

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Servings: 12
Yield: 12 servings

Description

Pico de gallo and pepper Jack cheese complement taco-seasoned beef in these hand pies that are much less messy than regular tacos.

Ingredients

2 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup diced white onion
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/4 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
12 frozen empanada wrappers, thawed
1 large egg
water

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2 Mix together tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño pepper, and garlic salt in a large bowl until well combined. Set aside.
3 Heat a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot pan until crumbly and no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain fat and return beef to the pan.
4 Stir water and taco seasoning into beef; cook until fully incorporated and water has been absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in tomato mixture and pepper Jack cheese until well combined.
5 Lightly flour a work surface. Roll each empanada wrapper out to a 6-inch circle. Scoop 1/3 cup beef filling onto the center of each wrapper. Fold each wrapper in half to enclose beef filling. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Pierce the top of each pie twice with a fork. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
6 Make egg wash: Whisk together egg and water in a small bowl until well combined. Brush over the tops of pies.
7 Bake on the middle rack in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.