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+ servings

Kid-Friendly Lunchbox Empanadas

Amanda Keefer
These lunchbox-friendly empanadas are packed with lean ground beef, veggies, and cheese for a meal kids can’t resist! Get the family in the kitchen, and make a batch on Sunday for easy lunchboxes all week.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course dinner, Lunch, Lunchbox Ideas
Cuisine Mexican, tex-mex
Servings 6
Calories 294 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/4 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 small sweet onion finely chopped
  • 3 mini sweet peppers finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pound whole wheat pizza dough you can also use frozen empanada discs found at the grocer in the freezer section
  • 1/2 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons salsa
  • 1 cup mixed frozen vegetables cooked
  • 1 clementine as a side if desired

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, carrots, onion, peppers, cumin, salt and pepper, and cook 7-10 minutes, or until cooked through. Drain and set aside.
  • Dust counter lightly with flour and roll out dough to ¼-inch thick. Using a small to mid-size bowl (5-inches in diameter) to cut out circles of dough. Repeat process until all dough has been used.
  • Fill dough with ¼ cup beef and sprinkle with cheese. Fold dough over filling to create a pocket, pressing down on sides to seal.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool.
  • Serve with salsa for dipping, veggies and Crispy Green for added fruit.

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 17gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 651mgPotassium: 309mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2945IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 2mg
Keyword easy lunch, easy weeknight meals, weeknight dinner
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!