Ohhh yes 🥟🔥 Conchitas with Ground Beef—savory, cheesy, and slightly spicy stuffed pastry shells, perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main. Here’s a homemade, delicious version.
🥟 Conchitas with Ground Beef
Ingredients (makes ~12 conchitas)
For the dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup cold water (more if needed)
- 1 egg (optional, for richness)
For the filling
- 1/2 lb (225 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp chili powder (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (optional)
For topping
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the dough
- In a bowl, mix flour and salt.
- Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add cold water (and egg if using) gradually until a smooth dough forms.
- Wrap in plastic, chill 30 min.
2️⃣ Prepare the filling
- Heat a skillet over medium heat, cook onion until translucent.
- Add garlic and cook 30 sec.
- Add ground beef, paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until beef is browned and cooked through.
- Remove from heat, stir in cheese and herbs. Let cool slightly.
3️⃣ Assemble conchitas
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut into ~4-inch circles.
- Place 1–2 tsp filling in center of each circle.
- Fold dough over to form a half-moon, pinch edges to seal (optional: crimp with fork).
- Brush tops with beaten egg for shine.
4️⃣ Bake
- Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake 18–22 min until golden brown.
5️⃣ Serve
- Warm, as snack, appetizer, or part of a meal.
- Optional: serve with salsa, sour cream, or hot sauce.
Pro Tips
- Cheese: melting cheese inside keeps filling gooey and flavorful.
- Spice level: adjust chili powder or add a few dashes of hot sauce to filling.
- Make ahead: dough and filling can be prepared in advance; assemble and bake when needed.
- Extra crisp: brush with a little melted butter before baking.
I can also give a “super flavorful, saucy, slightly sweet-and-spicy conchitas” version with caramelized onions and a touch of tomato paste in the beef for an extra mouthwatering filling 😏.
Do you want me to do that?
