Baked Italian Empanada
Baked Italian Empanada is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. This savory pastry is filled with a flavorful mixture of Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, and roasted red peppers, making it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.
To make this dish, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten
To start, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat and transfer the sausage to a large mixing bowl.
Add the shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped roasted red peppers, parsley, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the cooked sausage. Mix well to combine.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out each sheet of puff pastry into a 12-inch square. Cut each square into 4 equal pieces.
Spoon about 1/4 cup of the sausage mixture onto one half of each pastry square, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling and press the edges together to seal.
Brush the tops of the empanadas with the beaten egg and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
Once done, remove the empanadas from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. These Baked Italian Empanadas are perfect for a quick and easy dinner or as a party appetizer.
In two words, this dish can be described as 'Savory Pastry'. The three main ingredients are Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, and roasted red peppers. The appearance of this dish is golden brown and puffed, while the taste is savory and flavorful. Don't forget to serve it with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor!
