Pastelillos are also know as turnovers, empanadas or patties. They are easy to make and very delicious. If you don’t eat beef, try it with chicken or even fish. A very popular filling is cheese. You can even try filling the pastry dough with your favorite veggies. The choices are endless.
You can make your own dough, but as a busy, working mom, I always buy the ready made empanada discs at my local supermarket. To prepare the ground beef filling, season the meat to your liking, but in this video I used a teaspoon of store bought recaito, garlic powder, onion powder, adobo, and Sazon with culantro and achiote. I sometimes add a little olive juice and coarsely chopped olives (alcaparrado) for extra flavor.
My husband, who is Puerto Rican, loves to add cheese to his beef pastelillos. I don’t believe that is the traditional Puerto Rican way to have it as it’s more of his preference. When my husband makes pastelillos, he makes a set with just beef and a set with beef and cheese to satisfy our preferences.
I hope you enjoy this video. Leave a comment below, and let me know if you’ve had a pastelillo and what is your favorite filling.
