Cheesy Beef Puff Pastry Pockets
These Cheesy Beef Puff Pastry Pockets are a delightful combination of ground beef, gooey cheese, and flaky puff pastry, perfect for any meal or snack.
Servings: 8 pockets
Calories: 300kcal
Ingredients
For the filling
- 1 lb 1 lb (450 g) ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
- 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon olive oil For sautéing.
- ½ small ½ small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup ½ cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1 cup 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese For filling.
- ½ cup ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional) Highly recommended for additional flavor.
For the pastry
- 1 box 1 box (2 sheets) puff pastry, thawed Ensure puff pastry is thawed before use.
- 1 egg 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) For a golden finish.
- Optional: chopped parsley or basil for garnish For freshness and color.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, cooking for about 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned and crumbly, then drain any excess fat.
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Pour in the pizza or marinara sauce, mix well, and let simmer for a couple of minutes before removing from heat to cool slightly.
Assembly
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Roll them out slightly and cut into 4 equal rectangles per sheet, yielding a total of 8 rectangles.
- On one half of each rectangle, spoon a generous heap of the beef mixture. Top with mozzarella and cheddar cheese as desired, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Fold the pastry over to create pockets. Use a fork to press and seal the edges.
Baking
- Brush the tops of the pockets with the beaten egg for a golden finish. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving as the cheese can be hot.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or basil for added color and freshness.
Notes
Make the filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Cheese options can be varied for different flavors. Consider adding finely chopped bell peppers or mushrooms for extra texture.