This Baked Italian Cheese Mushroom Empanada recipe makes an amazing appetizer or delicious meal. They’re quick, easy, and everyone’s going to love them.
I love to entertain and something that always works is an easy to make delicious appetizer like this Baked Italian Cheese Mushroom Empanada recipe. It’s also really easy to make enough for a crowd.
I think that appetizers are one of those courses that can be tough to plan. They’ve got to be easy to make, delicious, and hold up well for the conditions you’re faced with. This Baked Italian Cheese Mushroom Empanada recipe checks off everything on the list.
This post is sponsored by Crystal Farms. My opinions and love for their product is 100% my own.
I don’t know anyone that doesn’t like cheese. We are Cheese lovers and it’s the star of many of my recipes regardless of what course I’m making. Not long ago I had the opportunity to work with Crystal Farms®.
Do you remember my Gouda Cheese and Apple Stuffed Pork Chops Recipe? It’s been popular. Besides being a show stopper, it’s delicious and also simple to put together. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to team up with Crystal Farms Cheese again.
Empanadas are a fancy name for hand pies or turnovers.
The best thing about making empanadas is that you can stuff them with anything. These empanadas are vegetarian but you could just as easily add meat or veggies.
I also like the idea of using a dipping sauce. I used the marinara that I also used in the empanada filling but a cheese sauce would be amazing too. You can find some amazing recipes for sauces and dips on the Crystal Farms Cheese website! Their site also helps you pick from the 154 cheese flavors and types they offer and Where To Buy their products.
I love using block cheese because I can repurpose what I don’t use so easily. I used a Provolone and a Sharp Cheddar in this recipe but the options are endless!
I diced the cheese in these empanadas so that it wouldn’t completely melt while the empanadas baked and then grated some more over the marinara. If I have cheese I have the start to a dish we’re going to love.
Don’t have time to make it now? Pin it for later!
Baked Italian Cheese Mushroom Empanada Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry thawed
- 1/2 cup cremini mushrooms diced – or your favorite variety
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1/2 cup Provolone Crystal Farms® Cheese Brand diced
- 1/2 cup Sharp Cheddar Crystal Farms® Cheese Brand diced
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup marinara
- 2 tbsp sundried tomatoes diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove the mushroom stems and wipe any debris with a damp paper towel or cloth. Do not wash. Mushrooms act like a sponge when washed.
- Combine the cheese, garlic, salt and sundried tomatoes. Add enough of the marinara to coat ingredients. Adding more than you need will result in soggy empanadas.
- Unfold the puff pastry and roll it out to smooth out any wrinkles. Stamp out 4″ circles with a biscuit, cookie cutter or a drinking glass.
- Whip the egg with a teaspoon of water.
- Working with one empanada at a time, brush the perimeter of the puff pastry circle with the egg wash. Spoon or scoop one tablespoon of filling into the center of each circle. Fold in half and gently press edges together. Using a fork, crimp the edges closed. place on the baking sheet.
- Repeat with each empanada. Brush the puff pastry with egg wash and bake for 20 minutes or until browned.
- Serve with additional marinara.
Notes
Nutrition
NOW YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE CHEESE RIGHT? HERE ARE A FEW MORE RECIPES THAT SHOW MY LOVE FOR CHEESE!
Gouda Cheese and Apple Stuffed Pork Chops
Crustless 3 Cheese Asparagus Quiche
Caramelized Onion Gouda Casatiello Bread
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Wendy says
These sound amazing.
Natalie says
I would love to try the Crystal Farms Shredded Mac & Cheese and I want to make the Fried Mac and Cheese Bites.. I learned that Wisconsin produces over 600 varieties of cheese .
Julie Menghini says
That sounds so delicious Natalie! Thank you for stopping by and good luck with the giveaway!
Kristin G says
I didn’t realize that Cheese was the #1 food craving!! I actually crave it a lot. I want to use their 3 pepper cheese in my hashbrown casserole.
Julie Menghini says
That sounds amazing Kristin! Thank you for stopping by and good luck with the giveaway!
Lisa Brown says
I want the shredded asiago cheese. I bet it would be great on pizza.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Lisa! That sounds amazing! Thank you for stopping by and good luck with the Giveaway!
Madi says
I love empanadas! I can’t wait to try making these!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much, Madi!
amy guillaume linderman says
i learned they have a Shredded Wisconsin Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese! i have to look for that! i would love to make a cheese souffle for new year’s eve!
Julie Menghini says
I love the sharp too Amy! Thank you for stopping by and good luck in the giveaway!
Debra C. says
Melty cheesy deliciousness! These look awesome!! Do they freeze well? They would be terrific to have tucked in the freezer!!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Debra! They freeze super well. Great idea to tuck some of these away if you can make them last that long.
Alice F. says
These cheese mushroom empanadas look delicious!
If I were to win the Crystal Cheeses Giveaway, I would make a dish that I created for my husband and it is always a hit. Basically, I make two grilled cheese sandwiches with one being Pepper Jack cheese and the other has American cheese. In the pepper jack cheese sandwich I had grilled onions. In the American grilled cheese, I add chopped dill pickles. Then I cook a hamburger patty and add more cheese to top it off. I assumble the sandwich replacing a traditional bun with the two grilled sandwiches.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Alice! I’d love either one of those sandwiches! I love cooking for my husband too. So glad that you entered the giveaway! Good luck!
michele says
that cheese is so spectacular! I can’t wait to make it!!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Michele!
Sandra Shaffer says
These empanadas look fabulous! I’m a cheese fanatic and often look for vegetarian dishes to make at home that everyone will love since my daughter doesn’t eat meat. Pinning and printing this recipe now! Thank you.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Sandra! You’ll never miss the meat in these empanadas.
justine says
these look PHENOMENAL
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Justine!
Angela says
What a GREAT idea for an easy and delicious dish!!! Love anything filled with cheese and the flavors you’ve got going on here are perfect!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Angela!
Michaela Kenkel says
Oh my!! You have out done yourself on these!! Mushrooms are my FAVORITE!! and all that CHEESE!! YUM!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Michaela!
Ashley Kolpak says
I would make the bacon cheddar dip with the cheddar cheese and I learned that Wisconsin produces over 600 varieties of cheese
Julie Menghini says
That sounds amazing, Ashley! Thank you for stopping by and good luck with the Give-Away!
Jeff says
You can never go wrong with puff pastry. Great take on an empanada!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Jeff! If you have puff pastry you have a ton of options.
Pavani says
I love Crystal Farms cheeses because most of their block cheeses are vegetarian. BTW your Italian empanadas look amazing. I would love to them 🙂
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much, Pavani!
Debbie Spivey says
A double-fisting kind of meal!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Debbie! John polished every single one of them off! Time to make another batch.
Marvellina | What To Cook Today says
Those empanadas look GORGEOUS!!! Love the photos too!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Marvellina!
Cheryl B says
I was very surprised that they have 227 recipes available on their website. What a great way to try different ways to use their yummy items.
Julie Menghini says
They definitely have some great recipes on their site, Cheryl! Thank you for stopping by and good luck on the giveaway!
Ashley S says
I definetely agree with you – appetiziers are super hard to plan for me! I don’t know what it is, lol! I’ve never had empandads! I don’t like mushrooms – would you have another suggestion for a replacement?
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Ashley! Just leave those mushrooms out and you’ll never know that I had them in there. Thank you for stopping by!
Tomi C says
I learned Wisconsin produces over 600 varieties of cheese. I think I’d like to try the Crystal Farms Cheese and whip up that Bacon Cheddar Dip. Thanks for the giveaway.
Julie Menghini says
That sounds amazing Tomi! Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
beth says
I learned that cheese was the number one food craving in a recent survey.
I’d like to make the cheesy hash browns with Wisconsin sharp cheddar.
Julie Menghini says
Thanks for stopping by Beth! That sounds amazing and good luck!
amy guillaume linderman says
i love the Crystal Farms Finely Shredded Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar Cheese. i would enjoy making the cheesy canadian bacon calzones! yum!
Julie Menghini says
Oh yea Amy, that sounds amazing! Thank you for stopping by and good luck!
Tim says
My favorite thing about Crystal Farms is that they are consistently the cheapest brand of cheese available. It seems to be a regular in the sales flyers. The selection in my area is pretty good, but after looking through the product selection on their website, I only have access to a small fraction of what they make.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you for pointing that out Tim! I’ve found cheeses and meats found in the dairy aisle are much cheaper than in the deli area! Thank you for stopping by and good luck!
Geoff says
If I won, I’d make some cheesy hash browns with the Crystal Farms Shredded Cheddar!
Julie Menghini says
That sounds amazing Geoff! I’ll give you my address and you can send me a pan of them! Thank you for stopping by and good luck!
Denille says
I love that they are from Wisconsin. I just moved to Minnesota so it is very close to me so almost local. We love cheese, so there are many recipes I would love to try!
Julie Menghini says
Minnesota Denille? You’re going t need some warm cheese comfort food dishes! Thank you for stopping by and good luck!
Sonal says
I absoluteky loved these cheesy empanadas! Perfect for entertaining and even taking for Holiday get togethers.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you sweetie!
Sonal says
Absolutely loved the idea Julie! Clicked and checked the give away too
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much for your support Sonal!
Mimi says
You forgot to mention that they’re also beautiful!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much, Mimi!
Melissa says
I’d love to make the stuffed baby peppers using the Crystal Farms Shredded Asiago & Parmesan cheese! They’d make a great holiday appetizer!
Julie Menghini says
Wow, Melissa! That is an amazing idea. Good luck to you on the giveaway!
Sandhya says
Julie , You had me at cheese mushroom and sundried tomatoes! what a great combination. Love the photos too!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much, Sandhya! So sweet of you to stop by!