Gourmet Pastelillos (Meat Pies)
Pastelillos are fried meat pies filled with ground beef, onion, and olives.
The filling is made with lean ground beef, seasoned with sofrito and sazòn. The empanada dough is wrapped around the filling and fried until golden brown.
These pies are a popular snack in many Latin American countries.
By Nadia Kovalenko
Posted August 21, 2026Share
Time
Calories
Servings
Difficulty
Description
Pastelillos are fried meat pies filled with ground beef, onion, and olives.
The filling is made with lean ground beef, seasoned with sofrito and sazòn. The empanada dough is wrapped around the filling and fried until golden brown.
These pies are a popular snack in many Latin American countries.
Quick Tip Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.
Ingredients 11
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound extra-lean ground beef
0.5 onion, diced
0.25 cup tomato sauce
6 large pimento-stuffed olives, diced
2 tablespoons sofrito (such as Goya®)
1 (1.41 ounce) package sazon seasoning with coriander and achiote (such as Goya®)
2 small garlic cloves, minced and crushed
0.5 teaspoon oregano
2 (14 ounce) packages frozen empanada dough (such as Goya® discos)
vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
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1
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the beef until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in 0.5 onion, 0.25 cup tomato sauce, 6 diced olives, 2 tablespoons sofrito, 1 package sazon seasoning, 2 crushed garlic cloves, and 0.5 teaspoon oregano. Bring to a simmer and cook until the mixture is thickened, about 15 minutes.
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2
Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of the meat mixture into the middle of an empanada dough round. Moisten the edges, fold the dough to form a half-moon, and press with a fork to seal. Repeat with the remaining meat mixture and dough.
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3
Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F. Working in batches, fry the pastelillos in hot oil until golden brown and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 15
Amount Per Serving
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Calories 290 kcal
% Daily Value *
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Total Fat 16g
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Saturated Fat 4g
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Cholesterol 21mg
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Sodium 736mg
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Total Carbohydrate 28g
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Dietary Fiber 2g
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Protein 11g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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