These Ghost Taco Hand Pies are a delicious twist on a classic taco recipe, perfect for any occasion. With a flaky pie crust filled with savory taco meat and cheese, these hand pies are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Great flavors: The combination of taco seasoning, ground beef (or turkey/chicken), and Mexican cheese creates a flavorful and satisfying filling.
- Quick prep time: These hand pies come together in no time, making them a perfect weeknight dinner option or party appetizer.
- Perfect for meal prep: These hand pies can be made ahead of time and frozen for later, making them a convenient and versatile dish to have on hand.
Ingredient Notes:
- Lean ground beef, ground turkey, or chicken: Provides a protein-packed filling for the hand pies.
- Taco seasoning: Adds a delicious blend of spices for that classic taco flavor.
- Shredded carrot, chopped bell pepper, or baby spinach (optional): Adds extra veggies for a nutritious twist.
- Pie crusts (defrosted but unbaked): Forms the flaky and buttery outer shell of the hand pies.
- Shredded Mexican cheese: Melts into the filling for a gooey and cheesy finish.
- Egg (for brushing): Helps create a golden-brown crust.
- Salsa (for dipping): Adds a zesty kick to each bite.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a skillet, cook the ground meat over medium heat until browned. Add taco seasoning and any optional veggies, cooking until softened.
- Roll out the pie crusts and cut into circles using a cookie cutter or a glass.
- Spoon the meat mixture onto half of each circle, leaving a border around the edges. Sprinkle with cheese and fold the dough over, sealing the edges with a fork.
- Beat the egg and brush it over the tops of the hand pies. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve with salsa for dipping.
Helpful Tips:
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the meat with black beans or lentils.
- Make a double batch and freeze the hand pies for a quick meal later on.
- Customize the filling with your favorite taco toppings like diced tomatoes, avocado, or jalapenos.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Use a quality pie crust for the best texture and flavor.
- Don’t overfill the hand pies to prevent leaking during baking.
- Allow the hand pies to cool slightly before serving to avoid burning your mouth.
Serving Suggestions:
These Ghost Taco Hand Pies pair well with a side of Mexican rice, a fresh salad, or a cold beer for a complete meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store any leftover hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use store-bought taco seasoning?
Yes, store-bought taco seasoning works perfectly in this recipe for convenience. - Can I make these hand pies ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the hand pies and freeze them before baking. Simply bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time. - Can I use a different type of cheese?
Feel free to use your favorite cheese blend in place of the Mexican cheese for a unique twist on the recipe.
Conclusion:
These Ghost Taco Hand Pies are a fun and tasty dish that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Give them a try and let us know how they turn out! Enjoy!
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Ghost Taco Hand Pies
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
These ghost taco hand pies are a fun and spooky twist on traditional tacos. Filled with seasoned ground meat and cheese, they are perfect for Halloween parties or a festive dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef, ground turkey, or chicken
- 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup shredded carrot (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper or baby spinach (optional)
- 2 pie crusts, defrosted but unbaked
- 1/3 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- 1 egg for brushing
- salsa for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a skillet, cook the ground meat with taco seasoning until browned. Add in the shredded carrot and chopped bell pepper or spinach if desired.
- Assemble the hand pies: Roll out the pie crusts and cut into ghost shapes. Place a spoonful of the meat mixture and some shredded cheese on one half of each ghost shape. Fold over the other half and seal the edges with a fork.
- Bake: Brush the hand pies with beaten egg and bake in a preheated oven until golden brown.
- Serve: Serve the ghost taco hand pies with salsa for dipping.
Notes
- You can customize the filling with your favorite taco ingredients such as black beans, corn, or jalapenos.
- Feel free to use store-bought pie crusts for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg