Cheesy Ground Beef Puff Pastry Twists

Ingredients

For the Filling

500 g (1 lb) ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese

For the Pastry

1 package (about 450 g / 1 lb) frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon sesame seeds or dried parsley, optional

Instructions

1. Cook the Beef

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Add the chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.

Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.

Stir in the paprika, cumin, black pepper, salt, and tomato paste.

Cook for another 2–3 minutes, then remove from the heat.

Allow the beef mixture to cool completely.

2. Prepare the Pastry

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Lightly flour your work surface and unfold the puff pastry.

Roll it gently into a rectangle if necessary.

3. Add the Filling

Spread the cooled beef mixture evenly over half of the pastry.

Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the beef.

Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling and gently press the edges together.

4. Cut and Twist

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the filled pastry into strips about 2–3 cm wide.

Carefully twist each strip several times and place it on the prepared baking sheet.

Leave a little space between each twist.

5. Add the Egg Wash

Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water.

Brush the tops of the pastry twists with the egg wash.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds or dried parsley if desired.

6. Bake

Bake for approximately 18–25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and beautifully golden brown.

7. Serve

Let the twists cool for 5 minutes before serving.

They’re delicious served warm with:

Garlic mayo
Tomato ketchup
Ranch dressing
Spicy chili sauce

Tips

Let the cooked beef cool before putting it on the pastry. Hot filling can make the puff pastry soft and difficult to handle.
Don’t overfill the pastry, or the twists may open during baking.
Keep the puff pastry cold while working with it for the flakiest result.
For extra flavor, add chopped bell peppers, green chilies, or a little Worcestershire sauce to the beef.
Mozzarella gives you a stretchy cheese filling, while cheddar provides a stronger cheesy flavor.

Storage

Store leftover twists in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat them in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 5–10 minutes to restore their crispness.