breakfast empanada 14a wm

Breakfast Empanadas with Smoky Cheese Dip & Giveaway

440 Replies

Mother’s Day is coming up soon (how did that happen already??) so how about celebrating Mom with some fun bite-size brunch recipes?!  And better yet, how about winning a great prize package FOR Mom??  Land O’ Lakes has graciously offered to give one of my readers a great prize package valued at more than $100 so read on for more details and info on how to enter.  To celebrate Mom I also came up with these great and easy Breakfast Empanadas with Smoky Cheese Dip featuring Land O’ Lakes eggs!  Fun for everyone, because if everyone else is happy, MOM is happy! 

Land O’ Lakes has some great brunch type recipes on their website including Breakfast Biscuit Bakes, Mini Mexi Bites – Land O’ Lakes, and Bacon Topped Deviled Eggs – Land O’ Lakes just to name a few.  I decided to come up with another recipe to add to the bunch, Breakfast Empanadas with Smoky Cheese Dip.  These empanadas are stuffed with scrambled Land O’ Lakes eggs and sausage, and served with a warm cheese dip.  My kids loved dipping their empanadas and since they were happy, I was happy!!!

Not a lot of ingredients in this recipe and it’s quick and easy to make.  The Land O’ Lakes eggs should be easy to find at your local grocery store.  Land O’ Lakes has four varieties of all-natural eggs:  Farm-Fresh All-Natural Eggs, Cage-Free All-Natural Eggs, All-Natural Eggs with 160 mg ALA Omega 3, and Organic All-Natural Eggs.  All varieties are produced by hens fed a premium vegetarian, whole-grain diet.

For the dough for the empanadas, you can make your own homemade empanada dough, or you could probably use store-bought or homemade pie crust, bread dough, biscuit dough, or even puff pastry dough.  To make it easy, I picked up an 8 count tube of flaky biscuit dough.  The “flaky” biscuits can easily be split into 2 each so you actually get 16 empanadas out of one package.  I used a chicken and apple sausage but you could use any kind of sausage, or even precooked ham or bacon.

For the cheese dip I used Land O’ Lakes American cheese, milk, and some spices including ancho chile powder, garlic powder, and onion powder.  You can definitely add other things to your dip such as chopped jalapenos or chilies, chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, salsa, etc.  Lots of possibilities!

To start, I crumbled and cooked my sausage in a large skillet until cooked through.

While the sausage was cooking, I scrambled my eggs in a small bowl.  The first thing I always notice about Land O’ Lakes eggs is that the yolks are a lot brighter than other eggs!

When the sausage is done, remove the sausage from the pan and drain most of the fat.  You can scramble your eggs right in the same pan (or use a separate pan if you want to cook at the same time as your sausage to speed things up a bit).

Separate your biscuits into 2 pieces each and spread slightly with your fingers to even out the dough and make it easier to stuff them.  Place on large baking sheets.

Spoon the sausage and eggs onto one side of each piece of dough.  Fold the dough over the filling and using a fork or your fingers, seal the edges.

I brushed the top of my empanadas with an easy egg wash so that they would be shiny and golden brown when cooked.  Just scramble another Land O’ Lakes egg in a small bowl and mix in a little milk (or water) to thin, then using a brush, very lightly brush the egg wash on top.

I baked my empanadas on silpats but you could use parchment paper or follow the directions for the type of dough you use.  While the empanadas are baking and just about done, prepare your cheese dip.  It only takes a few minutes to make the cheese dip and was so quick to make that I FORGOT to take pictures!  Darn it!  Just chop up your cheese, put in a small microwave-safe bowl, add your milk, and spices.  Microwave on high for 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval.  It should only take a few minutes before the cheese has melted and the dip is smooth.  Then mix in anything else you’d like such as jalapenos, tomatoes, etc.  The dip will start to thicken up as it cools, so you can put it back in the microwave, or keep it in a fondue pot or small crockpot to stay warm.  Detailed recipe is at the bottom of this post.

SNAPPY GOURMET – LAND O’ LAKES GIVEAWAY:

(Check out my GIVEAWAY page regularly for more giveaways!)

Land O’ Lakes has graciously offered to give one reader this great prize package:

Prizes:  1 winner will receive a gift package provided by Land O’ Lakes including an On-Ice Deviled Eggs Server, Mini Muffin Tin, Two-Tier Server with Plates and a full-value coupon redeemable for any variety of Land O’ Lakes Eggs. (prize package is valued at more than $100)

 

TO ENTER:
You have up to 8 chances to win so you can leave up to 8 comments (1 VALID comment = 1 entry). To enter, leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry using the comment form below on THIS blog post…

1.) Leave a comment if you follow Snappy Gourmet on FACEBOOK.
(If you’re not a follower , you can follow now at FACEBOOK.) (1 entry)

2.) Leave a comment if you follow Land O’ Lakes on FACEBOOK.
(If you’re not a follower, you can follow now at FACEBOOK..) (1 entry)

3.) Leave a comment if you follow Snappy Gourmet on TWITTER.
(If you’re not a follower, you can follow now at TWITTER.) (1 entry)

4.) Leave a comment if you follow Land O’ Lakes on TWITTER.
(If you’re not a follower, you can follow now at TWITTER.) (1 entry)

5.) Leave a comment if you follow Snappy Gourmet on PINTEREST.
(If you’re not a follower, you can follow “My Recipes” board and other boards now at PINTEREST.) (1 entry)

6.) Leave a comment if you receive Snappy Gourmet posts by EMAIL or RSS Feed.
(If you’re not receiving recipes/posts you can sign up now to receive by EMAIL or RSS Feed – you must also verify your email address/subscription through feedburner. Subscriptions that have not been verified will not be valid.) (1 entry)

7.) Leave a comment if you have posted about this giveaway with the link (http://snappygourmet.com/giveaways-enter-now/)  on your FACEBOOK page, your TWITTER account, or if you pinned this giveaway to your PINTEREST boards.
Include something like “I just entered to win a $100 prize pack  from @snappygourmet & @LandOLakesKtchn  #giveaway  http://snappygourmet.com/giveaways-enter-now/”  . (1 entry)

8.) Leave a comment here telling me your favorite brunch dish or what you’ll be doing this Mother’s Day.   (1 entry)

NOTE:  COMMENTS MUST BE LEFT HERE ON THIS BLOG POST TO BE VALID! Comments left on Snappy Gourmet’s Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest page, sent by email or comment page, or anywhere else will NOT count and will not be entered in this giveaway.  I will be using random.org to choose entries.  The number next to your comment here on this post is your entry number.  If the comments with those chosen numbers are valid and follow all rules, they win, if not, new number(s) will be chosen.

OTHER RULES:
Up to 8 entries per person (no automated entries or cheating allowed). Entries that are not valid and multiple entries will not be considered and will be thrown out when choosing winners. Each entry must be a separate comment and not a reply to a comment and not multiple entries within one comment. You must be 18 years or older and a United States Resident to enter. Prizes will be mailed to U.S. addresses only and can not be mailed to P.O. Boxes. Contest is void where prohibited by law. Giveaway is free to enter and no purchase is necessary. All entries must be received by Thursday, May 10, 2012, 11:59pm EST. Your personal information from entries will only be used to contact winners and will not be sold or distributed.

WINNER SELECTION:
Snappy Gourmet will choose a winner using Random.org based on the number of valid entries on or around May 11, 2012. One prize per person. Winner will be notified by email and have 3 days to respond with their address before an alternate winner will be chosen and notified. Prize(s) may be sent by me or the sponsor of this giveaway.

DISCLOSURE:
All prizes were supplied by Land O’ Lakes.  Snappy Gourmet did not receive any personal compensation. All compensation that was offered is being given away as prizes.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

Hope all the moms out there have a great Mother’s Day and hope you enjoy my Breakfast Empanadas and Smoky Cheese Dip!

I’m just a poor blogger and all I ask for is a little love to keep me going. :) So please don’t forget to ENTER my current giveaways for some great prizes! If you like this recipe, please follow me on FACEBOOK or TWITTER. You can also sign-up to receive my recipes and posts by EMAIL or RSS. My recipes are original creations and owned by me unless otherwise noted. Please do not steal or copy my recipes or pictures without my permission. Thanks for visiting Snappy Gourmet!

Breakfast Empanadas with Smoky Cheese Dip & Giveaway
4.4 from 25 reviews

Print
Recipe type: Breakfast
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 32
Perfect bite-size dish for breakfast or brunch!
Ingredients
Empanadas:

  • 1 pound ground sausage
  • 8 Land O’ Lakes eggs
  • 2 (8 count) tubes large flaky biscuits
Egg Wash: (optional)

  • 1 Land O’ Lakes egg
  • milk (or water)
Dip:

  • 2 (8oz.) packages Land O’ Lakes (white) American Cheese Slices, chopped
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¼ teaspoon ancho chile powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • (optional add-ins – chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, salsa, chopped cilantro, chopped chilies or jalapenos, etc.)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper or silpats if desired.
  2. Brown sausage in large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove sausage (and excess grease) from pan.
  3. Break 8 eggs into small bowl, and whisk until well mixed. Cook and scramble eggs in large skillet over low heat until cooked through.
  4. Meanwhile, divide each biscuit in half horizontally. Spoon sausage and egg onto one side of biscuit. Fold biscuit over filling and using a fork or fingers, press to seal.
  5. If desired, whisk together additional egg and a little milk (or water), and brush over top of empanadas.
  6. Bake empanadas for about 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees F or until lightly browned.
  7. When empanadas are just about done, place cheese and 1 cup of milk in small microwave-safe bowl. Add ancho chile powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Microwave on high for 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until smooth. Add any desired add-ins if desired. Serve alongside empanadas.
Notes
SNAPPY TIPS: The cheese dip will thicken as it cools. You can reheat in the microwave or keep the dip in a fondue pot or small crockpot. You may have to adjust seasonings to personal taste. This recipe can easily be cut in half or multiplied. SNAPPY SUBSTITUTIONS: Instead of sausage you can substitute ham, bacon, or any ground meat or precooked vegetables. (For more recipes visit Snappy Gourmet at http://www.snappygourmet.com to sign up for an email/RSS subscription or visit Snappy Gourmet on Facebook or Twitter.)

 

Other bite-size dishes for brunch you may enjoy:

 

 

sweeps sites:
Cash Sweepstakes
Online Sweepstakes
Giveaway Scout
Contestgirl
Prizey

 

440 thoughts on “Breakfast Empanadas with Smoky Cheese Dip & Giveaway”

  9. Wendy

    We currently have no plans for Mother’s Day (though my daughter says it is the BEST day — not sure why :) ), but I totally want to try these!!!!

    Reply ↓
  24. Margie

    I usually spend Mother’s Day with my mom, possibly my sister and her family. I don’t really have a favorite brunch dish (the mimosas are usually really good though, LOL). The last brunch that we did on Mother’s Day was 12 years ago at a Polish American place.

    Reply ↓
  41. Monica Flatford

    My favorite Brunch dish is my hashbrown casserole. I love being able to prepare it the night before and just pop it in to bake in the morning.

    Reply ↓
  79. Lisa Evers

    I will be trying to talk my SISTER into having us all over
    for mother’s day so I dont have to clean :)

    Reply ↓
  94. Joanne Schultz

    My mother lives far away, so I’ll have sent a Mothers Day card & gift and I’ll phone her, but other than that, nothing special.

    Reply ↓
  113. Christina Tong

    I’ll be doing this Mother’s Day a Mushroom & Spinach Frittata, this is also my favorite dish!
    Love to win your wonderful giveaway, thank you.

    attct[at]aol[dot]com

    Reply ↓
  141. grace

    that little plate of food contains everything i’d want for breakfast…except pancakes. that’s my #1 all-time absolute favorite. :)

    Reply ↓
  149. Krista

    My favorite mother’s day brunch dish is chocolate chip pancakes with a smiley face on top drawn with whipped cream ;)

    Reply ↓
  152. Theresa Jenkins

    Mother’s Day >>>>Hope to meet all the kids and grandkids ,along with my parants and in-laws for Brunch<<<<that's the plan

    Reply ↓
  161. Amy Cimino

    My favorite brunch dish is veggie eggs benedict with spinach and roasted red peppers. For Mothers day we are going to brunch and then to Gator By The Bay in San Diego

    Reply ↓
  180. Julie M.

    What a perfect and simple brunch dish! I can’t believe it’s almost mother’s day either, time goes so fast doesn’t it? My favorite brunch dish is breakfast burritos; yum! Thanks for the opportunity. :)

    Reply ↓
  188. Kathryn

    My favorite brunch dish is a m casserole with eggs and bacon or sausage and broccoli or asparagus, that I can prepare the night before and just pop in the oven on Mother’s day

    Reply ↓
  250. Deborah Rosen

    On Mother’s Day, I’ll be on the computer…skyping with my son, daughter-in-law and grandson in the UK.

    Reply ↓
  253. Michelle Barbieri

    On Mother’s Day we will be going to brunch where I hope Eggs Benedict will be on the menu because that is my absolute favorite brunch/breakfast item.

    Reply ↓
  270. Dara Nix

    My favorite brunch dish is a casserole made with scrambled eggs, sausage, onions, green pepper & cheddar cheese!

    Reply ↓
  271. Babs

    Actually trying a Strata or Savory Bread Pudding. Never made one before but it looks fairly simple for a wonderful Mother’s Day brunch.

    Reply ↓
  293. april yedinak

    What a cute recipe idea! I will have to remember this, since my kids love ‘pocket’ foods.
    I follow you via FB]
    april yedinak
    ayed2016(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply ↓
  299. april yedinak

    My favorite brunch dish isn’t a dish- it’s a drink. I make a punch with clear strawberry flavored soda, frozen welch’s berry sunsplash drink and sliced lemons, limes, oranges and maraschino cherries. It is so yummy!!
    ayed2016(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply ↓
  309. Sunnymay

    My favorite brunch dish is a fritatta, since you can fix it ahead and warm up that morning.

    Reply ↓
  310. Sunnymay

    New email subscriber after reading your plea on the recipe for Dark Chocolate Strawberry Shorcakes with Amaretto Cream.

    Reply ↓
  326. Carolsue

    For Mother’s Day, it will be low-key. Just our family, dinner or BBQ, etc.
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

    Reply ↓
  338. Elaine W

    Thank you for the fabulous recipe! I always use LOL’s butter in my baking.
    Now, thanks to you, I know they have eggs, too!

    I’m following you and LOL’s on FB and Twitter! :)

    Reply ↓
  352. Lynn R

    we will be relaxing togther at home, watching movies, taking the dog for a walk, pretty much the same thing we do most Sundays. Don’t have a budget for Mother’s Day gifts, etc. My son will be showing me how to use the iPod Shuffle I won a couple of weeks ago – fun!

    Reply ↓
  353. Mahasin Wright

    This mother’s day I will be relaxing with breakfast in bed (egg benedict) and redeeming my SPA treatment in Delaware.

    Reply ↓
  359. carol s.

    My favorite brunch dish is a cheese/mushroom/tomato/spinach omelette topped with salsa and guacamole.

    Reply ↓
  369. ewhatley

    One of my fave breakfast dishes is a casserole with eggs, cheese and sausage. Serve with hashbrowns and biscuits. Yum!

    Reply ↓
  370. Audrey B

    I love brunch, any kind of omelet is usually everyone’s favorite for mothers day, I personally like a simple taylor ham and cheese sandwich reminds me of NJ where I grew up

    Reply ↓
  394. Kristen Hendricks

    I won’t be doing much for Mother’s Day since I don’t have children. I will probably just take my mom out to dinner with some other family members.

    Reply ↓
  430. Breanne

    Only because it’s my birthday too I want to go to my favorite restaurant. My husband’s deployed though so I’ll have to go with a friend.

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Rate this recipe: