Cheesy Beef Puff Pastry Twists

There is something utterly irresistible about flaky, buttery layers of puff pastry baked to a golden crisp and filled with savory seasoned beef and melted cheese. Cheesy Beef Puff Pastry Twists look and taste like they came straight from an upscale bakery, yet they are surprisingly simple to assemble at home.

Ingredients

• The Base & Filling:
  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed according to package instructions)
  • ½ lb lean ground beef
  • ¼ cup finely diced yellow onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste or marinara sauce (to add savory depth)
  • ½ tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• The Cheese & Finish:
  • 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or Gruyère cheese
  • 1 large egg (beaten with 1 tsp of water for an egg wash)
  • A pinch of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or flaky sea salt for the top

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cook the Beef Filling:
   • In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onions until the meat is fully browned and the onions are soft (drain any excess grease).
   • Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, then remove from heat and let it cool slightly so it doesn’t melt your pastry dough.
3. Roll Out the Puff Pastry: Unfold your thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out slightly with a rolling pin to smooth out the creases.
4. Assemble the Filling:
   • Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the bottom half of the pastry sheet, pressing it down gently.
   • Sprinkle your shredded cheese in an even layer right over the top of the beef.
5. Fold and Twist:
   • Fold the top half of the puff pastry over the filling to create a neat rectangle, pressing down lightly to seal the edges.
   • Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the rectangle vertically into about 8 to 10 equal strips.
   • Take each strip, hold both ends, and gently twist them 2 to 3 times before placing them onto your prepared baking sheet, pressing the ends down slightly so they hold their shape.
6. Egg Wash and Bake:
   • Brush the top of each twist generously with your beaten egg wash (this gives them that gorgeous, glossy golden finish), and sprinkle with sesame seeds or flaky salt.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, deeply golden brown, and the cheese is bubbling.
7. Serve Warm: Let them cool for a few minutes on the pan before serving alongside marinara sauce, warm garlic butter, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Chef’s Tips:

• Keep the Pastry Cold: Puff pastry relies on cold butter layers to puff up in the oven. If your dough starts getting too soft or sticky while you are twisting, pop the assembled tray into the fridge for 10 minutes before baking!