Cheesy Beef Pockets: 14 Crispy Hand-Held Dinners From the Tortilla Video With 733,000 Reactions

Cheesy beef pockets are the dinner the internet cannot stop sharing, and one taste explains why. A Facebook video of crispy tortilla pockets stuffed with seasoned ground beef and melty cheese has 733,000 reactions and 88,000 shares, and another cook’s version passed 479,000. One pound of beef, a few tortillas or a ball of dough, and 20 minutes is all it takes. Here you will find the viral skillet version, flaky puff pastry and soft pizza dough pockets, cheeseburger and taco twists, plus classics like Nebraska runzas, pasties and Jamaican patties. These cheesy beef pockets are cheap, kid approved and perfect for game day or a busy December weeknight. Let’s get folding..

Crispy Cheesy Beef Pockets in Tortillas

This is the Facebook video that drew 733,000 reactions and 88,000 shares from home cooks. Seasoned ground beef and a big handful of melty cheese get folded inside a flour tortilla, then pressed in a skillet until the outside is golden and crackly. Cheesy beef pockets like these cost a few dollars, come together in 20 minutes, and kids eat every bite. Tip: fold the tortilla into a tight square so nothing leaks while it crisps. More fun ideas wait in our easy tortilla hacks..

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 onion (diced), 2 garlic cloves (minced), 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, 6 large flour tortillas, 2 cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella, 1 tbsp oil

How to make it: 1. Brown the beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains (160F), drain the fat, then stir in spices and tomato sauce and simmer 3 minutes. 2. Spoon beef into the center of each tortilla and top with cheese. 3. Fold the four sides in to make a square pocket. 4. Cook seam side down in an oiled skillet over medium heat 3 minutes per side until golden. 5. Rest 2 minutes, then slice and serve.

Puff Pastry Cheesy Beef Pockets

Flaky puff pastry wrapped around savory beef and cheese makes a pocket that shatters into buttery layers. They look fancy enough for a holiday party, but store-bought pastry makes them easy. Tip: keep the pastry cold and work quickly, since warm pastry will not puff. Cut a small vent in each top to let steam escape. Serve them as a game day snack with puff pastry appetizers. Would these disappear at your party?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 onion (diced), 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed), 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, 1 egg (beaten)

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400F. 2. Brown the beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains (160F), drain the fat, then season and cool 10 minutes. 3. Cut each pastry sheet into 4 squares. 4. Add beef and cheese, fold into triangles, crimp edges, brush with egg, and cut a small vent. 5. Bake 20 minutes until puffed and golden.

Cheesy Beef Pockets in Pizza Dough

Pizza dough turns ground beef and cheese into soft, golden pockets that look like they came from a pizzeria. Another Facebook cook’s version of cheesy beef pockets drew 479,500 reactions, and this bakery-style twist is just as easy. Tip: let the dough rest 10 minutes at room temperature so it rolls out without springing back. Brush these cheesy beef pockets with garlic butter right out of the oven. Serve with marinara for dipping, alongside pizza night dinners. Who wants the first one?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 onion (diced), 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 cup marinara, 1 lb pizza dough, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1 egg (beaten), 2 tbsp melted butter with 1 garlic clove (minced)

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400F and line a sheet pan. 2. Brown the beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains (160F), drain the fat, then stir in seasoning and marinara. 3. Divide dough into 6 pieces and roll each into a 7 inch circle. 4. Fill one half with beef and cheese, fold, and crimp with a fork, then brush with egg. 5. Bake 18 to 20 minutes and brush with garlic butter.

Baked Beef and Cheese Empanada-Style Pockets

Empanadas are the beloved hand pies of Latin American kitchens, and this baked version is a simple way to try them at home. A savory beef filling with olives and raisins hides in a tender, golden crust. Tip: let the filling cool completely so the dough does not tear. Crimp the edges with a fork for that classic look. Serve them with salsa next to savory empanadas. Have you made empanadas before?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion (diced), 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1/4 cup chopped green olives, 2 tbsp raisins (optional), 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack, 2 refrigerated pie crusts, 1 egg (beaten)

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400F. 2. Brown the beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains (160F), drain the fat, then stir in spices, olives and raisins and cool. 3. Cut 4 inch circles from the crusts. 4. Fill with beef and cheese, fold, crimp, and brush with egg. 5. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until golden.

Cheeseburger Cheesy Beef Pockets With Special Sauce

All the flavor of a classic cheeseburger, tucked inside a golden pocket. A tangy homemade special sauce, pickles and melty American cheese make it taste like the drive-thru favorite. These cheesy beef pockets are a fun way to stretch one pound of beef. Tip: chop the pickles small so every bite gets some. These cheesy beef pockets are perfect for a family movie night. Serve with fries and a side of cheeseburger casseroles. Will burger night ever be the same?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 onion (diced), salt and pepper, 6 large flour tortillas, 6 slices American cheese, 1/4 cup chopped dill pickles, shredded lettuce, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp relish, 1 tsp mustard

How to make it: 1. Stir mayonnaise, ketchup, relish and mustard into a special sauce. 2. Brown the beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains (160F), drain the fat and season with salt and pepper. 3. Lay a cheese slice on each tortilla, add beef, pickles and a spoon of sauce. 4. Fold into squares and cook seam side down in a skillet 3 minutes per side. 5. Serve with lettuce and extra sauce.

Nebraska Runzas

Runzas are a Nebraska favorite, soft yeast buns filled with ground beef, cabbage and onion. They are humble, hearty and taste like a Midwest grandma’s kitchen. Families in Nebraska have been making them for generations, often in big batches for the freezer. Tip: cook the cabbage until soft and sweet for the best flavor. Add a slice of cheese for a cheesy twist. Serve them warm with mustard next to grandma’s cabbage rolls. Have you ever had a runza?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion (diced), 3 cups shredded cabbage, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 lb pizza or bread dough, 6 slices Swiss or American cheese (optional), 1 egg (beaten)

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 375F. 2. Brown the beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains (160F), drain the fat, then add cabbage, salt and pepper and cook until soft. 3. Divide dough into 6 pieces and roll into rectangles. 4. Fill with beef mixture and cheese, fold into a rectangle and pinch closed, then brush with egg. 5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden.

Taco Cheesy Beef Pockets

Taco night meets pocket night with these crispy folded tortillas full of taco beef, beans and cheese. They are easy for kids to eat without the shell falling apart. Taco cheesy beef pockets are easy to wrap in foil for a lunchbox, too. Tip: add a spoon of refried beans as glue to hold the filling in place. Serve with sour cream, salsa and guacamole, and try more ideas from our golden fry bread tacos. Is Tuesday taco day at your house?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 2 tbsp taco seasoning, 1/3 cup water, 1 cup refried beans, 6 large flour tortillas, 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, sour cream and salsa

How to make it: 1. Brown the beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains (160F), drain the fat, then stir in taco seasoning and water and simmer 5 minutes. 2. Spread beans on each tortilla. 3. Add beef and cheese and fold into a square. 4. Cook seam side down in a skillet 3 minutes per side. 5. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

Beef and Potato Pasties

Pasties came to America with miners from Cornwall, and they are still a beloved lunch in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A flaky crust holds beef, potato, onion and rutabaga that bake into a hearty, savory meal. Miners carried them underground because they stayed warm for hours wrapped in cloth. Tip: dice the vegetables small so they cook through in the oven. Serve with gravy or ketchup and pair with cozy pub dinners. Have you ever tried a pasty?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef or diced steak, 1 cup diced potato, 1/2 cup diced rutabaga or carrot, 1/2 onion (diced), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 2 tbsp butter, 4 refrigerated pie crusts, 1 egg (beaten)

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400F. 2. Toss raw beef, potato, rutabaga, onion, salt and pepper. 3. Spoon filling onto half of each crust and add a pat of butter. 4. Fold, crimp, cut a vent, and brush with egg. 5. Bake 45 to 50 minutes until golden and the filling reaches 160F.

Philly-Style Beef and Pepper Pockets

Thin slices of beef, sweet peppers, onions and gooey provolone make these pockets taste like a famous Philadelphia sandwich. They are hearty, cheesy and perfect for game day. The provolone melts into every corner and pulls in long strings when you bite in. Tip: freeze the beef 20 minutes before slicing so you can cut it paper thin. Swap in ground beef if you want to save time. Serve with game day dishes on the coffee table. Who is ready for kickoff?

You will need: 1 lb thinly sliced beef steak or ground beef, 1 green pepper (sliced), 1 onion (sliced), 1 tbsp oil, salt and pepper, 6 slices provolone, 1 lb pizza dough, 1 egg (beaten)

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400F. 2. Cook peppers and onion in oil until soft, then add beef and cook until no pink remains. 3. Divide dough into 6 pieces and roll into circles. 4. Fill with beef mix and provolone, fold, crimp, and brush with egg. 5. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until golden.

Beef Samosa-Style Triangles

Samosas are a beloved snack across India, and these baked beef triangles bring those warm spices to the dinner table. Ground beef, peas and potatoes are seasoned with garam masala and wrapped in pastry. Like most hand pies, these freeze well before baking. Tip: fold the pastry tight at the corners so the filling stays in. Serve with a cool yogurt dip and pair with street food from around the world. Would your family try these?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion (diced), 1 cup diced cooked potato, 1/2 cup frozen peas, 2 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt, 2 sheets puff pastry, 1 egg (beaten)

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400F. 2. Brown the beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains (160F), drain the fat, then add potato, peas and spices. 3. Cut pastry into squares. 4. Fill, fold into triangles, crimp, and brush with egg. 5. Bake 20 minutes until golden.

Korean Bulgogi Cheesy Beef Pockets

Sweet and savory bulgogi beef is a Korean favorite, and it makes a delicious pocket filling. Soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and a little brown sugar coat the beef in a glossy sauce. The sweet glaze and melty cheese make these a hit with teens. Tip: grate a little pear into the sauce for an authentic sweet touch. Add mozzarella for a cheesy pull. Serve with kimchi and Korean dinners at home. Ready to try something new?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 garlic cloves (minced), 2 green onions (sliced), 1/4 cup grated pear (optional), 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 6 large flour tortillas

How to make it: 1. Brown the beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains (160F), drain the fat. 2. Stir in soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, pear and green onions and simmer until glossy. 3. Spoon beef and cheese onto tortillas. 4. Fold into squares. 5. Cook seam side down in a skillet 3 minutes per side.

Jamaican Beef Patties

Jamaican beef patties are the golden, flaky hand pies sold in bakeries from Kingston to New York City. The crust gets its sunny color from turmeric or curry powder, and the beef filling is warm with thyme, allspice and a little hot pepper. Many people tuck one inside soft coco bread for a hearty lunch. Tip: chill the dough well so it stays flaky in the oven. Add a slice of cheddar before folding for a cheesy twist. Love island flavors? Try our oxtail dinners next. Would you eat yours in coco bread?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 onion (diced), 2 garlic cloves (minced), 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp allspice, 1 tsp curry powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup beef broth, 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs, 2 refrigerated pie crusts, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 6 slices cheddar (optional), 1 egg (beaten)

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400F. 2. Brown the beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains (160F), drain the fat, then add spices and broth and simmer 5 minutes. 3. Stir in breadcrumbs and cool. 4. Rub turmeric into the crusts, cut into 6 inch circles, fill, fold and crimp with a fork. 5. Brush with egg and bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden.

Folded Smash Burger Tortillas

Smash burger tacos went viral for a reason. Ground beef is pressed thin right onto a tortilla, seared until crispy, then topped with cheese and folded. They crisp up like a burger and a quesadilla had a happy accident in the pan. Tip: press the beef in a very thin layer so it cooks through as the tortilla crisps. Serve with pickles and burger sauce, and find more ideas in griddle recipes. Will this be your new favorite burger?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, salt and pepper, 8 small flour tortillas, 8 slices American cheese, pickles, shredded lettuce, burger sauce

How to make it: 1. Divide beef into 8 balls. 2. Press each ball very thin onto a tortilla and season. 3. Cook beef side down in a skillet over medium high heat 3 minutes until browned and cooked through. 4. Flip, add cheese, and cook 1 minute. 5. Fold, add pickles and lettuce, and serve.

Lebanese Beef Fatayer

Fatayer are the little hand pies of Lebanese home kitchens, and the beef version is pure comfort. A soft yeast dough wraps around ground beef cooked with onion, warm spices, a squeeze of lemon and toasted pine nuts. They are baked, not fried, so they stay tender and golden. Tip: pinch the seams firmly so they hold their shape in the oven. A spoon of feta inside makes them extra cheesy. Serve them with yogurt dip and our Mediterranean appetizers. Which pocket will you bake first?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion (finely diced), 1 tsp seven spice or allspice, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 cup pine nuts (toasted), 1/2 cup crumbled feta (optional), 1 lb pizza or bread dough, 2 tbsp olive oil

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400F. 2. Brown the beef with onion until no pink remains (160F), drain the fat, then stir in spices, lemon juice and pine nuts and cool. 3. Divide dough into 12 balls and roll each into a 4 inch circle. 4. Add filling and feta, pinch into triangles or boats, and brush with oil. 5. Bake 15 to 18 minutes until golden.