15-Min Cheesy Beef Arepa
Crispy-outside, gooey-inside arepa stuffed with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese. A Colombian street-food classic that comes together faster than you can heat the skillet.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 32g
Ingredients
- ½ lb ground beef
- 1 cup white cheddar or mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 whole pre-made arepas (frozen or store-bought)
- ½ tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp neutral cooking oil
Instructions
- 1
Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high until it shimmers, about 60 seconds.
- 2
Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no pink remains, 4–5 minutes.
- 3
Stir in cumin and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.
- 4
Carefully slice each arepa in half horizontally to create a pocket (watch for steam).
- 5
Stuff each arepa pocket with beef, then top with cheese (about 1/4 cup per arepa).
- 6
Place filled arepas in the skillet and pan-fry 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cheese melts.
- 7
Serve hot.
Tools you’ll need
- 10-inch nonstick or cast-iron skillet
- wooden spoon
- small sharp knife
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