Spain vs. Argentina Match-Day Empanadas with Spanish Romesco Sauce

Spain vs. Argentina Match-Day Empanadas with Spanish Romesco Sauce

It all comes down to this: Spain vs. Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Final! The jerseys are ready, the drinks are chilling and the watch-party snacks need to be worthy of the biggest match of the year.

Enter our Spain vs. Argentina Match-Day Empanadas with Spanish Romesco Sauce—a delicious appetizer that brings both teams together on one very irresistible platter.

Argentina brings the golden, savory empanadas. Spain brings the smoky romesco dipping sauce. We bring the napkins, because these are going to disappear fast!

A FIFA Watch-Party Appetizer Worth Cheering For

There are certain foods that were simply made for game day. They need to be easy to grab, easy to share and delicious enough to keep everyone happy—even when the match gets a little stressful.

These mini beef empanadas check every box.

They are flaky, golden and filled with savory seasoned beef, onions, garlic, herbs and chopped olives. Each empanada is brushed with extra virgin olive oil before baking, giving it a beautifully crisp finish and a little extra Mediterranean flavor.

Then comes the Spanish romesco sauce.

Smoky roasted red peppers, toasted almonds, garlic, paprika, sherry vinegar and extra virgin olive oil come together in a rich dipping sauce that might just steal the spotlight from the match.

Argentina may have the empanadas, but Spain definitely showed up with the sauce.

Spain vs. Argentina—But Make It Delicious

A World Cup Final watch party is the perfect excuse to have a little fun with the menu. Instead of choosing sides, this appetizer celebrates the flavors of both countries.

  • Team Argentina: Warm, savory beef empanadas wrapped in flaky golden pastry.
  • Team Spain: Bold and smoky romesco sauce made with roasted peppers, almonds and extra virgin olive oil.
  • Team Hungry: Everyone gathered around the platter waiting for the next batch.

Serve them with little Spanish and Argentine flags, arrange them around a bowl of romesco sauce and you have an easy FIFA watch-party centerpiece that looks festive without requiring hours of decorating.

The Perfect Handheld Soccer Snack

Let’s be honest: nobody wants to sit down with a knife and fork when the match is tied and the clock is running out.

Mini empanadas are the ultimate handheld soccer snack. Guests can grab one between plays, dip it into the romesco sauce and get right back to cheering.

They also work beautifully for:

  • World Cup watch parties
  • Soccer-themed gatherings
  • Game-day appetizer spreads
  • Summer entertaining
  • Wine and tapas nights
  • Casual family dinners

Just be warned: placing the platter too far from the television may cause complaints.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is Our MVP

Extra virgin olive oil may not be wearing a jersey, but it is definitely one of the most valuable players in this appetizer.

It adds flavor to the savory beef filling, helps the empanadas bake to a gorgeous golden brown and gives the Spanish romesco sauce its smooth, rich texture.

For this recipe, we love using a fresh, balanced extra virgin olive oil with enough personality to complement the roasted peppers, garlic and smoky paprika without overwhelming them.

It is one simple ingredient doing three very important jobs. That sounds like MVP behavior to us.

Make Them Before Kickoff

The best watch-party food lets you enjoy the party, too.

The empanada filling and romesco sauce can both be prepared ahead of time. You can even assemble the empanadas earlier in the day and keep them refrigerated until you are ready to bake.

Pop them into the oven before kickoff, arrange them on a big serving platter and place the romesco sauce right in the center. By the time your guests settle in, the empanadas will be warm, crispy and ready for dipping.

No last-minute kitchen panic. No missing the opening minutes. No complicated serving instructions.

Just bake, dip and cheer.

Build the Ultimate FIFA World Cup Watch-Party Spread

These Spain vs. Argentina empanadas are delicious all on their own, but they also make the perfect centerpiece for a larger FIFA party menu.

Surround them with marinated olives, roasted almonds, Spanish cheeses, cured meats, grilled vegetables and crusty bread with extra virgin olive oil for dipping.

For drinks, try a sparkling Spanish wine, a bold Argentine Malbec or a refreshing pitcher of citrus sparkling water.

The result is a colorful, flavorful spread that feels festive, elevated and still wonderfully easy to enjoy from the couch.

Everyone Wins with This Match-Day Appetizer

There may only be one FIFA World Cup champion, but there does not have to be a loser at the appetizer table.

These Spain vs. Argentina Match-Day Empanadas bring together flaky pastry, savory beef and a smoky Spanish romesco sauce in one delicious bite. They are playful, flavorful and perfectly suited for the excitement of a World Cup Final watch party.

So grab your jersey, gather your favorite people and prepare a platter before kickoff.

One final. Two incredible teams. And one appetizer everyone will be cheering for.

Find premium extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, spices and gourmet ingredients for your next watch party at The Little Shop of Olive Oils.

Spain vs. Argentina Match-Day Empanadas with Spanish Romesco Sauce

Golden Argentine-inspired beef empanadas meet smoky Spanish romesco sauce in this festive FIFA World Cup watch-party appetizer. Baked with extra virgin olive oil and filled with seasoned beef, onions and olives, these handheld bites are easy to make ahead and perfect for sharing during the match.

Author
The Little Shop of Olive Oils
Prep Time
35 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Servings
20
Category

Appetizer

Cuisine

Argentine, Spain

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup green olives, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons water or beef broth
  • 20 mini empanada wrappers, thawed if frozen
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
  • 1 cup drained roasted red peppers
  • 1/2 cup drained fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup toasted almonds
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Directions

  1. Prepare the filling. Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until softened.
  2. Add the garlic and cook for approximately 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  3. Add the ground beef, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, sea salt and black pepper. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking the beef apart with a wooden spoon, until completely browned.
  4. Carefully drain any excessive fat from the skillet. Stir in the chopped olives, tomato paste and water or beef broth. Cook for another 2 minutes, or until the mixture is moist but not watery.
  5. Remove the filling from the heat and allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes.
  6. Make the romesco sauce. Add the roasted red peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, toasted almonds, garlic, smoked paprika, sherry vinegar, sea salt, black pepper and optional red pepper flakes to a food processor.
  7. Pulse until finely chopped. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil. Blend until the sauce is mostly smooth but retains a little texture. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  8. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  9. Place approximately 1 tablespoon of cooled beef filling in the center of each mini empanada wrapper. Do not overfill.
  10. Lightly moisten the edge of each wrapper with water. Fold the wrapper over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly together, then crimp with a fork.
  11. Arrange the empanadas on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with extra virgin olive oil.
  12. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and golden and the filling reaches 165°F.
  13. Allow the empanadas to rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm with the Spanish romesco sauce for dipping.

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