Description
These Beef & Cheese Flautas are a deliciously crispy and cheesy Mexican-inspired appetizer or snack. Made with seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar cheese, and rolled tightly in small flour tortillas, they are baked to golden perfection for a satisfying crunch. Perfect for parties or a tasty meal, these flautas combine spicy, savory flavors with easy preparation and baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
- â…” cup salsa
- ¼ cup water
Assembly
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 12 small flour tortillas (fajita size)
- Toothpicks
- Cooking spray
- Kosher salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF to prepare for baking the flautas.
- Cook Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease. Return the beef to the skillet and stir in the taco seasoning, salsa, and water. Let this mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Warm Tortillas: Wrap the flour tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave until they are warm and pliable. This makes rolling easier and prevents cracking.
- Assemble Flautas: Divide the beef mixture evenly among the tortillas, placing about 1/12 of the meat on each. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of the beef, then roll each tortilla tightly. Secure each roll with a toothpick to hold its shape during baking.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange the flautas on a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack on top. Lightly spray the flautas with cooking spray and sprinkle kosher salt over them to enhance flavor.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes or until the flautas are crispy and golden brown, turning them if needed for even crispiness.
Notes
- Using a wire rack allows the heat to circulate and keeps the flautas crispy all around.
- Adjust the spice level by choosing a mild or hot taco seasoning mix.
- You can substitute shredded Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend for cheddar for a different flavor.
- Make sure tortillas are warm and flexible before rolling to prevent cracking or tearing.
- Serve with guacamole, sour cream, or extra salsa for dipping.
