Creamy Ground Beef Flautas (Oven Baked)

These Ground Beef Flautas are sure to be a dinnertime hit! Flour tortillas rolled up with a creamy & cheesy ground beef mixture and then baked in the oven until crispy. No need for a deep fryer with this easy dinner idea.

I always make my Best Cafe Rio Dressing (Copycat Recipe) to dip these flautas into. It’s so yummy!

Crispy Oven Baked Flautas with Ground Beef

I love that these creamy ground beef flautas are oven baked and get super crispy and crunchy, without the need for a deep fryer. Soft flour tortillas are filled with a mild, creamy, and cheesy ground beef mixture. The secret to that ‘deep fry’ crunch is to spray the flautas with cooking spray before baking!

For our other favorites be sure and try these Quick & Easy Chicken Flautas or these family favorite Honey Lime Chicken Taquitos which have the perfect sweet & mildly spicy combo. 

Ingredients Needed

• Lean Ground Beef – I use 93/7 or 96/4 ground beef. You will drain any excess grease once it’s cooked, so it probably does not matter much what percentage fat of ground beef you use. 
• Mild Taco Seasoning Packet – The mild version tastes better but you can certainly use whichever one you like (regular, hot, etc.).
• Light Brown Sugar – Brown sugar is always my ‘secret ingredient’ in taco meat. It makes such a difference. A little bit is all you need. 
• Cream Cheese – Make sure this is well softened before adding it in. This will help the cream cheese mix in smoothly and you won’t end up with those little chunks of cream cheese in the ground beef mixture. 
• Sour Cream – It’s best to use full-fat sour cream because it’s a thicker texture. More creamy. 
• Salsa
• Shredded Cheese – I prefer Colby Jack or Shredded Cheddar cheese but you can use any variety of cheese that you want. For best results, shred the cheese from a block on a cheese grater rather than buying pre-shredded cheese. 
• Flour Tortillas – The fajita sized flour tortillas are recommended but you can use smaller ones, or larger, it just depends on how big you want the flautas to be. They are about 6-inch in diameter and come in a pack of 20 (which is what the recipe calls for).

Step-by-Step Instructions For How To Make Creamy Ground Beef Flautas

Making these flautas is so easy! Read the easy to follow steps below, and be sure to read to the bottom where there is a detailed recipe card, a printable option, and a pin it button so you can save the recipe for later. 

• Prep : Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet/half sheet baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. 
• Cook Ground Beef : Brown and crumble the ground beef in a skillet pan, over medium-high heat, until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the pan. 
• Add Other Ingredients : Add the brown sugar, taco seasoning, sour cream, cream cheese, and salsa. Stir and mix until it’s combined well. 
• Cheese : Take the pan off the heat and stir in the shredded cheese. 
• Make The Flautas : Place a spoonful of ground beef mixture onto a flour tortilla and roll it up tightly. Place seam-side down on the prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas. 
• Bake : Bake into the oven for 15 minutes or until they are golden brown. 

Ground Beef Flautas FAQ’s

• Serving Suggestions for Flautas

  • I always recommend serving these faults alongside dipping sauce. Sour cream, Creamy Guacamole, Homemade Pico de Gallo, or Salsa Verde Guacamole are all great options. 
  • For a spicier dip try this Jalapeño Ranch Dip, White Queso Dip or Queso Dip. 
  • Side dish options are Easy Mexican Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice, or serve it with some tortilla chips and Cowboy Salsa. 

• Can I Freeze Them?

  • Yes you can! You can either freeze flautas uncooked or cooked.
    • How to Freeze Uncooked Flautas : Simply follow the recipe until you get to the baking part. Instead of putting the cookie sheet into the oven, place the flautas into the freezer. Once frozen, put them into a freezer-safe Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. It’s important to freeze the flautas individually first so that they don’t stick together once frozen. When ready to bake, allow the flautas to thaw in the fridge before following the recipe for baking instructions. 
    • How to Freeze Cooked Flautas : Follow the recipe as written and allow the flautas to cool completely to room temperature. Freeze them individually on the cookie sheet first, and then place them into a freezer-safe Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw in the fridge before warming them up in the oven, air fryer, or microwave (a microwave will yield a softer flour tortilla exterior). 

• Can I Use Corn Tortillas? What Tortillas Are Best For Flautas?

  • Flautas are traditionally made with flour tortillas. Taquitos are traditionally made with corn tortillas. But I always use flour tortillas no matter the recipe name. my family prefers flour tortillas over corn. 
  • Corn tortillas can be used if that’s what you prefer. My advice if using corn tortillas, is to microwave about 5-8 at a time (wrapped in a damp cloth) and then fill those ones, and then microwave another batch and fill them. Corn tortillas are not as pliable as flour so they are harder to roll up into a tight roll. It’s easier if they are warm and more flexible. 

Recipe Tips & Variations

Here are a few of my helpful tips, and variation ideas, so that you can have success recreating this recipe in your own kitchen ♥

• Recipe Yield : This recipe makes 20 flautas when using the fajita size flour tortillas. 
• Storage : Leftover flautas can be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave (this will yield a softer flour tortilla), in the air fryer, or in the oven. My family actually does not mind the softer flour tortilla when they’re warmed up in the microwave. Plus, the microwave is a much easier option than the oven for sure and maybe the air fryer. 
• Make It Spicy! : This recipe can easily be customized to your preferred spice level. Add some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, add a can of diced green chiles, or try using shredded Pepper Jack cheese instead. Another option is to use a regular packet of taco seasoning or a hot & spicy packet of taco seasoning, and some hot salsa. 
• Cooking Spray : Spraying the tops of the flautas before baking is the key to a really crispy, fried-like exterior. You don’t need to saturate them but rather just give them a light spray. I also love adding some kosher salt on top but that is totally optional.
• Flavored Cream Cheese : Feel free to use a flavored cream cheese in place of the original stuff. 4 ounces is about half of a container of flavored cream cheese. 
• Salsa : Use any salsa you want here. Black bean and corn, hot & spicy salsa, picante sauce, chunky salsa, salsa verde, etc. 
• Ground Meat : Ground turkey or even ground chicken can all be substituted in this recipe. 

More Mexican-Inspired Dinner Recipes You’ll Love

• Cheesy Chicken Taquitos – Lots of shredded cheese + cream cheese + shredded chicken!
• One Pot Taco Pasta – One pot is all you need for this complete meal with ground beef, pasta, beans, and cheese. 
• Oven Baked Chicken Quesadillas – Make lots of quesadillas at once utilizing a cookie sheet.
• Ground Beef Sheet Pan Quesadillas – Perfectly portioned squares of quesadilla that get really crispy in the oven. 
• Baked Double Decker Tacos – Taco Bell copycat that tastes better and it’s healthier!
• Easy Taco Soup – All the best flavors of tacos in soup. Don’t forget all the toppings. 
• Taco Salad Casserole – You’ll love this twist to the classic taco salad recipe. 
• Fiesta Chicken Casserole – Beans, chicken, corn, pasta, and cheese in this all-in-one casserole dish.