Creamy Ground Beef Flautas

Stacked flautas topped with cheese, lettuce, and sour cream.

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.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American, Mexican

Keyword creamy ground beef flautas, ground beef flautas, oven baked flautas recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 183kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 packet mild taco seasoning
1 teaspoon light brown sugar
4 ounces cream cheese ^softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup shredded cheese ^{any variety}
20 fajita size flour tortillas

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Prepare a cookie sheet by lining with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a skillet pan, over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
Add the taco seasoning, brown sugar, cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa. Stir until combined together and the cream cheese is melted smoothly into the mixture.
^{* Make sure the cream cheese is well softened so it melts in easily and smoothly. I microwave the cream cheese for about 25-30 seconds to get it warmed & soft.}
Remove the pan from the stove and add in the shredded cheese. Stir until it’s melted and well combined.
Microwave the flour tortillas for about 1 minute to soften them so they are easier to roll and work with.
Add a scoop of the ground beef filling on the bottom center of the tortilla. Roll it up tightly and place it seam side down on the prepared cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas and beef mixture.
Lightly spray the tops of the flautas with cooking spray and sprinkle with kosher salt (salt is optional).
^{* It's about 2 tablespoons (maybe slightly more) of the ground beef mixture per flauta. I never measure it, I just use a large spoon to add some on.}
Bake for 15 minutes or until the flautas are golden brown.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.

Notes

Shredded Cheese : I always recommend shredding cheese from a block of cheese with a cheese grater. It tastes better and melts better compared to the pre shredded store-bought cheese. I like to use either Colby Jack cheese or Cheddar cheese. You can use anything here; Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, etc.

Recipe Tips -

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.

Flautas FAQ's -

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.

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