Baked Beef Flautas with Queso Dip: A Tex-Mex Delight
Ingredients
For Flautas:
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
12 small flour tortillas
Cooking spray
For Queso Dip:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup diced green chilies
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
For Flautas:
Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Cook Beef Mixture: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and onions are translucent.
Seasoning: Stir in ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
Assemble Flautas: Spoon the beef mixture onto the center of each flour tortilla. Roll them tightly and place them seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Baking: Lightly spray the tops of the flautas with cooking spray to help achieve a crispy texture. Bake them in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
For Queso Dip:
Prepare Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it turns golden brown.
Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes smooth and thickened.
Cheese Mixture: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until they are melted and the mixture is creamy.
Add Flavor: Stir in the diced tomatoes and diced green chilies. Season the queso dip with salt and pepper to taste.
