Baked Mexican three cheese flautas is the perfect dish to entertain friends and family on any occasion, but especially during the Cinco de Mayo. What is a flauta? Read on to learn, then make them yourself.
Flauta History
Flautas hail from Mexico. Flautas means flute in Spanish, which is a very accurate word for them. They look like tiny flutes, rolled to perfection. Mexicans eat flautas frequently and all over the country. They're also known as taquitos, or tacos dorados. No one quite knows exactly where they come from in Mexico, but the fillings vary depending which state you're in. You can typically find them at street food vendors or farmers markets. In the United States, most authentic Mexican restaurants will serve them too with all the fixings. A standard flauta will always have cheese in it, but many restaurants choose to serve flautas stuffed with seasoned beef or chicken too. On top goes the crema, lettuce, onion, some crumbled cheese, and avocado.
The best thing about Pace is that it goes well with just about everything. Think chicken, enchiladas, beef tips, just don't put it on ice cream, OK! I think you will love the taste of baked Mexican three cheese flautas!
If you don't have Pace laying around or just want to use up some fresh ingredients, you can feel free to make your own salsa from scratch. Here's my recipe for a blended salsa verde with mango.
Make it your go to condiment, and you will not be disappointed. Whether you are planning on hearty appetizers, main dishes or just a dipping sauce.
Easy to put together.
How to make flautas that please a crowd? It's easy. First, put the cheese filling on the edge of the tortilla shell, then roll it up like a cigar. Fry in a little oil, just to get the flautas slightly brown. Place on a baking tray. Pour Pace Salsa Verde on top, and sprinkle on some delicious queso fresco, and bake.
Flautas are great for vegetarians, since they only contain cheese and vegetables at the base. They're great for dinner parties or just having some friends over too, since they are so customizable and you can easily build upon them.
What else can I tell you about Pace? Well, for one the texture. Because different people have different texture and spice preferences this delicious salsa comes in various textures and heat levels to suit as many palates as possible. Whether you like your salsa chunky and spicy or mild and smooth, Pace caters to all salsa varieties.
When you bite into baked Mexican three cheese flautas you get to experience many flavors and textures. Crunchy shells, creamy cheese filling, and the saucy goodness of salsa verde.
One of the main ingredients in salsa verde is tomatillos, a small green tomato covered in a papery husk. They belong to the same botanical family as eggplant, tomatoes, and petunias. Tomatillos were originally cultivated by the Aztecs; and were an integral part of their diet. These little green tomatoes are less sweet than regular red tomatoes, and are slightly more acidic. Tomatillos are denser and less watery too, similar to the texture of an unripe tomato.
If you can't get your hands on some Pace salsa verde, feel free to substitute with salsa rojo. The main difference between the two is the use of tomatillos in the verde and regular tomatoes in the rojo. It won't change the taste too much. It's better to have a red salsa than no salsa at all!
Don't forget to share this flautas recipe with your friends. And if you have time, leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you.
Looking for more recipes?
Sign up for my free recipe newsletter to get new recipes in your inbox each week! You can also find me sharing more inspiration in Pinterest and Facebook
📖 Recipe
Baked Mexican Three Cheese Flautas
Ingredients
- 8 flour tortillas 6"
- 1 cup Smoked Gouda grated
- 1 cup queso blanco crumbled
- 1 cup Cotija cheese crumbles
- 1 dash nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cracked pepper
- 2 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- 1 egg beaten
- 4 tablespoon vegetable oil for frying
Toppings
- ⅔ cup salsa verde
- 2 tablespoon queso blanco crumbled
- 1 Roma tomato seeded, cored, diced
- ¼ cup green onion sliced
Instructions
To prepare filling
- In a bowl mix Gouda, queso blanco and Cotija. Add pepper and nutmeg and mix well. Stir in the cilantro.
- Add beaten egg to the cheese mixture and mix well.
To make the flautas
- Preheat oven to 350'F.
- Evenly divide the cheese and egg mixture onto the end of each tortilla shell. Roll up tightly to form a cigar shape, and secure with a toothpick.
- Heat oil, and pan fry flautas until brown on all sides.
- Place flautas on the bottom of a 9"x12" baking pan. Pour the Pace® Salsa Verde over the top of the flautas.
- Sprinkle queso blanco over the top.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and pour ½ cup Pace® Salsa Verde on top. Sprinkle with tomatoes, green onions and drizzle with sour cream.
Jenni LeBaron says
These look great! I love a good verde sauce on top of tacos, burritos, and flautas.
Analida says
Thanks for commenting Jenni. Yes, salsa verde is AWESOME, my husband convinced me of this. 🙂
Abby @ WinsteadWandering says
I love flautas, but THREE cheeses? Whoa. I need these soon! I love that you pan fry them first to get them nice and crispy before baking. Great idea!
Analida says
Yes, Abby. The light pan frying gives the flautas a nice crunchy texture.
Jessica Robinson says
OMG- YUM! These look so delicious and rather simple to make. Thanks for sharing such an authentic Mexican recipe packed with flavor!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
Flautas have always been one of my favorite Mexican options. These look great and easy to make!
Analida says
Indeed Kathryn, flautas are easy to make. If you try my recipe, let me know how you like them. 🙂 Have a wonderful day.
Sarah says
I've never eaten flautas! They look yummy.. and I do LOVE pace salsa! It's my favorite!
Wendy | Around My Family Table says
Shut the front door! These look killer...I'm adding them to my menu plan for after the holidays!
Analida says
LOL!!! Thanks you for your enthusiastic comment. Let me know how you like them.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
We love our Mexican flavors and I think it's such a great idea that you brown the tortillas after you filled them. Your baked dish would be great any night of the week. Certainly full of flavor.
Analida says
Thanks so much for your kind comments Marisa. Yes, Mexican flavors are so awesome. I hope you enjoy these Three Cheese Flautas.
Amanda Mason says
Pace is my all time favorite brand when it comes to salsa!! I make so many dishes with Pace! I've loved every flavor I've tried! These look yummy...perfect for super bowl in a couple of months!
Analida says
Hi Amanda! I love Pace salsa also. They have the right formula.
Helene says
Crunchy Cheesy,... I am in for this! I have never tasted flautas before but if I am not mistaken I had seen it somewhere in the past. I like the addition of the salsa on top too. It must be so flavorful, YUM! 🙂
Analida says
Hi Helene! I think you will like flautas. The salsa on top I think makes it! 🙂
Julie says
Mexican food is my favorite - this looks like the ultimate splurge meal! Cheesy and fried? Count me in!
Analida says
Hi Julie! Isn't Mexican food awesome? Hope you get to try these three cheese flautas. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
These look SO delicious! I am sure baking them makes them so melty and delicious! I've never tried the Pace green salsa -- need to pick it up!
Analida says
Thanks Michelle. The Pace green salsa is really good, and there are so many things you can make with it. 🙂
Amy Nash says
Flautas are a favorite at our house as well! I love these cheesy ones that you have come up with! And we love using Pace products as well.
Analida says
Hi Amy! I am glad you and your family like flautas. The cheesy ones are certainly yummy. If you have a chance to try them, let me know how you like them.
Sara says
You had my attention at 3 cheese! Yummy!
Analida says
🙂 Isn't cheese awesome? Thanks for commenting.