Some of my most cherished memories are tied to the dinner table. Growing up, Mom’s kitchen was truly the heart of our home, always buzzing with laughter, stories, and the comforting aroma of something delicious on the stove. No matter how hectic the day was, she always made sure dinner was our time to reconnect. I remember one evening when we were all just beat after a long week, and she whipped up her famous baked chicken with roasted veggies. It wasn’t fancy, but it felt like the warmest hug on a plate! That’s the magic of Family Favorite Dinner Recipes – they’re not about perfection, but about comfort and love. These easy refried bean flautas are exactly that kind of recipe: quick, super budget-friendly, and guaranteed to be a hit with the kiddos!
Why You’ll Love These Easy Refried Bean Flautas
Seriously, these flautas are a weeknight dinner dream! Here’s why they’ll become a staple in your home:
- Super Speedy: You can get these from start to finish in about 35 minutes, which is way faster than takeout!
- So Simple: The filling is just a few ingredients mixed together, and rolling them up is a breeze.
- Budget-Friendly: Refried beans and tortillas won’t break the bank, making this a great meal when you’re watching your spending.
- Kid Approved: What kid doesn’t love a crispy, cheesy roll-up? They’re fun to dip and delicious!
Gather Your Ingredients for Family Favorite Dinner Recipes
Getting these yummy flautas ready is super easy because you probably have most of this stuff in your pantry already! Trust me, keeping a well-stocked pantry makes whipping up Family Favorite Dinner Recipes a total breeze. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Flautas:
- One 15-ounce can of refried beans (homemade is great, but store-bought works perfectly too!)
- 1/4 cup salsa, plus a little extra for serving later
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder (this gives it a nice little kick!)
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese (or your favorite cheddar if that’s what you have!)
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced (this is optional, but it adds a nice fresh bite!)
- 14 six-inch flour or corn tortillas (I like to use flour because they roll easier, but corn works just fine!)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, just for brushing on top
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, for sprinkling right before baking
For Dipping:
- Easy guacamole
- More salsa!
- Sour cream (or maybe some spicy sour cream mixed with your favorite hot sauce?)
How to Make Easy Refried Bean Flautas: Step-by-Step
Honestly, making these flautas is so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them a million times already! Trust me, these steps are super simple and lead to some seriously delicious results.
Preheating and Prep
First things first, let’s get that oven hot! Preheat it to 425°F. Then, grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. This is my little trick to make cleanup a breeze – no one likes scrubbing pans, right?
Creating the Flavorful Bean Filling
In a big bowl, just toss in your refried beans, salsa, and that chili powder. Give it all a good stir until it’s nice and combined. Then, fold in the shredded cheese and sliced green onion if you’re using it. Mix it all up until it looks like a delicious, cheesy bean dream!
Softening Tortillas for Easy Rolling
This is the secret to not having your tortillas crack! If you’re using corn tortillas, pop them in the microwave for about 30 seconds with a damp paper towel. Even with flour tortillas, a quick zap can make them more pliable and easier to roll nice and tight. You want them soft enough to bend without breaking.
Rolling Your Family Favorite Dinner Recipes
Okay, grab a tortilla and lay it flat. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of that yummy bean mixture onto the bottom half. Now, roll it up from the bottom, nice and tight, like a little burrito. Place it seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet. Keep going until all your flautas are rolled. It’s like making your favorite dinner recipes roll up perfectly!
Baking to Crispy Perfection
Once they’re all lined up, give each flauta a little brush of olive oil on top. Sprinkle them with a pinch of kosher salt. Pop them into the hot oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’re looking for them to be nice and crispy, with a beautiful golden-brown color. That’s the sign they’re ready to be devoured!
Tips for Success with Family Favorite Dinner Recipes
You know, making these flautas is pretty forgiving, but a few little tricks really make them extra special. When I first started making them, I learned pretty quickly that not all tortillas are created equal! Flour tortillas tend to roll up the easiest without cracking, but if you love corn, just warm them really well – that makes all the difference. Also, don’t overstuff them! You want just enough filling so they roll up nicely. If the bean mixture seems a bit too stiff, a tiny splash more salsa can help create a smoother consistency. Remember that family favorite chicken recipe I love? It’s all about those little tips that make a dish shine!
Serving Suggestions for Your Family Dinner
These flautas are honestly delicious all on their own, but they are even better with some fun sides and dips! Besides the salsa, guacamole, and sour cream we mentioned, think about adding a side of Mexican rice or some simple seasoned black beans. A fresh pico de gallo is always a winner, too, for a little extra zing. Sometimes, I even whip up a quick corn salad with some lime juice and cilantro. It’s all about making your family dinner feel like a fiesta!
Make-Ahead and Storage for These Quick Meals
One of the best parts about these quick meals is how great they are for making ahead! If you want to get a jump start, you can totally make your refried bean filling a day or two in advance and keep it tucked away in the fridge. Just make sure to cover it tight.
Now, for freezing the flautas themselves (which is a total lifesaver!), let them cool down completely after baking first. Then, carefully arrange them in a single layer in an airtight container. You can even put a piece of parchment paper between layers if you’re stacking them. Pop them in the freezer. To reheat, just bake them in a 350°F oven for about 10 to 12 minutes, until they’re all warm and crispy again. It’s like magic for busy nights!
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Favorite Dinner Recipes
Got questions about these tasty flautas? I’ve got answers!
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour for these Family Favorite Dinner Recipes?
You sure can! If you use corn tortillas, just be extra careful when you heat them up. They can be a bit more brittle, so give them a good zap in the microwave with a damp paper towel. This little step really helps them bend without cracking when you roll them up.
How can I make these flautas spicier?
If you love a little heat, you’ve got options! Stir in some red pepper flakes with the bean mixture, or swap out your regular salsa for a spicier version. You could even add a dash of your favorite hot sauce right into the filling. For serving, a drizzle of sriracha or a spicy sour cream dip is always a good idea!
What are the best dipping sauces for these Easy Weeknight Dinners?
Beyond the classic salsa, guac, and sour cream, try a creamy cilantro-lime crema or a smoky chipotle crema. A tangy tomatillo salsa is fantastic too, and if you like it really simple, just a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the top can make them extra bright and delicious!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates, because the exact nutritional info can change based on the brands of ingredients you use and how much salsa you slather on! But, for one delicious refried bean flauta, you’re generally looking at around:
- Calories: About 150-180
- Fat: Around 5-8g
- Protein: Roughly 6-8g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 15-20g
Pretty good for such a tasty and easy dinner, right?
Share Your Family Favorite Dinner Recipes Creations!
I would just LOVE to see your amazing refried bean flautas! Snap a pic and tag me on social media – I’m always looking for new ways you guys make these Family Favorite Dinner Recipes your own. And don’t forget to leave a quick rating if you enjoyed them! Your feedback means the world.
Easy Refried Bean Flautas
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, mix the refried beans, salsa, chili powder, shredded cheese, and green onion (if using).
- If you are using 100% corn tortillas, microwave them for about 30 seconds with a damp paper towel. This helps prevent cracking and makes them easier to roll. If your tortillas seem brittle, heating them before rolling is helpful.
- Lay a tortilla on a work surface. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the bean mixture onto the bottom half of the tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly from the bottom. Place the flauta seam-side down on the baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining tortillas.
- Brush the tops of the flautas with oil and sprinkle them with salt. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until crisp and browned. Serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Notes
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Megan Lawrence is a seasoned Recipe Developer, culinary writer, and digital food educator dedicated to helping home cooks discover flavorful, approachable, and reliable recipes they can return to again and again. With years of experience in recipe creation, food content strategy, and cooking education, Megan has developed a trusted voice in the culinary space—known for her clear teaching style, dependable kitchen techniques, and flavorful recipes that work for real life. Today, she proudly serves as a core author at grevva.com, where she develops recipes designed to inspire confidence and creativity in every kitchen.
Megan’s culinary journey began in community kitchens and local food programs, where she worked hands-on with families to teach cooking fundamentals, meal planning, and budget-friendly recipe creation. These early years ignited her passion for food education and revealed the true mission that continues to drive her work: to make home cooking simple, joyful, and empowering, not overwhelming. Determined to reach a wider audience, she transitioned into food writing and recipe development, building a portfolio that blends practical home cooking with chef-inspired flavors.
