French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups came into my life when I needed all the flavors of a classic French dip sandwich but wanted something easier to eat and faster to make. After countless weeknight dinners where my family was starving and I needed something on the table yesterday, this recipe became my secret weapon.
I still remember the evening I first wrapped up roast beef and French fried onions in a tortilla instead of layering them on a hoagie roll. The kitchen filled with the aroma of caramelized onions and savory beef as those roll ups crisped up in the oven, and when I pulled them out with that golden-brown exterior, everyone gathered around the table faster than usual. Dipping those crispy tortilla packages into warm, rich au jus brought all the satisfaction of the original sandwich with half the mess and effort. These French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups turned busy weeknights into something special without the stress. Let’s get rolling.
What Makes This Weeknight Dinner So Special
When you’re facing down another hectic evening and need something that actually tastes good without requiring an hour of prep work, this recipe delivers exactly what you need. The beauty lies in its simplicity combined with big, satisfying flavors.
- Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for those nights when everyone needs dinner fast and nobody has patience left
- Uses pantry staples like tortillas, deli roast beef, and canned beef consommé that you probably already have on hand
- Creates crispy, cheesy perfection with tortillas that bake up golden while the cheese melts into gooey deliciousness inside
- Less messy than traditional sandwiches, making these roll ups ideal for kids and adults alike who want flavor without the drip
- Delivers crowd-pleasing results with the classic French dip taste that everyone recognizes and loves in an easy-to-handle package
What Goes Into This Recipe
Large flour tortillas form the foundation of these roll ups, and I always choose burrito-sized tortillas because they’re sturdy enough to hold all the filling without tearing. If your tortillas aren’t super fresh, warm them briefly in the microwave to make rolling easier.
Provolone cheese melts beautifully and adds that mild, creamy flavor that complements the roast beef perfectly. In my kitchen, I prefer using full slices torn into pieces rather than shredded cheese, which sometimes doesn’t melt as smoothly.
Deli roast beef should be sliced as thin as possible. Ask your deli counter for their thinnest cut. The thinner slices make rolling easier and ensure every bite has tender beef rather than chunks that pull out when you take a bite.
French fried onions bring that irresistible crunch and savory onion flavor that makes these roll ups special. They’re the same ones you’d use for green bean casserole, found near the canned vegetables in your grocery store.
Beef consommé creates the rich, deeply flavored au jus that makes French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups so craveable. This concentrated beef broth has more body and flavor than regular beef broth, though broth works if that’s what you have.
Worcestershire sauce adds umami depth and a subtle tang that enhances the beefy flavor of the au jus without overpowering it. Just a teaspoon makes a noticeable difference.
Betty’s Tested Technique
Step 1. I’ve found that preheating your oven to 425°F before you start assembling ensures those roll ups get perfectly crispy and golden in just 10 minutes.
Step 2. Lay the four tortillas on your counter or work surface, then tear the provolone into smaller pieces and distribute evenly over each tortilla. Betty always starts with the cheese layer first so it helps bind everything together.
Step 3. Place the deli roast beef evenly over the cheese on each tortilla, then sprinkle the French fried onions over the beef. Through trial and error, I learned that even distribution prevents some bites from being overstuffed while others are sparse.
Step 4. Working with one tortilla at a time, fold the sides inward, then tightly roll the tortilla from bottom to top into a compact roll. The key I discovered is rolling tightly so nothing falls out during baking.
Step 5. Brush a little olive oil on the edge of each tortilla to help it stick closed, then place seam side down on a baking sheet. This weight keeps them from unrolling.
Step 6. Brush the remaining olive oil over the tops of the roll ups before baking. My family prefers when I make sure they’re well-coated because this creates that beautiful golden, crispy exterior.
Step 7. Bake in the preheated oven until the roll ups are browned, about 10 minutes, checking once halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Step 8. While the roll ups bake, combine the beef consommé, water, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until warmed through. This au jus is what makes these French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups authentic.
Step 9. To serve, cut the roll ups in half on a diagonal for prettier presentation and serve with the warm au jus sauce for dipping.
How to Store and Enjoy Later
These French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups are best made fresh for optimal texture, as the crispy exterior softens when refrigerated. However, if you have leftovers or want to prep ahead, you can assemble the uncooked roll ups and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day. Just bake them fresh when you’re ready to eat.
If you do need to store baked roll ups, place cooled roll ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The French fried onions may lose some crispness, but the flavor remains delicious. Store the au jus separately in a sealed container so you can reheat it for serving.
For the best texture when reheating, I skip the microwave entirely and pop the roll ups in a 350°F oven or toaster oven for about 5-7 minutes. This revives that crispy exterior that makes them so appealing. Reheat the au jus on the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming hot for the full French dip experience.
Complete Your Meal
Serve with a fresh green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette to add crisp, refreshing contrast to the rich, savory roll ups and cut through all that delicious cheese.
Pair with oven fries for a classic combination that feels like comfort food done right. The crispy potatoes complement the beef and cheese perfectly.
Add a side of coleslaw for tangy crunch that balances the richness of the French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups while adding color to your plate.
Serve with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or broccoli to round out the meal with some nutritious green vegetables that roast while your roll ups bake.
Offer extra au jus on the side because some people (like my husband) want to drench every single bite in that savory, beefy goodness.
Try pairing with steak bites for a heartier meal, or serve alongside beef tenderloin for a special dinner. For more beef recipes, check out our Italian pot roast or braised short ribs.
FAQs
I recommend swiss cheese for authentic French dip flavor, but mozzarella, cheddar, or Monterey Jack all work well. Choose whatever your family enjoys most.
To prevent missing that depth, you can substitute with beef broth, though the flavor won’t be quite as rich. Consider adding an extra teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to boost the savoriness.
Many home cooks find success assembling the roll ups a few hours ahead and refrigerating them, then baking fresh right before serving so they’re hot and crispy when guests arrive.
French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Lay the 4 tortillas on a counter or work surface. Tear the provolone up into smaller pieces and distribute evenly over each of the 4 tortillas. Place the deli roast beef evenly over the cheese, then sprinkle the French fried onions over the roast beef.
- Working with one tortilla at a time, fold the sides of the tortillas in, then tightly roll the tortilla into a roll. Brush a little bit of the olive oil on the edge of the tortilla to help it stick closed, and place seam side down on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Brush the remaining olive oil over the tops of the roll ups.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the roll ups are browned, about 10 minutes.
- While the roll ups are baking, combine the beef consommé, water, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, onion powder and garlic powder in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until warmed through.
- To serve, cut the roll ups in half and serve with the warm au jus sauce for dipping.
