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Oh, friends, are you ready for the ultimate one pan comfort meal? This Steak Queso Rice recipe is a weeknight game changer! Imagine savory, tender bites of steak and fluffy white rice all folded into a creamy, dreamy, homemade queso sauce. It’s cheesy, it’s hearty, and it tastes unbelievably indulgent, yet it comes together so fast. It’s one of those perfect, easy dinners that beautifully balances cozy, stick to your ribs goodness with a hearty dose of protein, all in one skillet.

Serving Versatility

This dish is a fantastic one bowl meal, but it’s also so versatile! You can serve it as is for a comforting dinner, use it as a “monster” filling for burritos or wraps, or even stuff it into hollowed out bell peppers and bake them. It’s one of those easy dinners that make good leftovers in a whole new way.

Full Recipe Section

Cheesy Steak and Queso Rice Skillet

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 4-6 (Great for dinner recipes for family of 6!) Calories: Approximately 550 kcal per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain (or 2 cups leftover cooked steak, chopped)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper (any color), finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
• 4 oz (1/2 block) cream cheese, cut into cubes
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 3 cups cooked white rice (leftover rice works perfectly!)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional toppings: Chopped cilantro, sour cream, sliced avocado

Instructions:

1. Cook Steak: If using raw steak, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the sliced steak and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to your liking. Remove the steak from the skillet and set it aside.
2. Sauté Veggies: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Make Queso Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the can of diced tomatoes with green chiles, the cubed cream cheese, shredded cheddar, milk, chili powder, and cumin. Stir continuously until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
4. Combine: Fold the 3 cups of cooked rice into the queso sauce. Stir well to coat every grain.
5. Finish: Add the cooked steak (and any juices!) back into the skillet. Stir to combine everything and let it heat through for 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve: Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One Pan Wonder: An entire, hearty meal made in a single skillet, which means cleanup is a breeze.
• Fast & Easy: This is one of those easy simple cheap dinners that’s ready in 30 minutes, especially if you use leftover rice or steak.
• Ultimate Cheesy Flavor: This cheesy steak and queso rice is pure comfort food. The homemade queso is a game changer.
• Great for Families: It’s one of those dinner recipes for four (or six!) that everyone will love, and it’s easy to stretch.
• Perfect for Leftovers: This is one of the best easy dinners that make good leftovers; it reheats beautifully for lunch.

Cultural or Cooking Technique Note

This recipe is a modern, cozy fusion dish! It takes the concept of classic Tex Mex “chile con queso” (cheese dip with chiles) and combines it with hearty American steak and rice skillet dinners. The “technique” of building the sauce in the same pan used to cook the steak and veggies is key. It ensures all those delicious browned bits, or “fond,” get incorporated into the queso, adding a huge depth of flavor.

Serving Suggestions

1. Burrito Style: Spoon the entire mixture into large, warm flour tortillas for the ultimate steak and queso burritos.
2. Stuffed Peppers: Stuff into halved bell peppers, top with more cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
3. Topped to Perfection: Serve in a bowl topped with crushed tortilla chips, a dollop of sour cream, sliced jalapeños, and fresh cilantro.
4. With Beans: Serve alongside a simple side of seasoned black beans.

Pro Tips for Success

• Use Leftovers! This is one of my favorite steak ideas meals for using up leftover grilled steak or plain white rice. It makes the prep incredibly fast.
• Low Heat for Queso: When you add the cheeses, keep the heat on low. High heat can make the cheese grainy or cause it to separate.
• Thinly Sliced Steak: Slicing the steak thinly against the grain is essential to keep it tender, especially for quick cooking cuts like flank.
• Cheese Choice: For the best melt, use a block of cheddar and shred it yourself. Pre shredded cheeses often have anti caking agents that can make the sauce gritty.

Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave in 60 second intervals, stirring in between. To reheat on the stovetop, add the rice to a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk or beef broth to loosen it up and make it creamy again.

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I truly hope this Steak Queso Rice recipe brings a little extra comfort and ease to your dinner table! It’s such a satisfying and flavorful meal, and the fact that it’s so quick and uses simple ingredients is a total win. Get creative with it, and please, let me know if you try it! I’d love for you to leave a comment and a rating below.

🎀 Final Thoughts

This recipe is my “I’m starving and I want something amazing now” go to. It feels so indulgent and cozy, like a giant hug in a skillet. It’s one of those white rice and meat recipes that just hits all the right notes: savory, cheesy, and so, so satisfying.