Ready for a meal that’s packed with flavor and sure to impress? Steak & Queso Rice is here to steal the show! Imagine tender, juicy steak paired with creamy, melted queso cheese over a bed of fluffy rice. It’s the perfect balance of savory, cheesy goodness that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance. Trust me, this one’s a game-changer.
Why You’ll Love Steak & Queso Rice
This dish is all about bold flavors and comfort. Whether you’re making it for a casual dinner or a fun family gathering, this meal will be a hit every time. Here’s why this recipe is the one to try:
Versatile: You can swap the steak for chicken, shrimp, or even tofu if you want a twist. You can also add extra veggies or beans to make it even heartier.
Budget-Friendly: It’s made with simple, affordable ingredients that pack a lot of flavor. A meal this good doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and just a few steps, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal ready in no time.
Customizable: Feel free to spice it up with extra seasonings, add jalapeños for heat, or even top it with some fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness.
Crowd-Pleasing: This is one of those meals that everyone will love. The creamy queso and tender steak are a winning combo that never fails to impress.
Ingredients in Steak & Queso Rice
This dish has all the delicious components that make it so satisfying. Let’s break it down:
Steak: Tender and juicy, the steak is the star of this dish. Choose a cut you love—flank steak or sirloin works great—and season it to perfection.
Rice: The base of the dish, the rice absorbs all the flavors and adds a nice, hearty texture to balance out the richness of the queso.
Queso Cheese: Creamy and cheesy, this is the magic ingredient that ties everything together. The smooth queso coats the rice and steak in cheesy goodness.
Garlic: Adds a fragrant, savory element that enhances the flavor of the steak and rice.
Onion: A touch of sweetness and depth to balance the richness of the queso.
Bell Pepper: Adds a little crunch and a pop of color to the dish, along with some extra sweetness.
Seasonings: A blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and salt, these spices bring all the savory flavors together and give the steak and rice a perfect depth of flavor.
Cilantro: Optional, but it brings a burst of freshness that cuts through the richness and adds a nice herbaceous note.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:
Cook the Rice: Start by cooking your rice according to the package instructions. Once it’s ready, fluff it up with a fork and set it aside.
Cook the Steak: While the rice is cooking, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Season your steak with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Sear the steak for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until it reaches your desired doneness. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain.
Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, add a little oil and sauté the garlic, onion, and bell pepper until they’re soft and fragrant—about 5 minutes.
Make the Queso: Lower the heat and add your queso cheese to the skillet with the sautéed veggies. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and smooth. If you like it extra cheesy, you can add more queso or a bit of milk to get the consistency you want.
Combine Everything: Once the cheese has melted, add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir everything together. Make sure the rice is fully coated in the cheesy goodness.
Top with Steak: Add the sliced steak on top of the cheesy rice, making sure each bite has a nice portion of tender steak and creamy queso.
Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with fresh cilantro (optional) and serve warm. This dish is perfect on its own or with a side of chips or a simple salad.
Nutrition Facts:
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: 450
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
How to Serve Steak & Queso Rice
This dish is hearty enough on its own, but here are a few ideas to elevate the meal:
- Serve with a side of crispy tortilla chips for some extra crunch.
- Pair with a fresh salad, like a simple avocado salad, to balance the richness of the queso.
- For a more filling meal, serve with some black beans or corn on the side.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
- Make it spicier: If you like heat, add some diced jalapeños to the rice or sprinkle chili flakes over the top.
- Use leftover steak: This recipe is a great way to use up leftover steak from another meal. Just slice it thin and add it to the cheesy rice.
- Customize the toppings: If you want, top the dish with a dollop of sour cream, guacamole, or a squeeze of lime for extra flavor.
FAQ’s
1. Can I use ground beef instead of steak?
Yes! Ground beef works great in this recipe. Just cook it through before adding it to the rice.
2. Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! If you don’t have queso cheese, you can use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or any other melty cheese you prefer.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep the rice and cook the steak in advance. Just reheat everything when you’re ready to serve and melt the cheese on top.
4. How do I make this recipe spicier?
Add more chili powder, cumin, or diced jalapeños to the dish for extra heat. You can also drizzle some hot sauce over the top.
5. Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute the steak with tofu or tempeh, and use a plant-based cheese for a vegetarian version.
6. What can I substitute for rice?
You can use quinoa, cauliflower rice, or even couscous if you prefer a different base.
7. Can I use a different kind of meat?
Chicken, shrimp, or even pork would work great in this dish as alternatives to steak.
8. How can I make this dish more filling?
Add some black beans, corn, or avocado to the mix for extra texture and flavor.
9. Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes! Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
10. Can I add more veggies?
Definitely! Add any veggies you like—mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach would be great options to include.
Conclusion
Steak & Queso Rice is the ultimate comfort food with a cheesy, savory twist that’s perfect for any occasion. With tender steak, creamy queso, and fluffy rice, this dish is both hearty and full of flavor. It’s simple to make, customizable, and guaranteed to satisfy. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked from the very first bite!
Print
Steak & Queso Rice
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-Seared, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A delicious and hearty dish featuring tender steak, creamy queso, and flavorful rice, perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 2 ribeye or sirloin steaks (about 6 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup queso dip (or melted queso cheese)
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the steaks with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook the steaks in the skillet for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until your desired doneness. Remove from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
- In a separate pot, bring the beef broth to a boil. Add the rice, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Once the rice is cooked, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and queso dip until well combined and creamy.
- Serve the creamy queso rice in bowls and top with the sliced steak.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can grill the steaks instead of pan-searing them.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add a diced jalapeño or some hot sauce to the rice mixture.
- You can use any type of cheese for the queso dip, such as Monterey Jack or Velveeta for a smoother texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg