If you’re craving a warm, cheesy, and protein-packed meal, look no further than this Steak & Queso Rice recipe. It’s everything you love about a burrito bowl—tender steak, melted queso, fluffy rice, and bold Tex-Mex flavor—all in a single skillet.
This dish is fast becoming a favorite among busy families and meal preppers alike. It’s hearty, comforting, and endlessly customizable. Whether you enjoy it as a weeknight dinner or prep it for the week, steak and queso rice will never disappoint.
And if you’re a fan of bold, creamy comfort meals, you’ll love this recipe just like you’d enjoy the equally rich and filling creamy smothered chicken and rice—another one-pan favorite on Retsen.
Before diving into the details, it’s worth checking out this creamy garlic baby potatoes recipe if you’re looking for a delicious side dish to serve with your queso rice bowl.
Want to level up your technique from good to great? Mastering this dish starts with knowing how to cook steak properly. Choosing the right cut and learning to sear with precision ensures melt-in-your-mouth results every time.
And when it comes to the cheesy factor, don’t settle for store-bought sauces. Learn how to melt cheese like a pro to get that smooth, velvety texture in your queso sauce. Or, if you’re curious about cheese variety, explore what queso blanco really is for even more depth.
🍛 What is Steak & Queso Rice?
Steak & Queso Rice is a savory one-skillet meal that combines:
- Juicy slices of grilled or seared steak
- Creamy, gooey queso sauce
- Seasoned rice (usually white, jasmine, or Mexican-style)
- Optional Tex-Mex toppings like corn, beans, and cilantro
If you’re a fan of smoky flavor with a Tex-Mex twist, consider pairing it with chipotle ranch grilled chicken burritos for a fun fusion meal night.
Inspired by steak burrito bowls, this dish brings together all the best parts—without needing tortillas.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to build flavor from the ground up:
🥩 For the Steak
- 1½ lbs flank, sirloin, or ribeye steak
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
🧀 For the Queso
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes + green chilies)
- ½ cup milk or evaporated milk
🍚 For the Rice
- 1½ cups white or jasmine rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- Optional: 1 can black beans, 1 cup frozen corn, 1 jalapeño diced
🌿 Garnishes (Optional but Recommended)
- Chopped cilantro
- Sour cream
- Diced avocado
- Lime wedges
- Sliced green onions
🔥 How to Cook Steak Perfectly
- Let steak come to room temp
- Pat dry and season well
- Sear on high heat for 3–4 minutes per side (medium-rare)
- Rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain
This ensures the meat stays tender and juicy, ideal for layering over the queso rice.
🔪 Step-by-Step Preparation
1. Cook the Steak
- Sear steak over high heat in a skillet for 3–4 minutes per side
- Let rest and slice thinly against the grain
2. Make the Queso
- Melt cream cheese and milk over low heat
- Stir in shredded cheese and Rotel
- Simmer until thick and smooth
3. Cook the Rice
- Simmer rice in seasoned broth until tender
- Stir in beans, corn, or jalapeños
4. Combine & Serve
- Mix queso into the rice
- Top with sliced steak
- Garnish with lime, cilantro, or jalapeño honey mustard sauce for a tangy twist
🧀 Making Homemade Queso Sauce
The soul of a great Steak & Queso Rice dish lies in its homemade queso sauce. Skip the store-bought jars—making your own queso is easier than you think and delivers a far superior flavor and texture.
🥣 Ingredients for Homemade Queso:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup milk or evaporated milk
- 1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
- Optional: 1 tbsp butter, ½ tsp cumin, ¼ tsp garlic powder, chopped jalapeños
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Heat the base:
In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the cream cheese and milk together, stirring continuously to create a smooth base. - Add cheese gradually:
Slowly add the shredded cheeses, one handful at a time, stirring constantly. This ensures even melting and prevents clumping. - Mix in flavor:
Once the cheese is fully melted, stir in the Rotel tomatoes (drained slightly) and any additional seasonings like cumin or jalapeños for heat. - Adjust consistency:
Too thick? Add more milk. Too thin? Let it simmer for a few minutes, stirring gently. - Serve immediately:
For best texture, serve hot and stir right before pouring over your rice and steak.
🔍 Tips for Perfect Queso:
- Use freshly shredded cheese—pre-shredded often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
- Keep heat low to avoid separating the fats.
- Add a touch of cornstarch (1 tsp) if you need extra thickening power.
Once you master this creamy, dreamy queso sauce, you’ll want to pour it over everything—not just rice and steak.
Use low heat to avoid breaking the sauce or making it grainy.
🍳 Bringing It All Together (One-Skillet Method)
- Cook rice with broth, cumin, and optional add-ins
- Stir in queso sauce once rice is fluffy
- Add sliced steak on top
- Cover and let it all steam for 2 minutes to combine flavors
- Top with garnishes and serve hot
Want a crispy top? Place the skillet in the oven for 10 minutes at 375°F before serving.
🔄 Flavor Variations
One of the best things about Steak & Queso Rice is how easy it is to customize. Whether you’re adapting for dietary needs or just mixing things up, these flavor variations keep the dish exciting every time you make it.
🔄 Protein Swaps
- Chicken Queso Rice – Swap steak for grilled or shredded chicken breast for a lighter, leaner meal.
- Shrimp Queso Rice – Use Cajun-seasoned shrimp for a seafood twist. Quick to cook and high in protein.
- Vegetarian Option – Skip the meat entirely and bulk it up with black beans, roasted bell peppers, or sautéed mushrooms.
🧀 Queso Upgrades
- Add pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
- Mix in cream-style corn for a touch of sweetness and creaminess.
- Use queso blanco instead of cheddar-based sauces for a smoother, milder flavor.
🔥 Spice It Up
- Stir in chipotle in adobo sauce for smoky heat.
- Top with pickled jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce.
- Serve with a side of salsa verde or chipotle crema.
These simple variations let you turn this dish into a new creation every time—while keeping the same cheesy, satisfying base you love.
🍽️ What to Serve with It
- Tortilla chips (for scooping!)
- Mexican street corn
- Grilled bell peppers
- Mango salsa
- Simple green salad with lime vinaigrette
- Cheesy garlic butter bombs
- Mexican street corn and shrimp
- A fresh side salad with lime vinaigrette
🥡 Storage & Meal Prep
One of the best things about Steak & Queso Rice—besides the bold flavor—is how well it holds up for storage and meal prepping. This makes it a great option for busy weeknights, packed lunches, or freezing for future meals.
🧊 Storing Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Store cooled leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Divide into single-serve portions to make reheating easier.
- Freezer: Freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months. For best texture, freeze without toppings like sour cream or avocado.
🔁 Reheating Tips
- Microwave: Add a splash of broth or water to loosen the rice and queso. Cover and microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between.
- Stovetop: Warm in a skillet over medium heat with a little broth, stirring until heated through.
🥗 Meal Prep Tips
- Cook rice and queso ahead of time, store separately from steak slices to preserve texture.
- Add fresh toppings (like lime, avocado, or cilantro) just before serving to keep them vibrant.
This dish is not only delicious but also incredibly convenient—perfect for anyone looking to simplify their weekly meal routine without sacrificing flavor.
⚖️ Nutrition (Per Serving)
Estimated for 1 cup serving with steak and cheese:
Understanding the nutritional value of Steak & Queso Rice can help you enjoy this indulgent comfort meal while keeping your goals in check. Below is an estimate based on a standard serving size of 1 ½ cups with steak, queso, and rice:
🔍 Estimated Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
✅ Nutritional Highlights:
- High in protein, making it filling and great for muscle recovery or energy
- Contains healthy fats from cheese and olive oil
- Moderate carb content, especially if you use white rice
- Can be adjusted for low-carb or low-fat diets by modifying ingredients
🥦 Healthier Swaps:
- Use cauliflower rice to reduce carbs
- Choose low-fat cheese or reduce the queso portion
- Opt for lean sirloin or flank steak over fattier cuts
- Add veggies like bell peppers or spinach to boost fiber
With a few tweaks, Steak & Queso Rice can be indulgent and balanced—a perfect blend of flavor and functionality.
To reduce calories, use lean steak and skip sour cream or extra cheese.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover steak?
Yes! Thinly slice and warm it gently before adding to the rice.
What cheese is best for queso?
Use a combo like Monterey Jack and cheddar. Velveeta melts easily but lacks depth.
Can I make it in the slow cooker?
Yes—add uncooked rice, broth, beans, corn, and cooked steak. Add cheese in the last 30 minutes.
Is it gluten-free?
Yes, if using gluten-free broth and Rotel.
How can I make it spicier?
Add hot sauce, diced jalapeños, or spicy pepper jack cheese.
Can I serve this as a burrito bowl?
Absolutely—just leave out the queso and serve steak over rice with toppings.
❤️ Final Thoughts
Steak & Queso Rice is one of those dishes that feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd, meal prepping for the week, or just want something hearty on a cold night, this dish delivers bold flavor, creamy texture, and satisfying protein in every bite.
And if you’re looking for something similarly hearty and high-protein, don’t miss our creamy cowboy butter chicken linguine or garlic butter bacon cheeseburger rollups.
Give it a try and make it your own with your favorite toppings or mix-ins. Once you do, it’ll be on your regular dinner rotation—guaranteed.