Get ready for your new go-to weeknight dinner! This Cheesy Queso Ground Beef and Rice is a flavor-packed, one-pan marvel that brings the irresistible taste of Tex-Mex queso dip to your dinner table. Imagine savory ground beef and fluffy rice simmered in a creamy, cheesy queso sauce with a kick of green chilies.
This is the ultimate comfort food mashup that’s incredibly easy to make and even easier to clean up. It’s a hearty, satisfying, and family-pleasing meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Skillet Dinner
One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means minimal cleanup.
Quick and Easy: A delicious and satisfying dinner that’s ready in about 30 minutes.
Incredibly Flavorful: It has all the cheesy, savory, and slightly spicy flavors of your favorite queso dip.
Budget-Friendly: Made with simple, affordable ingredients like ground beef and rice.
A Family Favorite: It’s a cheesy, comforting dish that is guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Essential Tools for This One-Pan Meal
You only need a few basic kitchen tools for this easy recipe.
Large skillet with a lid
Wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
The Simple Ingredients for Maximum Queso Flavor
This recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients to create a skillet dinner that’s bursting with flavor.
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet taco seasoning
1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
2 cups beef or chicken broth
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, a dollop of sour cream
Crafting Your Cheesy Queso Skillet, Step-by-Step
Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Toast the Rice: Add the uncooked rice to the skillet and stir for about a minute, allowing the grains to toast slightly in the meat drippings.
Simmer: Pour in the beef broth and the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir everything together, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
Make It Cheesy: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and a creamy sauce forms.
Final Melt: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the mixture. Cover the skillet again for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt into a gooey, delicious topping.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro or your favorite toppings and serve hot directly from the skillet.
Serving Suggestions and Pro Tips
How to Serve Cheesy Queso Ground Beef and Rice
With Tortilla Chips: Serve with a side of tortilla chips for scooping.
As a Burrito Filling: This makes a fantastic and hearty filling for burritos or tacos.
With Your Favorite Toppings: Set out bowls of sour cream, salsa, diced avocado, and jalapeños.
How to Perfect Cheesy Queso Ground Beef and Rice
Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: Shredding your own cheese from a block will give you the best, smoothest melt. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
Don’t Skip Toasting the Rice: This step adds a nutty depth of flavor to the dish.
Let It Rest: After melting the final layer of cheese, let the skillet sit for a few minutes off the heat. This allows the sauce to set up slightly.
Best Side Dishes for Cheesy Queso Ground Beef and Rice
Mexican Street Corn Salad: A creamy, zesty corn salad is a perfect side.
Black Bean Salad: A simple salad of black beans, corn, and lime juice.
A Simple Green Salad: A crisp salad with a cilantro-lime dressing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not Draining the Beef: This can make the dish greasy.
Boiling Instead of Simmering: After adding the liquid, keep the heat low to gently simmer the rice. Boiling it can make the rice cook unevenly.
Adding the Cheese Over High Heat: Add the cheese off the heat or on very low heat to prevent the sauce from breaking or becoming oily.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating Cheesy Queso Ground Beef and Rice
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice?
You can, but you will need to increase the liquid amount and the simmering time significantly, as brown rice takes much longer to cook.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes, ground turkey or chicken are excellent leaner alternatives to ground beef.
Is this dish very spicy?
It has a mild kick from the taco seasoning and the green chilies. For a spicier version, use hot taco seasoning or add a chopped jalapeño with the onion.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Omit the ground beef and use a can of black beans (drained and rinsed) and vegetable broth instead.
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