Steak Queso Rice Delight

Featured in Hearty Main Courses.

Enjoy a vibrant bowl featuring juicy steak, buttery seasoned rice, and silky queso sauce layered together. This dish combines bold spices, fresh lime, and the smooth richness of cheddar or Monterey Jack for true comfort. Quick assembly lets you personalize each serving with toppings like tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado. Ideal for busy nights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd, this satisfying meal delivers flavor and convenience in every bite.

Casey
Updated on Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:50:24 GMT
A plate of food with rice, meat, and vegetables. Pin it
A plate of food with rice, meat, and vegetables. | cookingwithcasey.com

Steak Queso Rice Delight packs layers of tender steak, fluffy rice, and creamy queso into a single bowl that feels both comforting and exciting. The first time I made this was after a long workday when I needed something hearty yet quick. It has become a weeknight favorite for its bold flavors and easy assembly.

I remember making this while hosting friends for game night. Every bowl disappeared fast and everyone went back for seconds. Now I make a double batch anytime guests drop by.

Ingredients

  • Flank steak skirt steak or sirloin: Choose a cut with good marbling for tenderness and flavor. Slice thinly against the grain for best texture.
  • Olive oil: Gives steak a nice sear and helps spices stick. Use extra virgin for maximum taste.
  • Chili powder: Brightens flavor with mild heat. Check your spice blend for freshness.
  • Garlic powder: Builds savory base notes. Try granulated for deeper flavor.
  • Cumin: Earthy warmth that pairs well with steak. Toast seeds and grind fresh if possible.
  • Salt and pepper: Pulls all flavors together. Use kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper.
  • Lime juice: Adds brightness and balances richness. Freshly squeezed works best.
  • Cooked white or brown rice: Pick what your family enjoys. Day-old rice holds up well and gets fluffy with seasoning.
  • Butter or oil: Makes rice fragrant and gives it a rich finish. Choose unsalted butter if watching sodium.
  • Onion powder: Subtle sweetness and depth. Use fresh onion for bolder flavor.
  • Paprika: Lends color and gentle smokiness. Pick Spanish smoked paprika if you want deeper flavor.
  • Flour: Needed for thickening queso. Sift to avoid lumps.
  • Milk: Helps melt cheese smoothly. Whole milk is best for a creamy sauce.
  • Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack: Melts beautifully and delivers creaminess. Freshly grated cheese gives the best texture.
  • Diced green chilies or jalapeños: Provides a punch of heat. Choose mild or spicy to match your taste.
  • Cilantro tomatoes avocado sour cream green onions: Colorful toppings that add freshness creaminess and crunch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Steak:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Coat sliced steak with chili powder garlic powder cumin salt and pepper. Sear for about three minutes per side or until the steak takes on a browned crust and reaches desired doneness. Rest meat on a cutting board for five minutes then slice thin if needed. Letting steak rest before slicing keeps it juicy inside.
Make the Rice:
In a large skillet melt butter or heat oil over medium. Pour in cooked rice then sprinkle in onion powder paprika and salt. Stir everything gently and let it heat through for two to three minutes so the rice becomes aromatic and each grain is evenly seasoned.
Make the Queso Sauce:
Melt butter in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for one minute to cook out raw flour taste. Gradually pour in milk whisking all the while. Stir until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon about two or three minutes. Lower heat and blend in shredded cheese and green chilies if using. Stir until smooth and melty without any lumps.
Assemble the Delight:
Spoon a generous layer of seasoned rice into bowls. Pile on slices of rested steak right on top. Drizzle warm queso sauce generously over everything. Finish with your favorite toppings like cilantro tomato avocado sour cream or green onions for freshness and color.
Steak with rice and peppers. Pin it
Steak with rice and peppers. | cookingwithcasey.com

Queso is hands down my favorite part. Once I nearly doubled the cheese for an even gooier topping and my family could not stop talking about how good it was. Serving this to my dad on Father’s Day got me a rare ten out of ten from him for flavor.

Storage Tips

Keep steak rice and queso in separate containers in the fridge. Everything lasts well for up to three days. Reheat gently over low heat or in the microwave adding a splash of milk to refresh the queso sauce.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap steak for cooked shredded chicken or even black beans if you want a vegetarian option. Any melting cheese will work in the queso so use Colby Pepper Jack or a Mexican cheese blend for variety. If out of fresh avocado try a scoop of store-bought guac.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with warm tortillas or tortilla chips for scooping. A simple green salad or grilled veggies make great side dishes. This recipe also works for burrito bowls letting everyone assemble their own meal.

Cultural Notes

Inspired by the Tex Mex love for steak rice and cheese this dish brings together some of the most comforting Southwestern flavors in one easy meal. The queso is like what you would find in a classic Texan taqueria while the rice and steak can be a nod to Mexican and American home cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of steak works best?

Flank, skirt, or sirloin steak all work well when sliced thinly against the grain for tenderness and optimal texture.

→ Can I use brown rice instead of white?

Absolutely! Both white and brown rice provide a hearty base; simply choose your preferred variety or try Mexican rice for extra flavor.

→ How do I make the queso extra creamy?

Use whole milk and freshly shredded cheese for best melt and creaminess. Whisk constantly to avoid lumps and keep your sauce smooth.

→ What are tasty topping suggestions?

Chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, green onions, sliced avocado or guacamole, and sour cream all complement the flavors beautifully.

→ Is this meal good for meal prep?

Yes. Store steak, rice, and queso separately in airtight containers. Reheat and assemble just before serving for best results.

→ How can I add extra heat?

Include diced jalapeños or green chilies in the queso, or drizzle your favorite hot sauce over the finished dish for a spicy kick.

Steak Queso Rice Delight

Savory steak, fluffy rice, and creamy queso build a comforting bowl topped with your favorite garnishes.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Casey

Category: Hearty Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Steak

01 450 g flank steak, skirt steak, or sirloin, sliced thin against the grain
02 15 ml olive oil
03 5 g chili powder
04 5 g garlic powder
05 2 g ground cumin
06 Salt to taste
07 Black pepper to taste
08 Juice of 1/2 lime (optional)

→ Rice

09 400 g cooked white or brown rice
10 15 ml butter or oil
11 2 g onion powder
12 2 g paprika
13 Salt to taste

→ Queso Sauce

14 15 ml butter
15 8 g plain flour
16 180 ml whole milk
17 150 g shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
18 35 g diced green chilies or jalapeños (optional)
19 Salt to taste

→ Toppings (optional)

20 Chopped fresh cilantro
21 Diced tomatoes
22 Sliced avocado or prepared guacamole
23 Sour cream
24 Chopped green onions

Instructions

Step 01

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Pat steak slices dry and season with chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Sear steak for 2–3 minutes per side until cooked to preference. Remove from the pan and let rest; if needed, slice thinly against the grain.

Step 02

In a separate pan, melt butter or heat oil over medium heat. Add cooked rice, onion powder, paprika, and salt. Stir and heat through for 2–3 minutes, ensuring all grains are evenly seasoned. Set aside and keep warm.

Step 03

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, until lightly bubbling. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously, and cook for 2–3 minutes until mixture begins to thicken. Stir in cheese and optional chilies; mix until smooth and creamy. Season with salt to taste and keep warm.

Step 04

Layer seasoned rice onto plates or bowls. Arrange sliced steak atop the rice. Drizzle generously with hot queso sauce. Garnish with cilantro, diced tomatoes, avocado or guacamole, sour cream, and green onions as desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  1. For enhanced flavor, substitute Mexican-style or cilantro-lime rice in place of plain rice.
  2. Incorporate jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce into the queso for added heat.
  3. If time allows, marinate the steak for at least 30 minutes before cooking to develop deeper flavor.
  4. To optimise meal prep, store steak, rice, and queso in separate containers and assemble just before serving.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Medium saucepan
  • Mixing spoon
  • Whisk
  • Sharp knife
  • Chopping board

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains milk and dairy products
  • Contains gluten from flour

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 635
  • Total Fat: 33 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 46 g
  • Protein: 38 g