Cheesy Queso Ground Beef Rice

Cheesy Queso Ground Beef and Rice is my secret weapon for tackling those wild weeknights when everyone’s hungry and you only have one skillet to spare. This cheesy hot dinner comes together with pantry staples and brings a Tex Mex comfort the whole family craves. From the savory ground beef to gooey nacho cheese and a little spicy kick from Rotel tomatoes and chilies, this meal checks every box for flavor without fuss.

When my kids bring friends home after soccer practice this is the recipe they all beg me to make. I love that it makes enough for seconds so no one goes hungry.

Ingredients

• Lean ground beef: Adds richness without excess grease, choose grass fed for the best flavor or regular for a budget
• Diced yellow onion: Brings sweetness and depth, chop fresh for a milder flavor or use pre diced for speed
• Minced garlic: Deepens the savory notes, fresh is best but jarred saves time
• Chicken broth: Infuses the rice and beef with extra flavor, use low sodium if watching salt
• Minute rice: Quick cooking and always fluffy, white or brown both work
• Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies: Provide a little heat with tang, select your preferred spice level
• Salt and pepper: Season the dish, add more or less to taste
• Onion powder: Extra punch of oniony flavor, keeps the dish from being bland
• Salsa con queso: Brings creaminess and mild spice, jarred queso is fast and melts smoothly
• Shredded nacho cheese: Gooey and stringy for the satisfying cheese pull, buy pre shredded for speed

Instructions

Brown the Beef and Onion:

Drop the lean ground beef into a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet. Crumble the beef and cook everything together until the beef is fully browned and the onions are soft, about seven minutes. Drain off any excess fat if using higher fat beef.

Sauté the Garlic:

Add minced garlic to the browned beef mixture. Stir well and cook for about two minutes until the garlic smells fragrant but is not browned. This step helps the savory flavor of garlic really bloom in the dish.

Add the Broth and Rice:

Pour the chicken broth and minute rice into the skillet. Gently stir everything to make sure the rice is thoroughly moistened by the broth. This ensures even cooking without clumping.

Steam the Rice:

Raise the heat to bring the skillet contents to a boil. Once boiling, immediately cover with a lid and drop heat to low. Leave undisturbed for five minutes so the rice steams and soaks up all those flavors.

Layer in the Flavor:

Remove the lid and stir the mixture. Add Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, salt, pepper and onion powder. Stir again and return heat to medium. Cook uncovered until all liquid disappears and rice is tender, about three to five minutes.

Add the Queso:

Fold salsa con queso into the skillet, ensuring it evenly coats every spoonful. This is where the magic happens as the creaminess brings all ingredients together.

Finish with Cheese:

Sprinkle the shredded nacho cheese over the hot mixture. Stir just until the cheese is melted for creamy pulls through every serving.

Serve:

Scoop generous portions into bowls or plates. Dig in while it is hot for peak gooeyness.

Excellent meal prep option keeps well in fridge. I am obsessed with salsa con queso in this dish. It adds so much creamy richness that every time I make this the whole room smells like a Tex Mex restaurant. My daughter once licked the spoon clean just to get every drop.

Storage Tips

Leftovers can go straight into containers and stay fresh in the fridge for up to four days. If you like meal prepping divide into individual servings and cover tightly. To reheat add a splash of broth or water to keep everything creamy. Microwave in bursts, stirring for even heating or warm on the stovetop gently on low heat.

Ingredient Substitutions

Try ground turkey or chicken if you want a leaner protein or vegetarian crumbles for a meat free version. You can use any type of easy melting cheese instead of nacho like Monterey Jack or cheddar. Homemade queso works beautifully if you have an extra ten minutes and want to skip.

Serving Suggestions

Spoon this cheesy skillet over tortilla chips for dinner nachos. Serve with fresh cilantro, avocado or a dollop of sour cream for even more flavor. I like to pile it high on a plate and top with crushed corn chips for bonus crunch. A simple side salad makes it a full meal.

Cultural Touch

This dish is inspired by classic Tex Mex casseroles. A blend of Mexican and Southern US home cooking, it uses iconic supermarket favorites and pantry staples. With Rotel, queso and rice in one pan, it brings that fun fiesta vibe to your table any time of year.

Seasonal Adaptations

Use your favorite pepper blend for more or less heat. In warmer months serve with fresh diced tomatoes and green onion for brightness. In cooler weather double up on cheese for ultimate comfort.

Success Stories

We served this to a family of six with two picky eaters and no leftovers made it to the fridge. Friends who tried it once have asked for the recipe every time since. It is our go to after practice meal and always brings everyone together around the table.

Freezer Meal Conversion

Cool cooked Cheesy Queso Ground Beef and Rice completely then spoon into freezer safe bags or containers. Freeze flat for easy storage and quick thawing. Warm directly from frozen with a splash of broth for a near instant hot dinner.

This one skillet meal is a cheesy, comforting fix for any busy night. Every bite brings simple joy to your dinner table.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I substitute minute rice with regular rice?

Regular rice requires a longer cook time and additional liquid. For best results, stick with minute rice or precook regular rice before adding.

→ How spicy is this dish?

The heat comes from the Rotel tomatoes and salsa con queso. For milder flavor, use mild Rotel and a less spicy queso.

→ Can I use a different type of cheese?

Nacho cheese melts smoothly, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack blend in well. Experiment to suit your taste.

→ What can I serve alongside?

This dish pairs well with a crisp salad, warm tortillas, or tortilla chips for added crunch and freshness.

→ Is it possible to make this ahead?

Yes—prepare and store in an airtight container. Reheat gently to retain the creamy texture before serving.