A few summers ago, I met a retired chef while on a group trip to Santa Fe. He had cooked in kitchens across the country, New Orleans, Austin, Tucson, but he’d chosen the dry heat and adobe charm of New Mexico to settle down.
We ended up sitting beside each other during a community cooking class hosted at a local co-op, and when the instructor’s rice started sticking to the bottom of the pan, he just chuckled and said, “You’ve got to toast it first—makes all the difference.”
Later that week, he invited a few of us over for dinner. His house was small, cozy, and filled with the kind of spice jars that haven’t moved from their place in years. That night, he made a rice dish with grilled steak, smoky queso, and warm, earthy cumin I still remember. I scribbled notes on a paper napkin while he layered flavors into a bubbling pot of cheese.
Back home, I began tweaking the dish for my family. I toned down the heat for the little ones and added fresh cilantro and lime for brightness. Now, every time I serve this Cheesy Steak and Queso Rice, I think of that quiet evening in Santa Fe and the stranger who fed us like old friends.
Short Description
Tender steak slices and creamy queso over seasoned rice, topped with fresh garnishes for a rich, comforting meal ready in under an hour.
Key Ingredients
Steak
- 1 lb flank or sirloin steak
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Olive oil, salt, and pepper
Queso Sauce
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups broth or water
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
Garnishes (optional)
-
Fresh cilantro, lime wedges, avocado slices, jalapeños
Tools Needed
- Large skillet
- Saucepan with lid
- Whisk and wooden spoon
- Sharp knife and cutting board
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Make Queso Sauce
Melt butter in skillet over medium heat, sauté garlic 1 minute until fragrant. Add milk and simmer gently. Gradually whisk in cheddar and Monterey Jack until melted. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Keep warm on low.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
Rinse rice until water runs clear. Warm olive oil in a saucepan, add rice and garlic powder, toast 2 minutes. Add broth/water and salt. Bring to boil, cover, reduce heat, simmer 18–20 minutes until tender. Fluff with fork.
Step 3: Season and Sear Steak
Pat steak dry and rub with olive oil. Season with paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Heat skillet over high heat until nearly smoking. Sear steak 4–5 minutes per side for medium. Rest 5–10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
Step 4: Plate and Serve
Divide rice among plates, top with steak slices. Drizzle queso over rice and steak. Finish with cilantro, lime wedges, avocado, or jalapeños as desired. Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Juicy steak and spiced cheese sauce come together over savory rice
Quick and Easy: Ready in under an hour, with simple, accessible ingredients
Balanced & Filling: Combines protein, carbs, and creamy goodness in one pan
Customizable: Garnish with fresh lime, avocado, or jalapeño to suit your taste
Comfort Food with a Kick: Familiar textures meet bold spices for a memorable meal
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Queso clumpy or grainy
Solution: Lower heat, add cheese gradually, stir constantly
Rice stuck to pan
Solution: Toast and rinse rice, adjust liquid if too dry
Steak chewy or overcooked
Solution: Rest fully and slice against the grain
Sauce too thin
Solution: Simmer a few extra minutes to thicken, don’t overheat milk
Under-seasoned
Solution: Taste during cooking and adjust seasoning gradually
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables
Pair with an ice-cold cerveza or sparkling lime water
Serve family-style on a large platter for sharing
Perfect for casual dinners or relaxed gatherings
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in separate airtight containers: rice, steak, sauce
Reheat in microwaves or stovetop; rice with a splash of water, sauce gently heated
Reheat steak slices briefly to retain tenderness, then combine on plates
FAQs
1. Can I use low-fat milk for the queso?
Yes, but the sauce may be slightly thinner—add a little extra cheese or simmer longer.
2. What’s the best cut of steak?
Flank or sirloin works well for quick searing and slicing; ribeye can be used for richer flavor.
3. Can I make this ahead?
Yes: prep rice and sauce, slice steak ahead, rewarm everything just before serving.
4. Can I swap cheeses?
Absolutely. Use pepper Jack for extra heat or white cheddar for sharper taste.
5. How do I store leftovers?
Keep components separate, store in the fridge up to 3 days, combine when reheating.
Tips & Tricks
Toasting rice enhances nuttiness and prevents clumping
Bring steak to room temperature before searing for even cooking
Stir cheese sauce gently to avoid separation and maintain creamy texture
Slice steak thinly after resting to keep it juicy
Recipe Variations
Spicy Queso: Add diced chiles, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the cheese
Chicken Option: Swap steak for shredded rotisserie chicken
Tex-Mex Twist: Stir in corn and black beans into rice, garnish with cilantro-lime crema
Vegetarian: Sauté peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms instead of steak
Final Thoughts
That evening stayed with me—not just for the food, but for how generous a stranger could be with his time and table. Every time I spoon queso over fluffy rice and steak, I’m not just making dinner—I’m remembering a moment of connection. And that’s what good food does best.
It feeds the body, yes, but also sparks a memory, opens a door, invites someone in. Some meals are worth passing on. This is one of them.
Cheesy Steak And Queso Rice
Print ThisIngredients
- Steak
- 1 lb flank or sirloin steak
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Olive oil, salt, and pepper
- Queso Sauce
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups broth or water
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Garnishes (optional)
- Fresh cilantro, lime wedges, avocado slices, jalapeños
Instructions
Step 1: Make Queso
Melt butter in a skillet, sauté garlic for 1 minute. Add milk and simmer. Stir in cheeses until smooth. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Keep warm.
Step 2: Cook Rice
Rinse rice. Toast in olive oil with garlic powder for 2 minutes. Add broth and salt, bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 18–20 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Step 3: Cook Steak
Rub steak with oil and season with spices. Sear in a hot skillet 4–5 minutes per side. Rest, then slice thinly against the grain.
Step 4: Assemble
Spoon rice onto plates, add steak, drizzle with queso. Garnish with cilantro, lime, avocado, or jalapeños. Serve hot.
