Description
This Cheesy Queso Ground Beef and Rice recipe combines flavorful ground beef, tender rice, and creamy queso cheese for a comforting and satisfying meal that's quick to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Liquids and Rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups minute rice
- 10.5 oz Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
Cheese and Sauces
- 1 cup salsa con queso
- 2 cups shredded nacho cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Onions: Drop the lean ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions to the skillet and stir well. Continue cooking and crumbling the ground beef until it is fully browned.
- Cook the Garlic: Add the minced garlic, stir well and continue cooking for about 2 minutes to release the garlic's aroma.
- Add Broth and Rice: Add the chicken broth and minute rice to the skillet. Gently stir until all of the rice is submerged in the liquid.
- Simmer Rice: Bring the liquid to a boil, place a lid on the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Leave the rice to cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir and Add Seasonings: After 5 minutes remove the lid and stir well. Add the Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, salt, pepper, and onion powder to the skillet. Stir well and increase heat to medium.
- Cook off Liquids: Continue cooking until no liquid remains in the bottom of the skillet, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Queso and Cheese: Add the salsa con queso to the skillet and stir well. Then add the shredded nacho cheese and stir just until melted.
- Serve: Scoop the cheesy ground beef and rice mixture onto plates or bowls, serve warm, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease in the dish.
- Minute rice shortens cooking time, but regular rice can be used; increase the cooking time accordingly.
- Salsa con queso adds a creamy texture—substitute with your preferred queso dip if needed.
- Adjust the heat by choosing mild, medium, or hot Rotel tomatoes.
- To make it gluten free, ensure the broth and processed cheese products are certified gluten free.
- For extra veggies, add diced bell peppers or corn when cooking the onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
