Cheesy Queso Ground Beef and Rice

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Cheesy Queso Ground Beef and Rice is an easy one pot dinner recipe perfect for busy weeknights.

This hearty dish is loaded with ground beef, minute rice, Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, store bought salsa con queso and shredded nacho cheese.

Why This Recipe is a Winner!

• One-Pot Convenience – Everything cooks in a single pot, which means minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights when no one wants a sink full of dishes.
• Super Quick with Minute Rice – Using Minute Rice keeps this recipe fast and stress-free—ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish. No need to wait on long-cooking grains.
• Family-Friendly Comfort Food – Cheesy, beefy, and satisfying—this is the kind of meal both kids and adults love. It’s cozy comfort food with Tex-Mex flair.
• Customizable & Versatile – Add-ins like black beans, corn, or jalapeños can easily be tossed in to suit your taste. Want it spicier? Use hot queso. Want to stretch it? Add more rice.

This is the ultimate lazy-night comfort food: cheesy, hearty, and done in under 30 minutes.

One pot, minimal effort, and loads of melty cheese—what more could you want?

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups minute rice
• 10.5 oz Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 cup salsa con queso
• 2 cups shredded nacho cheese

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don’t miss out on any important tips and tricks! 

 Step by Step Instructions

 STEP 1: 

I dropped a pound of lean ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat.

I added some diced onions to the skillet.

 STEP 2: 

I stirred the ground beef and onions together well.

I continued cooking until the ground beef was fully browned.

 STEP 3: 

Once the ground beef was fully cooked, I added some minced garlic to the skillet.

I stirred well and continued cooking for 2 minutes.

 STEP 4: 

I added some chicken broth to the skillet.

I also added some uncooked minute rice to the skillet.

 STEP 5: 

I gently stirred and spread the rice out until it was all submerged in the liquid.

I brought the liquid to a boil.

Then I placed a lid on the pot, reduced the heat to low, and left the rice to cook for 5 minutes.

 STEP 6: 

After 5 minutes I removed the lid and stirred the rice and ground beef well.

 STEP 7: 

I added a can of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies to the skillet.

I also added some salt, pepper and onion powder to the skillet.

 STEP 8: 

I stirred all of the ingredients together well and increased the heat to medium.

I continued cooking until no liquid remained in the bottom of the skillet.

 STEP 9: 

I added some store bought salsa con queso to the skillet and stirred well.

 STEP 10: 

I added some shredded nacho cheese to the skillet and stirred it into the ground beef and rice mixture.

Then the cheesy ground beef and rice was ready to scoop and serve!

The combination of salsa con queso and shredded nacho cheese gives this dish double the cheesy goodness with just the right amount of spice.

The Minute Rice soaks up all the flavors from the beef and queso, making every bite rich and satisfying.

It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent but comes together in no time with just a handful of ingredients.

This is one of those recipes that pleases even the picky eaters—cheese, beef, and rice are always a hit.

If you are looking for an easy one pot dinner recipe that hits the spot, then you need to try this Cheesy Queso Ground Beef and Rice!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use regular rice instead of Minute Rice?

• Minute Rice cooks much faster than regular rice, so if you want to use long-grain rice, you’ll need to cook it separately and stir it in at the end.

What kind of salsa con queso should I use?

• You can use any store-bought salsa con queso you like—mild, medium, or spicy. Brands like Tostitos, On the Border, or even store brands work great.

Can I make this ahead of time?

• Yes! This dish reheats really well.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of broth or milk to loosen it up.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

• Absolutely. Corn, black beans, bell peppers, or even spinach can be stirred in for extra nutrition and texture.

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