diff --git a/cura/CuraApplication.py b/cura/CuraApplication.py
index c8faae3704..1fd62994fd 100755
--- a/cura/CuraApplication.py
+++ b/cura/CuraApplication.py
@@ -1600,8 +1600,12 @@ class CuraApplication(QtApplication):
 
     openProjectFile = pyqtSignal(QUrl, arguments = ["project_file"])  # Emitted when a project file is about to open.
 
-    @pyqtSlot(QUrl, bool)
-    def readLocalFile(self, file, skip_project_file_check = False):
+    @pyqtSlot(QUrl, str)
+    @pyqtSlot(QUrl)
+    ## Open a local file
+    # \param project_mode How to handle project files. Either None(default): Follow user preference, "open_as_model" or
+    # "open_as_project". This parameter is only considered if the file is a project file.
+    def readLocalFile(self, file: QUrl, project_mode: Optional[str] = None):
         if not file.isValid():
             return
 
@@ -1612,10 +1616,24 @@ class CuraApplication(QtApplication):
                 self.deleteAll()
                 break
 
-        if not skip_project_file_check and self.checkIsValidProjectFile(file):
+        is_project_file = self.checkIsValidProjectFile(file)
+
+        if project_mode is None:
+            project_mode = self.getPreferences().getValue("cura/choice_on_open_project")
+
+        if is_project_file and project_mode == "open_as_project":
+            # open as project immediately without presenting a dialog
+            workspace_handler = self.getWorkspaceFileHandler()
+            workspace_handler.readLocalFile(file)
+            return
+
+        if is_project_file and project_mode == "always_ask":
+            # present a dialog asking to open as project or import models
             self.callLater(self.openProjectFile.emit, file)
             return
 
+        # Either the file is a model file or we want to load only models from project. Continue to load models.
+
         if self.getPreferences().getValue("cura/select_models_on_load"):
             Selection.clear()
 
diff --git a/cura/SingleInstance.py b/cura/SingleInstance.py
index cf07b143c6..6fcf0da6cf 100644
--- a/cura/SingleInstance.py
+++ b/cura/SingleInstance.py
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ class SingleInstance:
                 if command == "clear-all":
                     self._application.callLater(lambda: self._application.deleteAll())
 
-                # Command: Load a model file
+                # Command: Load a model or project file
                 elif command == "open":
                     self._application.callLater(lambda f = payload["filePath"]: self._application._openFile(f))
 
diff --git a/resources/qml/Dialogs/AskOpenAsProjectOrModelsDialog.qml b/resources/qml/Dialogs/AskOpenAsProjectOrModelsDialog.qml
index f6436f62c5..2566a2d44c 100644
--- a/resources/qml/Dialogs/AskOpenAsProjectOrModelsDialog.qml
+++ b/resources/qml/Dialogs/AskOpenAsProjectOrModelsDialog.qml
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ UM.Dialog
             UM.Preferences.setValue("cura/choice_on_open_project", "open_as_model")
         }
 
-        CuraApplication.readLocalFile(base.fileUrl, true)
+        CuraApplication.readLocalFile(base.fileUrl, "open_as_model")
         var meshName = backgroundItem.getMeshName(base.fileUrl.toString())
         backgroundItem.hasMesh(decodeURIComponent(meshName))
 
diff --git a/resources/qml/Dialogs/OpenFilesIncludingProjectsDialog.qml b/resources/qml/Dialogs/OpenFilesIncludingProjectsDialog.qml
index 0df914805a..187578f12c 100644
--- a/resources/qml/Dialogs/OpenFilesIncludingProjectsDialog.qml
+++ b/resources/qml/Dialogs/OpenFilesIncludingProjectsDialog.qml
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ UM.Dialog
     {
         for (var i in fileUrls)
         {
-            CuraApplication.readLocalFile(fileUrls[i], true);
+            CuraApplication.readLocalFile(fileUrls[i], "open_as_model");
         }
 
         var meshName = backgroundItem.getMeshName(fileUrls[0].toString());
diff --git a/resources/qml/Menus/RecentFilesMenu.qml b/resources/qml/Menus/RecentFilesMenu.qml
index 0f1f67b6fa..b788b5e72e 100644
--- a/resources/qml/Menus/RecentFilesMenu.qml
+++ b/resources/qml/Menus/RecentFilesMenu.qml
@@ -29,42 +29,8 @@ Menu
             }
             onTriggered:
             {
-                var toShowDialog = false;
-                var toOpenAsProject = false;
-                var toOpenAsModel = false;
+                CuraApplication.readLocalFile(modelData);
 
-                if (CuraApplication.checkIsValidProjectFile(modelData)) {
-                    // check preference
-                    var choice = UM.Preferences.getValue("cura/choice_on_open_project");
-
-                    if (choice == "open_as_project")
-                    {
-                        toOpenAsProject = true;
-                    }else if (choice == "open_as_model"){
-                        toOpenAsModel = true;
-                    }else{
-                        toShowDialog = true;
-                    }
-                }
-                else {
-                    toOpenAsModel = true;
-                }
-
-                if (toShowDialog) {
-                    askOpenAsProjectOrModelsDialog.fileUrl = modelData;
-                    askOpenAsProjectOrModelsDialog.show();
-                    return;
-                }
-
-                // open file in the prefered way
-                if (toOpenAsProject)
-                {
-                    UM.WorkspaceFileHandler.readLocalFile(modelData);
-                }
-                else if (toOpenAsModel)
-                {
-                    CuraApplication.readLocalFile(modelData, true);
-                }
                 var meshName = backgroundItem.getMeshName(modelData.toString())
                 backgroundItem.hasMesh(decodeURIComponent(meshName))
             }