A system and method for quantitative imaging using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is disclosed. The method includes generating a steady-state pulse sequence on the MRI system, performing the pulse sequence to acquire magnetic resonance (MR) signals from a volume of the subject with two or more scans, representing physical parameters of the subject in relation with the MR signals through equations, generating values of the physical parameters of the subject, and generating a report indicating the physical parameters. The pulse sequence can sample two or more magnetization pathways of MR signals and at least one scan parameter of the pulse sequence changes from scan to scan.