Description
Comfort meets convenience in this loaded cheddar ranch beef & sweet corn rotini bake, where hearty pasta mingles with savory ground beef and creamy ranch. Packed with bold flavors and simple ingredients, this dish promises a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
Pasta and Corn:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini pasta
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) sweet corn, drained
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil rotini pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 6-7 minutes, crumbling with a wooden spoon until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Sprinkle ranch seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the beef. Stir in sweet corn and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Whisk sour cream and milk in a separate bowl until smooth and well combined, creating a creamy base for the sauce.
- Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Combine cooked pasta, seasoned beef and corn mixture, and sour cream sauce in a large mixing bowl. Fold in half of the shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring even distribution.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese across the top for a golden, melted finish.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes until cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle. Optionally garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that maintains the dish’s robust flavor profile.
- For gluten-free adaptation, use gluten-free rotini pasta and ensure ranch seasoning mix is certified gluten-free.
- Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini to boost nutritional value and create more complex texture in the bake.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium ranch seasoning and reduced-fat cheese without compromising the dish’s delicious taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 486 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg