Description
This Cheesy Ranch Rotini Bake with Beef and Sweet Corn is a comforting and hearty casserole that combines tender rotini pasta, savory ground beef, sweet corn, and a creamy ranch cheese sauce. Baked to golden perfection with melted cheddar cheese on top, it makes for a delicious family-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 oz rotini pasta
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup sweet corn (canned or thawed frozen)
Dairy and Seasoning
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 oz ranch seasoning mix (1 packet)
- 4 oz cream cheese or 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease to reduce fat content. Season the beef with salt and black pepper for flavor.
- Add Sweet Corn: Stir in the sweet corn to the skillet with beef and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through and blend flavors.
- Prepare Ranch Sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine cream cheese (or sour cream), milk, and ranch seasoning mix. Stir over low heat until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, forming a flavorful sauce.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or directly in the baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, beef and corn mixture, and the ranch sauce. Stir well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and ingredients are distributed.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly. Pour the combined mixture in and spread evenly. Top the mixture with shredded cheddar cheese to create a cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and has turned golden brown, indicating it is heated through and ready to serve.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- You can substitute cream cheese with sour cream based on preference for the sauce base.
- Use fresh or frozen corn if canned is not available.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the ranch sauce.
- Make sure to drain excess grease from the ground beef to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
