Description
Hearty loaded cheddar ranch beef and sweet corn rotini bake promises comfort with bold Midwestern flavors. Creamy cheesy pasta combines ground beef, sweet corn, and zesty ranch seasonings for a satisfying family meal you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef
- 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta
- 1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, drained
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- 1 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little spice)
- ½ cup crispy fried onions or crushed Ritz crackers (for crunch)
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook rotini until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside for later incorporation.
- Meat Browning: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Crumble and cook thoroughly until no pink remains, removing excess fat if needed.
- Sauce Creation: Reduce skillet heat and blend ranch seasoning, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk into a creamy mixture. Fold in sweet corn kernels and part of the cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and integrated.
- Assembling and Initial Baking: Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Combine cooked rotini with beef mixture in a large bowl, ensuring complete coating. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes to meld flavors.
- Finishing Touch: Remove foil and sprinkle crispy fried onions or crushed crackers for added crunch. Return to oven for 5-7 minutes until golden and bubbling. Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven.
- Serving: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately while hot and appetizing.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Ensure al dente texture by tasting pasta during cooking and removing from boiling water just before fully soft.
- Beef Browning Technique: Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to achieve proper caramelization and prevent meat from steaming instead of browning.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Reduce heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and maintain smooth, creamy consistency throughout the dish.
- Dietary Modification: Swap ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option, or use plant-based meat alternative for vegetarian version. Gluten-free pasta works seamlessly for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg