Description
Dig into this buffalo ranch cheeseburger pasta bake that combines all the zesty flavors of your favorite game-day appetizers in one comforting dish. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with a spicy kick, this pasta brings serious flavor straight to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
Pasta and Dairy:
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Boil 12 oz of penne pasta in heavily salted water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly al dente. Drain completely and set aside.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown 1 lb ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles for 6-7 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet after cooking the beef. Reduce heat to medium.
- Sprinkle 1 packet of ranch seasoning mix over the beef. Stir thoroughly to distribute evenly.
- Pour ½ cup buffalo sauce, ½ cup milk, and ½ cup sour cream into the skillet. Mix until the sauce looks smooth and creamy.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to ensure every pasta piece gets coated with the sauce.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Scatter 1 cup shredded cheddar and 1 cup mozzarella cheese across the top of the pasta.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden.
- Remove from oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Always drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a crisp texture.
- Adjust buffalo sauce quantity based on personal heat preference, starting with less and adding more gradually.
- Fresh shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded, creating a smoother, more luxurious cheese topping.
- For a lower-carb version, swap pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles and use low-fat dairy options.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 505 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg