Description
Creamy ranch beef and sweet corn bowtie casserole blends savory beef with tender pasta and corn. The ranch flavor adds familiar comfort to every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 2 cups bowtie pasta
- 1 can (15 oz) sweet corn, drained
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fire up your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C) while gathering all your ingredients.
- Boil 2 cups of bowtie pasta in salted water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly al dente, then drain completely.
- Brown 1 pound of ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles for about 6-7 minutes.
- Drain away any excess fat from the beef to keep your dish light and lean.
- Pour in 15 oz of sweet corn and stir into the browned beef, creating a colorful base.
- Add the entire ranch seasoning packet, 1 cup of softened cream cheese, and 1 cup of milk to the skillet.
- Whisk and stir the mixture until cream cheese melts smoothly and everything combines into a creamy sauce.
- Fold the cooked bowtie pasta into the beef mixture, ensuring each piece gets coated with the rich ranch sauce.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese across the top for a golden, melty finish.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese turns bubbly and edges look golden brown.
Notes
- Swap lean ground beef for ground turkey or chicken to reduce fat content and create a lighter version of the dish.
- Cook pasta just shy of package directions to prevent it from becoming mushy during the final baking process.
- Use fresh sweet corn during summer months for a brighter, more intense corn flavor that elevates the entire casserole.
- For a gluten-free adaptation, replace regular bowtie pasta with gluten-free pasta and ensure ranch seasoning is certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg