This Loaded Cheddar Ranch Beef and Sweet Corn Rotini Bake is the ultimate comfort food. It combines tender rotini pasta, savory ground beef, sweet corn, and a creamy ranch-infused cheese sauce, all baked to golden perfection. It's a hearty, flavorful dish that's perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prepping for the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food at Its Best: I love how this dish brings together all my favorite flavors—cheddar cheese, ranch seasoning, beef, sweet corn, and pasta—into one satisfying casserole.
- One-Pot Wonder: Preparing the entire meal in just one pan means less clean-up and more time to enjoy the delicious results.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Whether I'm cooking for picky eaters or a group of hungry guests, this dish always impresses. The combination of cheesy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors is a guaranteed hit.
- Customizable: I often tweak the recipe with my favorite ingredients. Adding chopped bell peppers for extra color, swapping the ground beef for ground turkey, or using a different kind of pasta keeps things interesting.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This recipe makes great leftovers, so I can prepare it in advance and enjoy it throughout the week.
Ingredients
(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Rotini pasta
- Ground beef
- Sweet corn
- Cheddar cheese
- Ranch seasoning mix
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Milk
- Green onions
- Butter
Directions
- Cook the Rotini: I start by boiling the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Once it's al dente, I drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, I melt the butter over medium heat. I add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it's browned and cooked through. I drain any excess fat if needed.
- Make the Ranch Cheddar Sauce: To the browned beef, I add the cream cheese, sour cream, milk, and ranch seasoning mix. I stir everything together until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, I add a splash more milk to reach my desired consistency.
- Combine the Ingredients: I add the cooked rotini pasta to the skillet with the creamy beef mixture. I stir in the sweet corn and half of the cheddar cheese. I mix until everything is evenly combined, and the cheese starts to melt into the sauce.
- Transfer to a Baking Dish: I pour the beef and pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. I top it with the remaining cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of chopped green onions.
- Bake the Dish: I preheat my oven to 375°F (190°C). I bake the casserole for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is lightly golden.
- Serve and Enjoy: I remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. I garnish with additional green onions or fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy my cheesy, savory, comforting masterpiece!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Kick: I add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Different Meat: Swapping ground beef for turkey, chicken, or sausage changes up the flavor.
- Extra Veggies: Stirring in bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach adds more nutrition.
- Lighter Option: Using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream lightens the dish.
- Crunchy Topping: I top it with crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs for extra texture.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: I store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: I warm it in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Freezing: I freeze it before baking for up to 2 months. I thaw it overnight in the fridge before baking.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, I can substitute rotini with penne, rigatoni, or macaroni. The key is to use a pasta shape that holds the sauce well.
How can I make this dish even cheesier?
I add extra shredded cheddar inside the mixture before baking or sprinkle more on top for a gooey finish.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! I prepare the entire dish ahead of time, then cover and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, I simply pop it in the oven and bake as directed.
Can I add vegetables to the dish?
Of course! I feel free to add veggies like bell peppers, spinach, or even zucchini to make this dish even more nutritious.
Can I use gluten-free pasta?
Yes, I can use gluten-free pasta in place of regular rotini if I have dietary restrictions.
Conclusion
Loaded Cheddar Ranch Beef and Sweet Corn Rotini Bake is the ultimate comfort food, combining cheesy, savory flavors with a touch of sweetness from the corn. It's the kind of dish that will have everyone asking for seconds, and it's so easy to make that I'll want to prepare it on repeat. Whether I'm cooking for a crowd or just my family, this baked pasta dish is guaranteed to be a winner. I try it today and enjoy every gooey, cheesy bite!

Loaded Cheddar Ranch Beef and Sweet Corn Rotini Bake
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
A hearty and comforting casserole dish made with rotini pasta, savory ground beef, sweet corn, and a creamy ranch cheddar cheese sauce, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup sweet corn (canned or frozen)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk (plus more if needed)
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish and set aside.
- Cook rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add cream cheese, sour cream, milk, and ranch seasoning mix to the beef. Stir until cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Add more milk if sauce is too thick.
- Add cooked rotini, sweet corn, and half of the cheddar cheese to the skillet. Mix until combined and cheese begins to melt.
- Transfer mixture to the greased baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and chopped green onions.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly with a golden top.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with additional green onions if desired.
Notes
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter version.
- Customize with vegetables like bell peppers or spinach.
- Add jalapeños or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking.
- Freezes well before baking; thaw overnight before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅙ of casserole
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
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