Description
Creamy ranch beef bowtie skillet brings hearty comfort to weeknight dinners with its rich, tangy sauce and tender pasta. Packed with sweet corn and savory beef, this one-pan meal delivers delicious satisfaction you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 8 ounces (227 grams) bowtie pasta
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sweet corn, fresh or frozen
Dairy and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream or heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheese, cheddar or your choice
- 1 packet (28 grams) ranch seasoning mix
Aromatics and Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) reserved pasta water
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare bowtie pasta according to package directions at a rolling boil, maintaining precise cooking time. Set aside 1/4 cup starchy pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (375°F).
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Thoroughly brown the meat, breaking into small crumbles.
- Drain excess fat from beef, transferring meat to a temporary plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until aromatics release their fragrant essence.
- Incorporate ranch seasoning mix, then gently fold in sour cream or heavy cream, creating a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Allow sauce to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, then fold in sweet corn kernels.
- Reintroduce browned beef to the skillet, thoroughly coating with creamy sauce.
- Add cooked bowtie pasta, tossing carefully to ensure even distribution of sauce and ingredients.
- If sauce appears too dense, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly across the surface, covering skillet and allowing cheese to melt completely (approximately 2-3 minutes).
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives for added color and flavor.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, ensuring maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.
Notes
- Select lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, lighter dish.
- Rinse pasta quickly under cold water after draining to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect texture.
- Consider using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a protein-packed, lower-fat alternative that still provides creamy richness.
- Customize the spice level by adding red pepper flakes or adjusting ranch seasoning intensity to suit personal taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg