Description

Craving an easy dinner that hits all the comfort food notes? This Cheesy Beef and Sweet Corn Rotini Bake is the perfect mix of hearty ground beef, tender rotini pasta, sweet corn, and melty cheddar cheese—all baked into one bubbling, golden casserole. It’s a fantastic pick for quick dinner ideas, family-friendly meals, and cozy food ideas that you can prep ahead or freeze for later. Whether you’re after a weeknight easy recipe or a crowd-pleasing option for guests, this bake is a guaranteed win for dinner ideas, quick meals, and easy food recipes.

Ingredients

12 oz rotini pasta

1 lb ground beef

1 cup sweet corn (frozen or canned)

1 small onion finely diced

2 cloves garlic minced

1½ cups marinara or tomato pasta sauce

1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

½ cup sour cream (optional)

2 tsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

½ tsp smoked paprika or chili powder (optional)

½ cup diced bell pepper or mushrooms (optional)

Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini 1–2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion for 2–3 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

3. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart. Drain excess grease.

4. Stir in sweet corn, marinara sauce, and optional spices. Simmer for 5 minutes.

5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta with the beef mixture. Fold in sour cream if using.

6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the pasta mixture evenly in the dish.

7. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, covering the entire surface.

8. Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.

9. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

For the best texture, slightly undercook your pasta before baking.

Freshly grated cheese melts smoother and gives a better golden crust.

Drain beef thoroughly after browning to avoid excess grease in the final dish.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6th of the dish
Calories: 460
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 26g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: cheesy beef bake, easy casserole, pasta bake, dinner ideas, family meal, rotini bake