Preparation

1. Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook it until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water, and set it aside.
2. Prep the Ingredients: While the pasta is cooking, chop the onion and mince the garlic. Shred your cheese if not pre-shredded, and measure out your ranch seasoning, corn, and cream.

Cooking the Beef and Building the Sauce

1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Stir occasionally until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Push the beef to one side of the skillet and add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the empty space. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until they become fragrant and slightly softened. Mix everything together.
3. Add the Ranch Flavor: Sprinkle the ranch seasoning over the beef mixture, stirring well to coat everything evenly. This step locks in that signature tangy, herby flavor.
4. Incorporate the Corn and Cream: Add the sweet corn (drained if canned or thawed if frozen) to the skillet. Pour in the cream or sour cream and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.