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Let me tell you about my family's favorite comfort food mashup. This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake came about one night when I couldn't decide between making buffalo wings or mac and cheese. Now it's the most requested dish in our house. The combination of spicy buffalo sauce creamy cheese and tender pasta creates pure magic in every bite.
Why You'll Love It
You know how some recipes just bring everyone to the table? This is one of those. Even my picky teenager asks for seconds. The mix of tangy buffalo sauce and creamy ranch with all that melty cheese hits all the right notes. Plus it's so easy to put together perfect for those busy weeknights.
What You'll Need
- Penne Pasta: 12 ounces with ridges they grab onto the sauce so well.
- Cooked Chicken: 2 cups I usually grab a rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Cream Cheese: 8 ounces softened this makes everything extra creamy.
- Ranch Dressing: ½ cup homemade or store bought both work great.
- Buffalo Sauce: ½ cup Frank's is my go to but use your favorite.
- Cheese Mix: 2 cups I love combining mozzarella and sharp cheddar.
- Toppings: Green onions are my favorite garnish.
Let's Make It Together
- Get Started
- First things first preheat your oven to 375°F and grab your favorite casserole dish.
- Pasta Time
- Cook that pasta just until al dente trust me you don't want it too soft.
- Make It Creamy
- Mix up your cream cheese ranch and buffalo sauce until it's smooth and dreamy.
- Bring It Together
- Toss everything in a bowl until every piece of pasta is coated in that amazing sauce.
- Cheese Please
- Layer it in your dish and cover it with all that glorious cheese.
- Bake to Perfection
- Pop it in the oven and wait for the magic to happen about 20 minutes.
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Make It Your Own
This recipe is super flexible. My gluten free friend swaps in GF pasta and it works beautifully. Sometimes I toss in some broccoli or spinach to sneak in extra veggies. You can even use cauliflower instead of pasta for a low carb version.
The Finishing Touch
I always sprinkle on some fresh green onions right before serving. It adds such a nice pop of color and freshness. Keep extra ranch and buffalo sauce on the table so everyone can customize their plate.
Plan Ahead
Want to make life easier? Assemble everything the night before pop it in the fridge and bake it when you're ready. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time. Such a lifesaver for busy days.
Perfect Pairings
We love this with a crisp garden salad on the side. The cool crunchy greens balance out all that creamy spiciness perfectly. My husband insists on garlic bread too because why not?
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
If you have any leftovers they'll stay good in the fridge for about 3 days. Just warm them up slowly in the microwave or oven. Want to freeze it? Go ahead just leave off the top cheese layer until you're ready to bake.
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Cheese Magic
Want to take this over the top? Try adding some crumbled blue cheese to the mix or swap in pepper jack for extra kick. Sometimes I layer extra cheese in the middle too because more cheese is always better right?
Party Perfect
This dish is my go to for potlucks and game days. It travels well stays warm forever and everyone always asks for the recipe. Just keep some extra sauce on the side for your spice loving friends.
Spice It Your Way
Not everyone loves heat like I do. You can easily adjust the buffalo sauce to taste. Start with less and add more until it's perfect for you. A little honey can balance the heat nicely too.
Veggie Version
My vegetarian daughter inspired me to create a meatless version. We use roasted cauliflower and mushrooms instead of chicken. The buffalo sauce makes everything taste amazing either way.
Crunchy Additions
Sometimes I sprinkle crushed tortilla chips or panko on top for the last few minutes of baking. That extra crunch takes it to another level. French fried onions work great too.
Next Day Magic
The leftovers make amazing buffalo chicken grilled cheese sandwiches. Just spread some between bread add extra cheese and grill until golden. My teenagers go crazy for this.
Extra Cheesy Tips
Want to make it even cheesier? Try mixing different cheeses like smoked gouda or pepper jack into your cheese blend. The more varieties the more complex and delicious it gets.
Kid Friendly Version
For the little ones I usually dial back the buffalo sauce and add a bit of marinara instead. They still get that fun orange color but without too much kick. The cheese pulls keep them coming back for more.
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Perfect Drinks
All that creamy spiciness calls for something cold and refreshing. We love it with iced tea or lemonade. Having friends over? A cold beer or glass of Riesling pairs beautifully.
Feeding a Crowd
Need to feed more people? This recipe doubles perfectly just use a bigger baking dish. Having a smaller dinner? Half the recipe works great in a loaf pan.
Family Favorite Status
This dish has become such a staple in our house. It's what my kids request for birthdays what I make when friends come over and my husband's favorite leftover lunch. Sometimes the best recipes come from simple cravings and a little creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use different pasta shapes?
- Yes, any medium pasta shape works well. Just cook until al dente according to package directions.
- → How do I make it low-carb?
- Replace pasta with cooked cauliflower florets. Steam or roast until tender before combining with other ingredients.
- → Can I make it spicier?
- Add extra hot sauce to taste or sprinkle red pepper flakes on top before baking for more heat.
- → What's the best chicken to use?
- Rotisserie chicken works great for convenience, or use canned chicken. Any cooked, shredded chicken will work.
- → Can I make this ahead?
- Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Add extra time when baking from cold.