Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a delicious and spicy comfort dish that combines the bold flavors of buffalo chicken with creamy pasta, melted cheese, and just the right amount of heat. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners, gatherings, or anytime you’re craving something hearty and flavorful. It’s a one-dish meal that’s packed with flavor and sure to satisfy your love for all things buffalo!

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole dish with non-stick spray or butter.

2. Cook the Pasta:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside. You want the pasta to be slightly firm since it will continue to cook in the oven.

3. Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Mixture:

• In a large bowl, combine the cooked, shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing), softened cream cheese, and half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Mix well until the chicken is evenly coated and the cheeses are distributed throughout the mixture.

4. Combine Pasta and Chicken Mixture:

• Gently fold the cooked pasta into the buffalo chicken mixture, ensuring that all the pasta is coated with the sauce. If the mixture seems too thick, you can add a splash of milk or more buffalo sauce to loosen it up a bit.

5. Assemble the Casserole:

• Transfer the buffalo chicken and pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top.

6. Make the Topping:

• In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter until they are evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the pasta bake, then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top.

7. Bake the Pasta:

• Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown.

8. Garnish and Serve:

• Once the pasta bake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle with sliced green onions, if desired, for added color and flavor. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips and Variations:

1. Customize the Heat Level:

• If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or mix it with a little extra ranch dressing. For more heat, you can add extra buffalo sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture.

2. Add Veggies:

• Feel free to incorporate vegetables like diced celery, bell peppers, or even broccoli into the casserole. The veggies add more texture and can help balance the richness of the dish.

3. Make It Ahead:

• This casserole can be prepared in advance. Simply assemble the pasta bake, cover it with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before putting it in the oven. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

4. Different Cheeses:

• While cheddar and mozzarella are the go-to cheeses, you can experiment with others like Monterey Jack, pepper jack for added spice, or a mix of mozzarella and blue cheese crumbles for that classic buffalo flavor.

5. Gluten-Free Option:

• Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs to make this dish gluten-free. There are plenty of gluten-free buffalo sauces available as well.

6. Dressing Options:

• Both ranch and blue cheese dressings work wonderfully in this dish. If you’re a blue cheese lover, top the finished casserole with crumbled blue cheese for an extra punch of flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a hearty dish that can easily be served as a main course on its own. However, if you’d like to round out the meal, consider pairing it with:

• Simple Green Salad:
  A light salad with a tangy vinaigrette can balance out the richness of the pasta bake.
• Garlic Bread or Rolls:
  Serve with warm garlic bread or dinner rolls for a complete comfort food meal.
• Vegetable Sides:
  Roasted vegetables like carrots or asparagus work well as a side, providing a fresh and light contrast to the bold flavors of the buffalo sauce.

Storage and Reheating:

In the Fridge:

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, cover the dish with foil to prevent the top from drying out, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

In the Freezer:

• To freeze, assemble the buffalo chicken pasta bake in a freezer-safe container but don’t bake it. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake according to the original instructions.

Conclusion:

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is the ultimate fusion of two comfort food favorites: creamy pasta and spicy buffalo chicken. The combination of cheesy, spicy, and savory flavors makes it a crowd-pleaser at any gathering, while its ease of preparation makes it a go-to weeknight meal. Whether you’re feeding a family or making it for meal prep, this buffalo pasta bake will satisfy your cravings for a bold, comforting, and delicious dinner!

Yield: 6-8

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a delicious and spicy comfort dish that combines the bold flavors of buffalo chicken with creamy pasta, melted cheese, and just the right amount of heat. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners, gatherings, or anytime you're craving something hearty and flavorful. It's a one-dish meal that’s packed with flavor and sure to satisfy your love for all things buffalo!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni work well)
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (use rotisserie chicken for convenience)
• 1 1/2 cups buffalo sauce (adjust based on heat preference)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (optional)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the Pasta:

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

3. Prepare the Sauce:

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the softened cream cheese and garlic powder, stirring until smooth and creamy.

Stir in the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4.Assemble the Bake:

Add the cooked chicken to the skillet with the buffalo sauce and stir to coat.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the buffalo chicken mixture. Stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

5. Transfer to Baking Dish:

Pour the buffalo chicken pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and the cheddar cheese.

6. Bake:

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Garnish and Serve:

Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped green onions and blue cheese crumbles, if desired. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

• Buffalo Sauce Heat Level: Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce depending on your preferred spice level. You can also mix in a bit more ranch or blue cheese dressing to mellow the heat.
• Cheese Substitutions: Feel free to use Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or Colby cheese for a different flavor.
• Add-Ins: For extra flavor and texture, try adding diced bell peppers, bacon, or even some corn to the bake.