Give this easy and delicious buffalo chicken pasta bake recipe a try. It features tender chicken combined with pasta in a creamy sauce.
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The combination of spicy buffalo sauce and creamy ranch dressing makes this dish irresistible. Additionally, penne pasta makes it an ideal comfort food option for those looking for something filling and tasty.
Adjusting the amount of hot sauce in the recipe will make the recipe suitable for all. Those who love spicy dishes may want to up the amount while those who prefer milder options may want a little less.
This cheesy chicken and pasta casserole is an easy meal idea for busy days. It's simple to prepare and has satisfying flavors.
Ingredients
The great thing about this dish is that you don't need much to assemble it. A few simple ingredients are all you need to make the easy dinner recipe.
Here are the items used to make the recipe:
- penne pasta
- cream cheese
- ranch dressing
- hot wing sauce
- cooked chicken
- cheddar cheese
- panko breadcrumbs
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Once you gather all the ingredients, preheat oven and grease a small casserole dish. Then, get a small pot of boiling water ready for the pasta.
Cook the pasta noodles according to the instructions on the package and drain.
Add the cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce to a large bowl.
Whisk together until creamy.
Add the cooked chicken, some of the cheddar cheese.
Stir to combine.
Add the cooked pasta.
Add pasta and mix it into the chicken mixture.
Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased baking dish.
Sprinkle shredded cheese and panko on top of the pasta mixture.
Bake until the cheese is melted and browned.
Variations
You can make buffalo chicken pasta casserole in many ways to suit your preferences. Here are a few ideas you may want to try.
- Add vegetables. Adding vegetables such as spinach or broccoli will make your meal healthier and more nutritious. You can also add diced tomatoes and green onion for added texture. Mushrooms and zucchini are good options too.
- Try Alfredo sauce instead of ranch. This gives a sweeter, creamier flavor.
- Use shredded chicken breast. Leftover chicken from the night before can be shredded instead of diced. A rotisserie chicken shreds well.
- Change up the cheese. Experiment with cheeses like pepper jack cheese, blue cheese crumbles, or mozzarella cheese. You could also mix and match different types of cheese depending on your preference. A sprinkling of Parmesan on top is a great addition too.
- Adjust the heat. if you're not a fan of spicy food, you can lessen the amount of buffalo sauce used in the recipe. Alternatively, add some red pepper flakes or cayenne powder if you want more heat. You can also add extra buffalo sauce for more kick.
Tips
Following these tips can help make sure your cheesy pasta dish comes out perfectly.
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta as this can result in a mushy texture. It's best to cook it al dente so it still has a bit of bite and holds its shape when mixed with the chicken and sauce.
- Drizzle olive oil over the pasta to prevent the noodles from sticking.
- Top the finished dish with a drizzling of hot sauce and ranch dressing. This adds an extra layer of flavor and texture that perfectly complements the spicy buffalo sauce.
Serving suggestions
You can serve the pasta dish with a side salad or garlic bread for a delicious meal that is sure to impress. A salad will balance out the heat of the hot sauce while the bread can soak up all the liquid from the sauce.
If you want something extra indulgent, add a dollop of blue cheese dressing over the top of each serving. The tangy and creamy flavor profile complements the spicy notes of the dish beautifully. Or, you could garnish your dish with crumbled blue cheese for added texture.
Storage
Transfer to an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. Use within three days for optimal freshness.
If you plan on storing it for longer than that, the leftovers can be placed in a freezer-safe bag or container to freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the dish overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before eating.
FAQ
You can cook the dish in a crockpot. Just add everything except the pasta and toppings. Slow cook for 2-3 hours on high or 4-5 hours on low. Then, add the cooked pasta and sprinkle on the toppings.
One option is to use ricotta cheese. Ricotta has a mild flavor and creamy texture that makes it a great substitute for cream cheese. It also has a slightly higher fat content than cream cheese, which will help keep the dish moist and flavorful.
Another option is Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is full of protein and has a tangy flavor that pairs nicely with the spicy flavors of buffalo chicken. You can also mix in some mayonnaise to give it a creamier texture, if desired.
You can also use cottage cheese as an alternative to cream cheese. Cottage cheese has a mild flavor and creamy texture, but be sure to blend it until smooth before adding it to the dish so that it doesn't have any lumps or chunks in your final product.
Canned chicken is pre-cooked and ready to use, making it a great choice if you are short on time and don't have time to cook fresh chicken. However, it may not have the same flavor as fresh-cooked chicken
Related Recipes
If you love chicken recipes, here are a few more dinner ideas you can try.
- Chicken ranch casserole is another tasty pasta bake.
- Chinese black pepper chicken has a nice kick of spice.
- Easy chicken pot pie casserole is a cozy dish to enjoy at home.
- Honey butter chicken has an irresistible sweet and crunchy outside.
- Chicken chop suey is a delectable combination of meat and vegetables.
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Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta or similar sized pasta
- 6 ounces cream cheese softened
- ⅓ cup ranch dressing
- ⅛ cup hot sauce
- 10 ounces cooked chicken breasts pieces or 1 can of shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease an 8-inch rectangular casserole dish.
- Cook the pasta noodles according to the instructions on the package and drain. To prevent sticking, drizzle a bit of olive oil over the noodles.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce until the mixture is creamy. Add the cooked chicken, ½ cup of cheddar cheese, and pasta noodles to the mixture and stir to combine. Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and panko breadcrumbs over the top of the pasta and bake it for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Garnish with green onions, hot sauce, and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
Amanda Dixon
I love Buffalo chicken anything, so this was right up my alley. So delicious! It had the perfect spice kick, and that creamy sauce was wonderful.
Shelby
The creamy sauce and the crunchy panko on top made this such a delicious weeknight dinner!
Darcey
YUM!!! I never thought to add buffalo chicken to pasta! The kids even had a second helping.
Rebecca
Our daughter's boyfriend loves buffalo chicken sauce more than anything in the world so I made this casserole for us when the two of them were coming over for dinner. He loved it of course, but the rest of us agreed it was one of the best things we'd ever eaten. Thanks for a great recipe!
GRETA
This is one of my favorite comfort food. We loved it and the boys from my house wants more for tomorrow. Really delicious.