creamy buffalo chicken pasta bake 1

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes Servings: 6–8 servings
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients
  • For the Pasta Base:
  • 12 oz 340 g pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
  • 2 cups 300 g cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups 480 ml milk (whole or 2%)
  • ½ cup 120 ml buffalo sauce (Frank’s RedHot or similar)
  • ½ cup 120 ml ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • For the Cheese Layer:
  • 1 ½ cups 150 g shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup 50 g shredded mozzarella
  • ¼ cup 25 g crumbled blue cheese (optional for topping)
  • For Garnish:
  • Chopped green onions or parsley
  • Extra drizzle of buffalo or ranch sauce

Method
 

  1. Directions
  2. Preheat the Oven
  3. Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  4. Cook the Pasta
  5. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  6. Make the Sauce
  7. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
  8. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth and thickened (about 3–4 minutes). Stir in buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  9. Combine the Chicken and Pasta
  10. Add shredded chicken to the sauce and stir until coated. Add the cooked pasta and mix until everything is evenly combined.
  11. Assemble the Bake
  12. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with cheddar, mozzarella, and blue cheese (if using).
  13. Bake
  14. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
  15. Serve
  16. Drizzle with extra buffalo sauce or ranch, sprinkle with green onions, and serve hot.

Notes

Chef’s Tip
• For extra creaminess, stir 2 oz (60 g) of cream cheese into the sauce before adding the pasta.
• Substitute ranch with blue cheese dressing for a stronger flavor.
• To make it spicier, use extra-hot buffalo sauce or add a pinch of cayenne.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully — add a splash of milk before reheating to restore creaminess.

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