Description
Comfort food champions assemble for Buffalo Chicken and Bacon Mac Attack Casserole, where spicy meets creamy in one epic dinner pan. Crispy bacon, tender chicken, and zingy buffalo sauce turn classic mac and cheese into a crowd-pleasing meal your family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 4 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
Cheese and Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup ranch dressing
Base and Seasonings:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil 8 oz elbow macaroni in salted water for 8-9 minutes until tender. Drain completely and set aside in a colander.
- Crumble 4 slices of turkey bacon into small pieces after cooking until crisp.
- Mix ½ cup buffalo sauce, ½ cup ranch dressing, and ½ cup milk in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Fold 2 cups shredded cooked chicken into the sauce mixture, ensuring chicken is evenly coated.
- Add boiled macaroni to the chicken and sauce. Stir gently to distribute ingredients thoroughly.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole, covering completely.
- Scatter crumbled bacon pieces and chopped green onions across the cheese layer.
- Bake uncovered at 375°F for 22-25 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set.
Notes
- Cooking the pasta just until al dente keeps it from becoming mushy when baked in the creamy sauce.
- Shred the chicken while it’s still warm for easier and more even mixing into the mac and cheese.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular pasta with gluten-free elbow macaroni and check that your buffalo sauce is gluten-free.
- Crisp the bacon separately to maintain its crunch and sprinkle on top just before serving for maximum texture contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg