Description
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake combines creamy comfort with a bold spicy kick. Tender chicken and zesty sauce make this dish exciting and filling.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 ½ cups Buffalo sauce
- 1 cup ranch dressing
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Boil 12 ounces of penne pasta in salted water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly al dente. Drain and set pasta aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Shred 2 cups of cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add the chicken to the pasta bowl.
- Whisk together 1 ½ cups Buffalo sauce, 1 cup ranch dressing, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon paprika in a separate bowl until smoothly combined.
- Pour the sauce mixture over your pasta and chicken. Gently toss everything to ensure each piece gets thoroughly coated.
- Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and lightly grease its surface. Transfer your sauced pasta mixture into the dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese across the top, creating an even cheese layer.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Slide the dish into the hot oven and bake for exactly 22 minutes until the cheese melts completely and turns golden around the edges.
- Remove the pasta bake from the oven. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to settle and cheese to set.
- Optional: Garnish with 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley for a bright pop of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Swap rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken for a quick protein shortcut that saves cooking time.
- Dial down the Buffalo sauce heat by mixing half mild and half hot sauce if your family prefers a gentler flavor profile.
- For a lower-carb version, substitute regular pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower pasta to reduce calories and add extra vegetables.
- Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven to help the cheeses set and make cutting and serving easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1120 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg