Combining buffalo chicken, cheese, and pasta in one casserole creates a meal that everyone will love. This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is delicious and can be on the dinner table in 30 minutes. These Buffalo Chicken Calzones are another easy and quick recipe that everyone enjoys too.
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Ok, I have to confess. I have fallen off the dinner wagon hard. The past few weeks we have been busy with travel and activities, and it has affected our normal eating schedule. Oh, we are still eating together for the most part. I just haven’t been as dedicated to having a hot meal ready at dinner time.
The kids have been eating ramen, cereal, and Bbq Chicken and Avocado Quesadillas all week. Yes, major mom fail going on right now. It’s time to step back and get a better routine going again.
I love having an empty, quiet house all day long, but sometimes that is also my downfall. I feel like I have all day to do things, so I put chores and work off until the last second. Not to mention no one is around to stop me from eating the leftover Cinnamon Sugar Apple Donut Holes.
Then I’m scrambling to get everything done right before the kids get home from school. My brain can’t think of quick dinner recipes when it is trying to do all the things at once. Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this.
Pasta, canned chicken, and cheese are usually three ingredients that are almost always in our pantry and refrigerator. That makes it very easy to throw together something quick when the hangry masses are pounding on the dinner table.
Ever since I made this Chicken Supreme Pasta Bake, I have been trying to make a pasta dish every couple of weeks. Cheesy pasta dinners always get two thumbs up here.
Our family loves this Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip, so I used those same ingredients to make this gooey, cheesy pasta bake for dinner a few weeks ago. You can use a rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken breasts, or even canned chicken. We have used all three and they taste amazing any way you make it.
Heck to the yeah!!! All that cheese is amazing. Hey, I never said this was a healthy buffalo chicken pasta. Although, if you wanted to make this a low carb buffalo chicken recipe, substitute cooked cauliflower for the noodles. Booyah! Healthy chicken recipe just like that.
The kids devoured this easy dinner in record time, so either it was delicious, or they were starving because I made them wait until I took pictures. #lifeofafoodblogger #theyareusedtoit
A thick layer of gooey cheese will have everyone fighting to get the first big scoop of Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake.
For this easy pasta dinner, I combined cream cheese, ranch, and hot sauce in a mixing bowl to create a gooey base for the chicken and noodles.
My son said this pasta tasted just like the buffalo chicken dip, only heartier! Gotta love a baking dish full of pasta goodness that everyone loves!!!
Lots of shredded cheese is always a good thing when you are baking dinner, am I right?
Looking for more easy dinner recipes, you might like these:
- Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet from The Cookie Rookie
- Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Lasagna Rolls from Inside BruCrew Life
- Orange-Balsamic Shrimp Pasta from Belly Full
- Creamy “BLT” Pasta from A Dash of Sanity
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Be sure to watch this short video to see how to make this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake:
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces - 2 cups uncooked, penne pasta (or substitute cooked cauliflower)
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/3 cup hot sauce
- 2 cups shredded, cooked chicken (rotisserie or canned)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 8-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook the pasta noodles, according to the package directions. Drain and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil to keep them from sticking.
- Stir together the cream cheese, ranch, and hot sauce until creamy.
- Add the chicken, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and cooked pasta noodles to the cream cheese mixture and stir to combine. Spoon into the prepared dish.
- Combine the remaining two cheeses and sprinkle over the top of the pasta. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese on top is melted.
- Remove and serve immediately with green onions, hot sauce, and ranch drizzles. Serves 6.
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Joselin says
Would chipotle ranch make it taste drastically different or do you think it would work well for this dish?
Jocelyn says
I think it would be just fine.
Tori says
I use chipotle ranch or even bacon ranch sometimes for variations.
Jennifer says
I made this for Sunday dinner, my roommate’s Dad declared this was the best dinner he’s had! I did double the recipe because it’s the only way we’ll have leftovers lol. I did use ranch dressing as well. I used a 2.5 pound bag of frozen chicken breast and threw them in some olive oil in the cast iron skillet they came out so tender! I’ll definitely be keeping this one in the rotation. Thanks for the great recipe!
Kelly says
I have made this multiple times now and we love it! It has never come out dry and I usually prepare it in the morning and bake a little bit longer when I pop it in the oven for dinner. Thanks for an amazing recipe!
marla ashcraft says
Made this last night and my family loved it! They went back for seconds!
Kirstie says
My husband does not like cheese. I may can get away with using some. Can someone tell me how I could substitute? I had sour cream. I’m clueless
Jocelyn says
I’m not sure this is the best recipe to make if your husband doesn’t like cheese because this recipe is pretty loaded with cheesy goodness. You could leave the extra cheese off the top, if you think that would be better for him.
Tori says
Use some cream of chicken soup maybe?
Kara says
Man I would love to not love cheese haha….obsessed with pretty much every type of cheese!
Leanna says
The idea of this dish sounded AMAZING but, it wasnt my families cup of tea which was sad because i LOVE ALL of those ingredients. It wasnt HORRIBLE but we wont make it again. I think it was just to rich for us because both mine and my boyfriends stomach was hurting after.
Jocelyn says
It is a very rich and heavy pasta dinner. If you are used to eating pretty clean, it would sit heavy. We usually eat small portions with a big salad.
Kathleen says
For the hot sauce. Do you have a recommendation? There are literally thousands of kinds but what makes best buffalo sauce flavor?
Jocelyn says
Frank’s Red Hot is the one we use the most often. I have also made this dish with Sweet Baby Ray’s Wing Sauce. Both tasted great! I hope you enjoy the pasta!
Kathleen says
Thanks. Will probably try with cauliflower since we don’t normally eat pasta.
Betsy Barnes says
My son was off work today and ask me if he could make dinner, I suggested this. He made it and we all loved it! Thanks for this easy, budget friendly recipe!
Jocelyn says
That’s awesome that you son made you dinner. I’m so glad to hear that you all loved it!!!
Tracey says
Just made this for my family, awesome recipe!!
Bryn says
If I were to make this as a freezer meal, how long do you think I would have to put it on the oven from the freezer?
Jocelyn says
I would place the frozen meal in the refrigerator the night before to help thaw it out. Just add another 15-30 minutes to the baking time because it will be cold coming from the refrigerator. I hope that helps. Also, make sure to freeze it in a metal disposable pan.
Kathleen says
1st…this is one of my family’s favorite dishes… My older and younger kids and friends all love it. I am always sharing the recipe. I have not been able to eat it lately b/c of the pasta. It takes a lot of will power to make and not eat.
But today… Omg.. I made this today with cauliflower.. It was absolutely amazing.. I couldn’t even tell there was cauliflower in it. I do add a little more cheese (1 cup more) and ranch (1/4 cup more ).. I think I like it better with the cauliflower than the pasta. Next time I’m going to use a low fat ranch and cream cheese to cut down on the calories.
I’m so happy I can start eating one of our favorite dishes again.
Bailey says
Fantastic!!! Followed directions except cooked 5 frozen chicken tenders in slow cooker with the sauce. Then I shredded the chicken and then added the cheese and pasta and put in the oven for 20 minutes. My husband and two year old son loved it. My 4 year old and 2 year old daughters passed but they are picky. Not too spicy for kids. Had a great flavor, rich and creamy! Thank you. It’s a keeper.
Sherry says
Can this be made in the crockpot, I’m making it for a work function and need it to stay at least warm.
Jocelyn says
You know, I have never tried it in the crock pot…or had anyone ask about it. But I think it would work just fine. Just put it together like normal, but instead of baking it, put it in the crockpot and cover in cheese. It just has to get hot enough to melt that cheese and then you are good to go. Keep me posted on how it works.
Maria says
Since this is a buffalo chicken recipe, do you think using bleu cheese instead of ranch would be ok? For me those two just go together 🙂
Jocelyn says
I think that would be just fine. I have had quite a few other people ask the same thing. We just prefer ranch in our buffalo chicken dip and in this pasta. I hope you enjoy the pasta bake!!!
Connie says
This is an amazing casserole. I made it for my picky husband once and now wants me to make it all the time. Yum
Jocelyn says
That’s awesome! I’m so glad your husband liked this casserole!
Jessica says
Made this tonight, just used a little less cheese. We all loved it and it was so easy to make.
We will definitely be having this again. 😀
Denise says
So I now make this once a month. My husband will eat it for days. I usually boil the chicken and bake in a disposable pan for easy clean up.