This Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a family favorite made and loved by millions! It combines the bold flavors of buffalo chicken dip with cheesy pasta, all baked in just 30 minutes. One bite, and you’ll see why it’s so popular!
Our buffalo chicken calzone is another quick and easy recipe everyone enjoys.
The recipe for buffalo chicken pasta bake was first shared in October 2016. The post was updated with new photos and tips and republished in February 2025.
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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
We're big buffalo chicken fans over here. Our kids request this easy buffalo chicken dip for every movie and game night. So, one day, I thought, "Why not turn it into dinner?" And boom—this cheesy, spicy casserole was born!
I always keep pasta, chicken, and cheese on hand to make this quick dinner in minutes. This pasta bake is perfect for busy nights; you can even prep it ahead of time and bake it when you're ready.
Whether you're a buffalo chicken fanatic or love an easy, cheesy dinner, this dish has something for everyone.
Why I Love This Recipe
- With simple pantry staples, you can quickly prepare this dish. Using rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked shredded chicken makes it even easier!
- This is a delicious kid-approved meal! While hot sauce has a kick, you can adjust the spice level to suit everyone's taste. The creamy texture balances the heat, so even those who don't like spicy food will love it.
- It is perfect for a crowd! Bring it to game nights, potlucks, or Super Bowl parties, and watch it disappear in minutes!
- It's also great for meal prepping. Leftovers reheat beautifully so that you can enjoy them for lunch the next day.
Jenny says, " This is one of my family's FAVORITE, most requested dishes! I cook a bunch of chicken in the instant pot first and use it for recipes throughout the week. It is cheesy, creamy, and delicious, with a great kick."
Ingredient Notes
Experience all the delicious flavors of buffalo chicken wings in a creamy, cheesy pasta casserole. This simple recipe requires just a few easy ingredients.
- Chicken - You can use rotisserie, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled, or canned chicken. We have used every kind of chicken in this recipe, and it tastes amazing no matter what you use.
- Cream Cheese - Full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature, will quickly be combined into the dip.
- Shredded Cheese - I enjoy mixing shredded mozzarella cheese with sharp cheddar cheese. For best results, shred or grate fresh cheese blocks. This ensures a smoother melt and creamier pasta.
- Hot Sauce - We love Frank's Red Hot sauce, which gives the buffalo pasta a hot and spicy flavor. You can reduce the amount or use wing sauce to make it milder.
- Ranch Dressing or Blue Cheese Dressing - Either one will taste great. It all depends on which dressing you prefer with your buffalo wings. Our family prefers ranch dressing, so that's what we use.
- Pasta - Go with your favorite noodles! We like penne pasta since it holds the sauce, but bow-tie noodles would also work great. Just cook and drain the noodles before tossing them into the spicy mix.
- Optional Toppings - Green onions and blue cheese crumbles are great toppings for buffalo pasta.
BruCrew Pro Tip: Use leftover chicken to make a buffalo chicken salad or buffalo chicken wrap.
How To Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta
This spicy pasta recipe is simple, making it a perfect dinner option when you're short on time. FYI: This casserole is smothered in a thick layer of ooey-gooey cheese, so get ready for a scramble for that first scoop!
Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the noodles, and cook until al dente.
Make the Sauce: Stir the cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
Add Chicken and Pasta: Add the shredded cooked chicken, cooked pasta, and some of the mozzarella cheese, then stir gently.
Assemble the Casserole: Spoon the creamy pasta mixture into a greased casserole dish, then top with the rest of the shredded cheese.
Bake until Bubbly: Pop it into a preheated oven and bake it until it’s hot. The cheese on top will melt and get a bit brown.
BruCrew Pro Tip: Drizzle hot casserole with ranch dressing and hot sauce. Then, add green onions and blue cheese crumbles just before serving.
Storage Recommendations
Once the dish cools to room temperature, put leftovers in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave.
Tips and Tricks
- Cook the pasta until it's al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven later. After draining, drizzle the noodles with olive oil to prevent them from drying out and sticking together.
- Use buffalo wing sauce instead of Frank's hot sauce for a milder buttery flavor.
- Customize the flavor with different cheeses. Mix and match Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Colby Jack, or gouda for a creamy texture. You can also add pepper jack for some spice and blue cheese for a buffalo flavor!
- Keep the blue cheese dressing and crumbles on the side since not everyone enjoys that strong flavor.
- Complete the meal by adding a side salad and garlic herb bread.
Variations
- Make it extra creamy. Stir ½ cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt into the sauce before baking. This adds a little tang and makes the pasta even smoother.
- Use a different cooked protein. Not in the mood for chicken? No problem! Try shredded turkey, ground beef, or shrimp.
- Add veggies. Boost the nutrition by sneaking in chopped bell peppers, spinach, carrots, or celery.
- Serve it low carb. Skip the pasta noodles and use cooked cauliflower florets.
- Add a crunchy topping. Before baking, top the casserole with crushed Ritz crackers, panko crumbs, or crushed Doritos chips for extra texture.
FAQs
Yes! Mix everything in a large skillet, heat until the cheese is melted, then serve it straight from the pan.
You can prepare the pasta dish up to two days in advance. Mix all the ingredients, then cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate it.
Before baking, remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Bake the casserole until it is hot and bubbly.
Yes, assemble everything in a foil pan, then cover and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake until hot and bubbly.
More Buffalo Chicken Recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Tots
- Buffalo Pizza Rolls
- Buffalo Wing Chips
- Buffalo Chicken Slider
- Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Pizza
Do you love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?
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Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a family favorite made and loved by millions! It combines the bold flavors of buffalo chicken dip with cheesy pasta, all baked in just 30 minutes. One bite, and you’ll see why it’s so popular!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked, penne pasta
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup ranch dressing
- ⅓ cup hot sauce
- 2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray an 8-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain them and drizzle them with olive oil to prevent them from sticking.
- Stir the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce until creamy.
- Add the chicken, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, and cooked pasta noodles to the cream cheese mixture and stir to combine. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
- Combine the remaining two cheeses and sprinkle over the pasta. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
- Remove and serve immediately with green onions, hot sauce, ranch drizzles, and/or blue cheese crumbles.
Notes
- Cook the pasta until it's al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven later. After draining, drizzle the noodles with olive oil to prevent them from drying out and sticking together.
- Use buffalo wing sauce instead of Frank's hot sauce for a milder buttery flavor.
- Customize the flavor with different cheeses. Mix and match varieties like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Colby Jack, or gouda for a melty texture, or add pepper jack for spice and blue cheese for a buffalo kick!
- Keep the blue cheese dressing and crumbles on the side since not everyone enjoys that strong flavor.
- Complete the meal by adding a side salad and garlic herb bread.
- See more tips and variations in the blog post.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 408Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 516mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 18g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Christopher
OMG!! I just made this and it was sooooooo good. Thank you for putting this recipe out there! Never thought of doing it like that. You made my Sunday night! Oh btw I used Bleu Cheese Dressing and it was amazing!
Jocelyn
I am so excited to hear that you enjoyed the pasta. Thank you for letting me know the blue cheese dressing works great too. I've only done ranch because that is what my kids (and I) like.
Paula
Made the Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake twice one of the times I used Angle Hair Pasta and both were good but I like the angle hair pasta better. I took it to a lunching and everyone love it. Also good to take to lunch the next day. Thanks for sharing.
Mary
What could you suggest as an alternative to ranch since I have a child with an egg allergy? Maybe sour cream or make ranch from packet for the flavor? Looks delicious but hard when you have an egg allergy child. Any suggestions would be great!
Jocelyn
I think using sour cream with a ranch packet would work in place of the dressing. I hope your family enjoys it!
Tracy
I made this and added green chillies and diced jalapeños, then after baking served it with a dollop of sour cream. It was great! To break it up a bit I served tortilla chips and refried beans as a side dish!
Sally
We are having this tonite. I used greek yogurt ranch and whole wheat pasta.
Deb
How did it turn out??
Kristy
What kind of chicken should I use?
Jocelyn
Any kind of cooked and shredded chicken will work in this recipe. We usually buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it while it is warm. Or you can use canned chicken if you are in a hurry! Either one works great!
Jackie
This was fabulous! I seasoned and cooked chicken breasts in crock pot for about 4 hours on low so they were ready to shred when I got home (they were delicious by themselves!) , added Tabasco sauce but not a lot...no where near what recipe calls for because we are sensitive to real spicy hot foods. Also added green peas. We loved it!!
Magan
This sound delicious!!! What are some good side dishes to serve with this.?
Jocelyn
I actually just served the pasta by itself to my family. Coleslaw and celery sticks could be a good option to have along side it if you are wanting more. I hope that helps!
Elizabeth c dallas texas
I didnt realize the pasta called for mozzarella cheese i used Monterrey jack cheese and my pasta was super dry 🙁 i added some sour cream and it helped a little
Jocelyn
Using a different cheese may have been the reason for it being dry. Did you add the sour cream before or after baking?
Mary Lynn
I made it tonight and was very disappointed at the consistancy, I tough it was dry, and I agree I think Bleu Cheese would be much better (being from buffalo) but I had to add milk to loosen the thick cheesy consistancy. Maybe if I shredded the cheese myself. I don't know, but not my favorite
Jocelyn
I hate to ask this but are you sure you measured everything correctly? This dish is far from dry. I have made it many times and it is always creamy and gooey! I'm sorry to hear it didn't turn out for you.
Angel
I added more hot sauce and Ray's buffalo wing sauce to the ingredients. It probably turned into maybe 3/4s cup of sauce and it was really creamy. I shredded my own cheddar cheese and it was fine.
June
What is ranch
And can u use either worstershire sauce or Tabasco sauce
Jocelyn
Ranch is bottled salad dressing you buy at the grocery store. Tabasco sauce is a hot sauce, so it will work for this dish. Worcestershire sauce would not taste right. I hope you enjoy the pasta!
Barb
Except if you are from Buffalo. We don't "do" ranch dressing. BLEU CHEESE and nothing else
Jocelyn
I haven't tried this pasta with bleu cheese, so I don't know how that would be. Actually I know wouldn't like it because I don't like bleu cheese dressing. Let me know if you try it with the other dressing and how you like it.
Colleen
My children DO NOT LIKE BLUE CHEESE!!! But they have never complained about dishes ive made, like yours here, whrn it cintains blye cheese. You have to think of the ingrediants in the blue cheese dressing as individual ingrediants in a recipe in a convenient form. (Dressing). They actually prefer the blue cheese to ranch ingredient meal . The flavor of the dressings change in a complete dinner/casserole)
Jocelyn
That's great that your kids like it when you sub blue cheese. I'm still going to make mine with ranch dressing though because I prefer it that way. But I think it is awesome that so many people have made this recipe with blue cheese and like it that way! We all have different tastes and preferences!
Mike
I agree Bleu Cheese dressing on Buffalo Wings!
Rett
Thank you! I was going to say that, too!
Cindy
I am from Rochester, we use bleu cheese on wings too...have you subbed it for ranch??
Jocelyn
I have actually never used bleu cheese in this dish because I don't like it. But lots of others have left comments saying they used it instead of the ranch. It's just a preference thing.
Colleen
Yes. We keep both dressing and dry packets in both flavors in refrig and pantry. If we run out of one we substitie the other. Even mixing the two. The base for both is the same. Blending both mellows the flavor, of which neither is very strong when in dressing form.
Cindy
I'm going to try this with blue cheese dressings
Kelsie
What do you put the oven on and for how long
Jocelyn
The recipe card clearly states to heat the oven to 375 degrees in step one and to bake it for 20 minutes in step 5. I hope that helps and that you enjoy the cheesy pasta 🙂
Shari
It does not clearly say anything about the temp and how long it takes to cook. I was getting aggravated until I saw this. Thanks!
Jocelyn
The recipe card clearly states the temperature and time in step 1 and step 5. I am sorry you had a hard time finding it.
Missy
You have to click "print" to get the recipie card. Without the card all you see is ingredient list and instructions without the temp/time...i was going nuts also!!!..using my cell i wouldnt normally look for a "print" symbol caus i cant print from my phone.... but i accidently clicked it and bingo!
Jocelyn
I just checked on my desktop and mobile and I could see the entire recipe just fine. Plus, the temperature and time are in the instructions, so it shouldn't matter if you can't see the "card".
JLO
People must be blind...lol
Sarah
On my phone, it wasn't showing the card but on desktop it was showing clearly. I think that part of the page wasn't "loading" in time to see it on some peoples phones
Zac
Frank's RedHot sauce with lime
Becca
This quickly made it into the "favorite dinner" sections of my recipes!! I don't bother broiling it (mostly becasue my broiler is un-usable) and it still get nice and brown on top. So delicious... a little spicy but worth it!!
Vanessa
What kind of hot sauce do you use?
Jocelyn
We usually buy Frank's Red Hot, but I have also used Sweet Baby Ray's Wing Sauce too!
Nadine
Make a sauce using Lawry's Fajita mix-half of that and about 2/3 cup water...cook down until 1/3 cup....it's DELICIOUS and not quite as hot as Frank's. Lawry's is a GREAT fajita mix and especially for chicken...saute onions and red or yellow peppers and YUM.....
Pat Wilson
Is this real spicy hot? Also could you freeze it and bake later?
Jocelyn
I didn't think it was that spicy. There is only 1/3 cup in the whole pasta dish. It blends with the ranch, cheese, and pasta, so you do not just taste hot sauce. If you are worried it will be too spicy, try cutting it down to 1/4 cup. Also, I haven't tried freezing this dish, so I'm not quite sure how it would do. I think it would be fine if you put all together and then freeze it later. I would let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and then take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you bake it. I hope that helps.
Alyssa
What kind of hot sauce do u use. I'm thinking of making this dish tonight
Jocelyn
We like Frank's Red Hot the best. But I have also used a buffalo wing sauce and we really liked that one too. I hope you enjoyed it.
Elizabeth
Does it have to be green onion or will any be ok? I'd love to make this and have everything but green onions lol.
Jocelyn
You could totally leave the green onion out. I just used it as a garnish when I served it. I hope you enjoy it!
Lisa
I did the noodles gluten free and used a 9x13 pan. I wanted to use up the 12 oz of noodles that I had. I also blended some of the cheese in with the noodles before I topped it with more cheese. We love cheese. It was still creamy on the inside after.
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures
I can only imagine preparing a meal every night is hard work! This looks delicious!
Heather Kinnaird
I cannot wait to make this! we lob buffalo chicken dip and pasta always goes over well in our house, so the two combined are sure to be a hit
Medha
This looks super creamy and full of flavor 🙂
Sherry
Do I boil chicken first or fry
Jocelyn
You will use cooked chicken in the recipe. I usually use canned chicken or buy a precooked chicken and shred it for meals like this.
Amanda
I put a couple skinless boneless chicken breasts in the crockpot on low for 6hrs and shredded it. Yumm
Beverly Armstrong
When you cook a couple in the crockpot, do you season with anything? Any liquid necessary?
Thanks, Bev
Jocelyn
When I cook chicken in a crockpot, I usually add about 1/2 cup chicken broth (or water) for every pound of chicken. This way the chicken doesn't dry out as it cooks. If you are cooking it for this particular recipe, there is no need to season it. If you are cooking it for other things, you can sprinkle it with salt and pepper or your favorite poultry seasoning. I hope that helps and you enjoy the recipe.
Beverly
I just wanted to say what a patient person you are and that this recipe looks really good and easy.
Jocelyn
🙂
Aria
How is it and what does it taste like because I want o cook my mom dinner tonight.
Teresa
It just like chicken wings if you think of it that way just adding pasta and cheese.
I made this and doubled it I'm feeding 4 it was great will be making it again.
Cuivre
I used two 9.75 oz cans of chicken breast meat-I diced up finely. This was a GREAT tasting dish! I used Franks Red Hot sauce for wings.
mary roering
I boiled the chicken first...this is so flavorful and delicious!!!!! yummy
Monica
Does this freeze well? I’m working on freezer meals for when our baby boy is born and this dish is one of our favorites. But I’m not sure how it would hold up being frozen.
Jocelyn
I have honestly never tried freezing this casserole. But I think it would work just fine. Make everything up until you bake it, then let the pasta cool to room temp. Cover and freeze in a tightly sealed container. Then thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. Uncover and bake until heated through. I hope that helps and congratulations on the new baby boy!
Missy@My Sh!tty Kitchen
This is right up my alley, I love buffalo flavors! I will be making this! Thanks for sharing!