Description
Sizzling Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake brings spicy comfort to dinner tables with its creamy, zesty blend of tender chicken and cheesy pasta. Hearty layers meld bold flavors that satisfy cravings and promise a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (8 ounces / 226 grams) penne pasta
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sauce and Creamy Components:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/3 cup hot sauce
Garnish:
- Green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly coat an 8-inch casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook penne pasta in boiling water until it reaches al dente texture, then drain thoroughly and lightly coat with olive oil to prevent clumping.
- Create a creamy sauce by whisking cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Fold shredded chicken into the sauce, ensuring the meat is evenly coated and mixed thoroughly.
- Add the cooked pasta to the chicken and sauce mixture, gently stirring to distribute ingredients uniformly.
- Incorporate half the mozzarella cheese into the pasta and chicken blend, mixing gently to distribute evenly.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the dish, creating a complete cheese coverage.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the dish to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Choose spicy ranch for extra kick, or mild ranch for less heat if preferred.
- Swap penne with gluten-free pasta to make dish celiac-friendly.
- Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking and consistent texture.
- Try different cheese blends like pepper jack or sharp cheddar to customize flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg