Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake (Printable)

Tender chicken and pasta baked in creamy, fiery buffalo sauce with melted cheese for a cozy meal.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Sauce Base

03 - 1 1/4 cups buffalo wing sauce
04 - 1/2 cup low-fat ranch dressing
05 - 1/2 cup low-fat cream cheese, softened

→ Cheese

06 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Vegetables

08 - 1/2 cup diced celery
09 - 1/2 cup diced green onion

→ Optional Garnishes

10 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
11 - Additional buffalo wing sauce, for drizzling

# Method:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together the buffalo wing sauce, low-fat ranch dressing, and softened cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
04 - Add the cooked pasta, prepared chicken, diced celery, and green onions to the bowl with the sauce. Toss gently until all components are evenly coated.
05 - Stir in half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the pasta mixture.
06 - Transfer the combined pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly distribute the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the top.
07 - Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and shows a light golden hue.
08 - Remove from the oven and allow the bake to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and an extra drizzle of buffalo wing sauce, if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 45 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner
  • Budget friendly especially when using leftover chicken
  • Familiar flavors that even picky eaters will enjoy
  • Makes excellent leftovers for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Easily customizable to your preferred heat level
  • Perfect for meal prep as it reheats beautifully
  • Great way to use up leftover cooked chicken
  • Freezes well for up to 3 months
03 -
  • For the absolute best flavor, let the assembled pasta bake sit for 10-15 minutes before baking to allow the pasta to absorb some of the sauce flavors.
  • The cheese melts better when freshly grated rather than using pre-packaged shredded cheese which contains anti-caking agents.
  • For a crispier top, switch the oven to broil for the final 1-2 minutes of cooking, but watch carefully to prevent burning.

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