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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Indulge in the creamy, spicy comfort of a pasta bake that balances tangy buffalo heat with cool ranch creaminess — perfect for weeknights and potlucks alike.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken
  • 12 ounce penne pasta Use warm, drained pasta for even coating.
  • 2 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced Leftover rotisserie chicken works great.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 8 ounce cream cheese, softened Microwave briefly if stubborn to mix.
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing Can swap with blue cheese dressing.
  • 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce Fresh buffalo sauce can be used.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • To taste Salt and pepper
Cheese Toppings
  • 2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided 1 cup for mixing and 1 cup for topping.
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoon sliced green onions Optional garnish.
  • To taste blue cheese crumbles Optional topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, and buffalo wing sauce. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  4. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the sauce mixture. Stir well to combine.
Mixing
  1. Add the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese to the sauce. Stir until everything is well coated.
Baking
  1. Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the cheddar cheese.
  2. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly around the edges.
  3. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and optional blue cheese. Serve hot.

Notes

Serve straight from the baking dish with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables. Offer extra ranch, blue cheese dressing, or buffalo sauce on the side for guests who want to adjust the heat.