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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is your new go-to dinner recipe! If you love the bold flavor of buffalo chicken wings or buffalo chicken dip, this cheesy and comforting easy dish is it. Creamy, spicy, and loaded with melty cheese, this pasta dish is the perfect weeknight meal that comes together in under an hour. With tender chicken, ranch, hot sauce, and a blend of cheeses baked to golden perfection, it’s everything you love about buffalo chicken in a hearty pasta casserole.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, meal-prepping for the week, or hosting game day, this easy buffalo chicken pasta recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
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Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Quick and easy – ready in under an hour.
- Perfect for leftovers – reheats beautifully for lunches and dinners.
- Game-day ready – all the bold, tangy buffalo flavor in cheesy baked pasta form.
- Family-friendly – adjust the spice level by adding more or less hot sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything to grab for this cheesy pasta bake:
- penne pasta, uncooked
- cream cheese, softened
- ranch dressing
- sour cream
- hot sauce or buffalo wing sauce
- shredded, cooked chicken
- mozzarella cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
- blue cheese dressing (+ more for garnish)
- green onions
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Follow these simple steps for the ultimate creamy, spicy, cheesy pasta casserole:
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cook the Pasta
Cook the penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce
In a large bowl, stir together the cream cheese, ranch dressing, sour cream, and hot sauce until smooth and creamy.
4. Mix in the Chicken and Pasta
Add the shredded chicken, ½ cup mozzarella, and the cooked pasta. Stir until the noodles are fully coated in the buffalo sauce mixture. Spread into the prepared baking dish.
5. Top with Cheese
Mix together the remaining mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and blue cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the pasta mixture.
6. Bake
Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
7. Garnish and Serve
Top with chopped green onions, a drizzle of hot sauce, and a little extra ranch or blue cheese dressing. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Make it spicier: Add extra hot sauce or sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use rotisserie chicken: A quick shortcut for busy weeknights.
- Swap the cheese: Try sharp cheddar or pepper jack for a different flavor kick.
- Meal prep friendly: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Pasta
This cheesy, spicy pasta pairs perfectly with simple side dishes like:
- Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks
- Crisp garden salad with ranch
- Roasted vegetables or steamed broccoli
- Celery and carrot sticks (just like with buffalo wings!)
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Variations
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese – swap penne for elbow macaroni.
- Buffalo Chicken Alfredo Pasta – mix in some alfredo sauce for extra creaminess.
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Skillet – skip the baking step and serve straight from the skillet for a stovetop version.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- 9×13 Casserole dish
- Cooking spray – If you don’t have cooking spray, you can brush your pan with a light coating of oil or butter.
- Large Bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta uncooked
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup ranch dressing + more for garnish
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup hot sauce plus more for serving
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup blue cheese dressing + more for garnish
- 2 Tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the oven. Preheat the oven to 375° and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook the pasta. Cook your pasta according to the package directions.
- Make the sauce. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together the soft cream cheese, ranch dressing, sour cream, and hot sauce until fully combined.
- Add more to the filling. Add the chicken, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, and cooked pasta noodles to the cream cheese mixture and stir until the pasta is completely coated with the sauce. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Top with cheese. Combine the remaining mozzarella, monteray jack, and blue cheeses and spread them evenly over the pasta. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with green onions and a drizzle of hot sauce, and blue cheese dressing. Serve warm.
