Description
A creamy and spicy Ranch Buffalo Pasta Bake combining tender shredded chicken, penne pasta, and a tangy buffalo ranch sauce, topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses for a comforting and flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
Sauce
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the penne or rigatoni pasta until just shy of al dente, then drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Make Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and softened cream cheese. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for balanced flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and half of the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Pour the buffalo ranch sauce over this mixture and stir thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Assemble Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top for a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. For an extra crispy cheese topping, broil the bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes, allowing it to set. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions for freshness and color.
- Serve: Serve the Ranch Buffalo Pasta Bake warm and enjoy its rich, spicy, and creamy flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the spice level.
- If cream cheese is too firm, microwave briefly to soften for easier mixing.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free if needed.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: buffalo chicken pasta, ranch buffalo bake, creamy buffalo pasta, chicken pasta bake, spicy pasta casserole
