Buffalo chicken pasta is a creamy, flavorful and easy meal. Full of chicken, pasta, cheese, and buffalo sauce, this is a casserole dinner that’s sure to be a big hit. Be sure to check out these tips and tricks for making the best buffalo chicken pasta recipe, one of our most popular recipes on the blog.

Buffalo chicken wraps are another one of our favorite buffalo chicken recipes and a wonderful way to use up leftover chicken.

 

Why you’ll love this recipe

This buffalo chicken pasta casserole is a quick and easy comfort food meal. My kids request this meal at least once every few weeks.

A great mix of chicken, cheese, pasta, and buffalo sauce that will leave you feeling satisfied. Sure to become a family favorite meal.

Ingredients needed

• Chicken – Use any kind of cooked chicken you have on hand like rotisserie chicken, cooked chicken breasts, crockpot buffalo chicken, or even canned chicken.
• Buffalo sauce – I like using Frank’s buffalo wing sauce or this easy homemade buffalo sauce.
• Pasta – Choose your favorite pasta. I like using rigatoni, mostaccioli, penne pasta, ziti, or rotini.
• Cheese – I used a mixture a of mozzarella cheese and colby jack cheese.
• Cream cheese – Be sure to soften the cream cheese to make it easier to mix.
• Ranch dressing – This adds creaminess and flavor to the dish. You can also replace ranch with blue cheese dressing.
• Garlic powder – Adds extra flavor. Feel free to omit if you don’t like garlic.
• Optional – Diced green onions and or blue cheese crumbles for garnish.

How to make Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Scroll to the bottom for full, printable recipe, ingredients and video. 

1. Pasta: Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain off water once finished cooking.
2. Mix: In a large bowl, stir together cream cheese, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, and ranch dressing until combined. Stir in shredded chicken and half of the cheese. Stir in cooked pasta.
3. Bake: Spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mixture into the dish and top with extra cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F. for approximately 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Tips and variations

• Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature before mixing with other ingredients. If limited on time, place the cream cheese in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to help soften.
• Try adding a few vegetables for added texture. Saute 1 cup of diced celery and 1/4 cup diced onion for 4-5 minutes and add to the pasta mixture before baking,
• I recommend shredding your own cheese. It melts really well and is so much more creamy. Pre-shredded cheese works well too but there is something so delicious about freshly shredded cheese.
• Don’t have buffalo sauce, make your own or substitute with Frank’s Red Hot sauce.

How to store

Store: Be sure that the buffalo chicken pasta bake has completely cooled. Cover with foil and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can store leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

How to freeze buffalo chicken pasta bake

Freeze after baking: Make sure the casserole is completely cooled. Place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until warmed through.

Freeze before baking: You can also freeze before baking. Assemble the casserole and then place in a freezer safe casserole dish. Cover tightly with foil and place in the freezer.

What to serve with this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe

A few favorite side dishes to serve with this buffalo chicken pasta dish are:

• Garlic bread
• Fresh salad
• Cucumber salad
• Celery and carrots

FAQ’s

More easy pasta recipes

• Baked mostaccioli – Cheesy pasta bake with crumbled Italian sausage.
• Baked ravioli – Ravioli baked with sauce and cheese.
• Fiesta chicken casserole – Pasta baked with chicken, cheese, black beans, corn, and more.
• Green pasta sauce – Delicious and nutritious sauce made with spinach.
• Pork noodle casserole – Egg noodles, veggies, and pork.
• Ground beef alfredo pasta – Super simple meal.
• Cheesy mac and cheese with beef – A hearty, comfort food meal.

Let me know if you made this chicken casserole below.