Description
If you’re craving comfort food with a spicy twist, this Ranch Buffalo Pasta Bake delivers everything you want—creamy, cheesy, tangy, and just the right kick of heat. Imagine tender pasta coated in a velvety buffalo ranch sauce, baked under a golden, bubbly cheese topping, and finished with a sprinkle of green onions and blue cheese crumbles for the ultimate flavor punch. It’s weeknight-friendly, easy to prep ahead, and guaranteed to satisfy both buffalo sauce fans and mac-and-cheese lovers alike.
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
4 oz cream cheese
3/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
3/4 cup ranch dressing
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional, for topping)
2 tablespoons butter (for breadcrumbs, optional)
1/2 cup panko or plain breadcrumbs (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni pasta and cook until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt cream cheese. Add buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing, whisking until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
3. Add the drained pasta and cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir in 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top evenly with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
5. For the optional topping, melt butter in a small skillet and stir in breadcrumbs until lightly toasted. Sprinkle evenly over the pasta.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let cool for 5–10 minutes after baking.
7. Top with blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken for an even quicker prep.
Adjust the spice level by using more or less buffalo sauce.
For extra crunch, don’t skip the toasted breadcrumb topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 486
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1270mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 74mg
Keywords: buffalo chicken pasta, pasta bake, buffalo recipes, easy dinner, comfort food