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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake: A Creamy Weeknight Favorite
Youssef Hb

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Indulge in this ultimate comfort meal that perfectly balances zesty buffalo heat with a rich, velvety cheese sauce. This easy-to-assemble pasta bake is a weeknight lifesaver, combining tender chicken and al dente ziti in a creamy roux-based sauce. Perfect for busy evenings, this restaurant-quality dish ensures every bite is packed with satisfying flavor, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for the entire family.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: DINNER
Cuisine: American Fusion
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 10 ounces Ziti pasta
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning
  • 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 3/4 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
  3. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
  4. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute to form a roux.
  5. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth and thickened.
  6. Stir in the cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and buffalo sauce until melted and combined.
  7. Fold in the shredded chicken and cooked pasta until evenly coated.
  8. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
  9. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake until bubbly and golden, approximately 15-20 minutes.

Notes

Use penne or rigatoni if ziti is unavailable. Freshly shredded mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded varieties. For extra heat, add a few splashes of additional buffalo sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.