Buffalo Chicken Pasta

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.

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

This buffalo chicken pasta casserole is a quick and easy comfort food meal. A great mix of chicken, cheese, pasta and buffalo sauce that will leave you feeling satisfied. 

We love serving this with a side of Texas toast, celery and carrots or a side salad for a complete meal. 

Ingredients needed

Chicken – Use any kind of cooked chicken you have on hand like rotisserie chicken, cooked chicken breast, or even canned chicken. Shred the chicken into small pieces to make it easier to eat. 

Buffalo sauce – I like using Frank’s buffalo sauce or this easy homemade buffalo sauce. 

Pasta – Choose your favorite pasta. I like rigatoni, mostaccioli, penne, ziti, and rotini. 

Cheese – I used a mixture of mozzarella and colby jack cheese. You could substitute with cheddar or another cheese that melts well. 

Cream cheese – Be sure to softened the cream cheese. 

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 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 the cheese. Stir in pasta.
3. Bake: Spray 9 x 13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mixture into dish and top with extra cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 20 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

Recipe tips and variations

• Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature before mixing with other ingredients. If limited on time, place cream cheese in microwave for 10-15 seconds to help soften.
•  Try adding a few vegetables for added texture. Saute 1 cup 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 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 also place into 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 10 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 freezer. 

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. 
• Cream cheese pasta – Easy cream cheese sauce with pasta. 
• Green pasta sauce – Delicious and nutritious sauce made with spinach. 

*** If you made this recipe, please feel free to leave a comment and star rating below.