Bold Buffalo flavor meets creamy, cheesy mac in this Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe. It's perfect for game day or family dinner!
I can honestly say that I'd never eaten anything resembling Buffalo Chicken until I met Keith. Now I can't imagine a party without a Buffalo-flavored something: Buffalo Chicken Dip, Game Day Wings, or Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches. That signature combination of spicy Buffalo Sauce and creamy, cheesy goodness is the ultimate comfort food.
Like our Pub Style Mac and Cheese, this recipe packs a bold hit of flavor that takes Mac and Cheese to a whole new level. It's an excellent fusion of Buffalo Wings and traditional Mac and Cheese, and it's sure to become your new family favorite.
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Ingredients
- PASTA: we used Cavatappi pasta for this recipe because it holds the cheese sauce well. We also like pasta shells, Ditali, Elbow Macaroni, or any short grain pasta
- CHICKEN: chicken, cooked and shredded (you can also used canned chicken)
- CREAM CHEESE: this is the key to super creamy macaroni & cheese (that re-heats with ease!) Full fat cream cheese and Neufchâtel cheese works
- CHEDDAR JACK CHEESE: we like a mix of shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese
- HOT SAUCE: (hot pepper sauce or Buffalo Sauce) we like Frank's Red Hot Sauce or Texas Pete Hot Sauce
- BUTTER: (split) salted butter or unsalted butter works, depending on your taste
- 4 tbsp. flour
- WHOLE MILK: whole milk makes a richer sauce. You can also use 2% milk or skim milk
- RANCH DRESSING: a little ranch dressing gives this classic buffalo chicken flavor
- CELERY SEED: whole celery seed
- BREAD CRUMBS: we like Panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven: preheat oven to 325°F
- Cook pasta: In a large stock pot, boil water and cook pasta until al dente.
- Drain pasta: Drain pasta, reserving 2 C of the water.
- Melt butter: In the same sauce pan, add 4 tablespoon butter and melt over medium heat. Add flour and combine.
- Add pasta water: Add reserved pasta water and milk and cook over medium heat until thickened.
- Make cheese sauce: Add cheeses, ranch dressing and celery seed.
- Add pasta to cheese sauce: Add cooked pasta and stir until combined.
- Mix in chicken and hot sauce: Add shredded chicken and hot sauce and continue to cook over low heat until desired thickness (If consistency is too thick add a little more milk).
- Transfer to baking dish: Transfer to oven-safe dish sprayed with cooking spray.
- Prepare bread crumbs: In a small mixing bowl, combine bread crumbs with melted 4 tbsp. butter.
- Bake: Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over mac and cheese and bake for 20 minutes.
- Serve: Remove from oven and enjoy
🔪Top tip
To save time, use canned chicken or store bought rotisserie chicken in this recipe.
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Variations
- Cheese: we like a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack, but you an also use mozzarella. All of these are creamy and melt well.
- Spicy: add more hot sauce or add a spicier sauce (habanero sauce) for an extra kick.
- Toppings: top it with Panko bread crumbs, toasted bread crumbs, or blue cheese crumbles.
- Vegetarian: omit the chicken. This recipe tastes just as good without it.
🧀 More Mac and Cheese Recipes
- Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese: made with smoked gouda cheese and crispy bacon bits, this elevated mac and cheese recipe is creamy comfort food for adults.
- Pub Style Mac and Cheese: made with sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese and beer, this bar food style macaroni and cheese is unforgettable.
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a sauce pan over medium heat (or in microwave), adding a little milk if necessary.
- Make ahead: make the recipe a day ahead of time. Cover it, and store in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat it in the oven or on the stovetop until heated through.
FAQ
Buffalo Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish combined with spicy buffalo sauce, typically served with chicken or topped with breadcrumbs for extra crunch. It’s a delicious fusion of classic mac and cheese with the bold flavors of buffalo wings.
A combination of cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, and cream cheese works best for Buffalo Mac and Cheese. Cheddar adds sharpness, and cream cheese brings creaminess. You can also top it with blue cheese crumbles for authentic Buffalo Wing flavor.
To reduce the heat, you can use less buffalo sauce or choose a milder buffalo sauce brand. You can also add more cheese or cream cheese to balance the spiciness.
Yes, you can prepare Buffalo Mac and Cheese ahead of time. Simply follow the recipe, cover it, and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat it in the oven or on the stovetop until heated through.
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Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe
Bold buffalo flavor meets creamy, cheesy mac in this Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe. It's perfect for game day or family dinner!
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4 quarts 1x
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta, uncooked
- 8 ounces chicken, cooked and shredded
- 6 ounces low-fat cream cheese
- 6 ounces cheddar/ jack cheese shredded
- 6 ounces hot sauce (this can be varied to taste)
- 8 tbsp. butter (split)
- 4 tbsp. flour
- 1 C whole milk
- ½ C ranch dressing
- 1 tbsp. celery seed
- 1 C Panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F
- In a large stock pot, boil water and cook pasta until al dente
- Drain pasta, reserving 2 C of the water.
- In the same sauce pan, add 4 tablespoon butter and melt over medium heat. Add flour and combine.
- Add reserved pasta water and milk and cook over medium heat until thickened.
- Add cheeses, ranch dressing and celery seed.
- Add cooked pasta and stir until combined.
- Add shredded chicken and hot sauce and continue to cook over low heat until desired thickness (If consistency is too thick add a little more milk).
- Transfer to oven-safe dish sprayed with cooking spray.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine bread crumbs with melted 4 tbsp. butter.
- Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over mac and cheese and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and enjoy
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Jackie says
Our whole family loves this recipe! The buffalo flavor adds just the right amount of kick! It heats up just as good the next day too!