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Home » Recipes » Easy Dinners

Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Published: Sep 24, 2023 · Updated: Feb 29, 2024 by Marye

This easy buffalo chicken pasta bake recipe has layers of flavor from the extra cheesy pasta to the buttery cracker topping. You can assemble it a day or two ahead of time if you need to - and it takes just 30 minutes!
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 30 minutes minutes
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Close up of casserole dish with a serving removed.
Overhead view of finished pasta dish with text overlay for Pinterest.
Closeup of a serving of pasta being removed from the dish with a text overlay for Pintrest.

This easy chicken dinner is one of our favorites!

Overhead view of buffalo chicken pasta in a casserole dish with title text overlay.
Table of Contents
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • Casserole times and temps
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 💭 Things to know
  • Great idea
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve Buffalo chicken penne pasta bake with
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • This casserole is rich, creamy, and full of spicy Buffalo chicken flavor. It's a great way to feed a crowd and use up leftover chicken.
  • I love this Buffalo chicken penne pasta bake recipe for potlucks and family dinners.
  • So easy to assemble ahead of time!

Y'all, I love a dish that goes together fast and comes out perfectly every time. I'm not saying you'll get a standing ovation when you put it on the table but...

It could happen.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

*Note - The bacon crumbles are not shown in the image below.

Ingredients for this recipe.

📖 Variations

  • Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for the chicken breast.
  • Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
  • Try a different kind of pasta, such as elbow macaroni or shells.
  • Add some chopped green bell peppers or red onions.
  • Add some melted butter to the hot sauce to tone it down if you love the flavor but not the heat.
  • Adding sour cream makes buffalo chicken casserole even creamier and reduces the spice level of the buffalo sauce.
  • Use blue cheese instead of ranch dressing in this cheesy pasta if you prefer blue cheese dressing with your buffalo wings.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions for this buffalo chicken pasta bake. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Step by step instructions for making this recipe.
  1. Mix together cream cheese, cottage cheese, ranch, and hot sauce until smooth and evenly mixed.
  2. Add chicken, 1 cup of cheese mixture, and the pasta noodles to the cream cheese mixture, then spoon into the prepared baking dish. 
  3. Mix the remaining cheese and spread over the top of the casserole.
  4. Sprinkle the top of the pasta with Ritz crackers, then bake per the directions on the recipe card. 

Casserole times and temps

Sometimes you need to bake two things at once - here's how to adjust the time and/or temperatures of your casserole!

These times are only an estimate. Be sure to check your casserole often. It's done when an instant-read thermometer registers 165F when stuck in the middle of the casserole.

TemperatureTimeTime From Frozen
300F451 hour 15 minutes
325F351 hour
350F25 minutes50 minutes
375F20 minutes40 minutes
400F15 minutes30-35 minutes
Overhead view of the finished dish.

🥫 Storage

Leftover buffalo chicken pasta bake can be stored it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Let the casserole come to room temperature. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or put in an airtight container and refrigerate.

Freeze

This casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, then reheat as directed above. If you are planning on freezing it then it's best to leave the cracker crumbs off until you reheat it.

Reheat

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen.

Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes or microwave in 1-minute intervals until warmed through.

A serving of pasta being lifted from the casserole dish.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: I use Frank's Hot Sauce in this because it's thicker and has more texture than other brands. It coats the other ingredients much better.

  • Once you mix the pasta and chicken with the sauce get it in the oven as quickly as possible - the pasta will absorb some of the sauce and get dry. If this happens just add ½ cup milk or half & half around the edges.
  • If you don't have Ritz crackers on hand, any type of cracker will work.
  • I like to cook my pasta al dente per the package directions because it will continue to cook in the oven.
  • A dash of garlic powder and black pepper added to the cream cheese mixture will add additional flavor to this pasta dish.
Overhead view of a plate piled high with pasta.

Great idea

Double or triple this Buffalo chicken penne pasta recipe. Bake one for now. Leave the crackers, bacon, and green onions off the other two casseroles. Cover with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, then label with the name, date, and baking instructions. Add the bacon, crackers, and green onions as directed in the recipe the day you serve it.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can definitely make buffalo chicken pasta casserole ahead of time. Just assemble everything as directed in the recipe - but leave off the cracker crumbs. Cover and refrigerate until you're ready to bake it. When you're ready to eat, add the cracker crumb layer and bake it according to the directions in the recipe card.

Can I use raw chicken in this recipe?

No, you will need to use cooked chicken for this recipe. You can poach a boneless skinless chicken breast if you don't have any cooked chicken on hand.

Can I substitute chicken with a vegetarian alternative?

You bet! Try using vegetarian chicken substitutes or tofu to make a delicious vegetarian buffalo pasta bake. You may need to adjust the cooking time.

How spicy is this buffalo chicken casserole?

The heat level depends on the sauce you use. The pasta helps cool it some. You can control the heat by adding more or less buffalo sauce, or even using a milder sauce variation.

Can I use any type of pasta for the buffalo chicken and pasta bake?

You sure can! Choose your favorite or whatever you happen to have on hand.

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  • Poppy Seed Chicken is an easy meal for nights when you want something hearty without a lot of effort.
  • Million Dollar Casserole is an easy dinner that's creamy, cheesy, and always a hit with the entire family.
  • Tamale Pie is a family favorite.
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🍽️ Serve Buffalo chicken penne pasta bake with

Wondering what goes with this easy pasta bake? What about...

  • These Maple Roasted Carrots are sweet, tender and pair well with this easy pasta recipe.
  • If you are looking for a fresh side salad to pair with this pasta, give this Italian Green Bean Salad a try.
  • This No Bake Strawberry Shortcake is an easy dessert that the whole family will love.
  • Close up of finished carrots.
    Maple Roasted Carrots
  • Overhead view of a bowl of green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, and red onions created for the feature image of this post.
    Marinated green bean salad
  • Closeup of the cake for the recipe card and feature image.
    No Bake Strawberry Shortcake

📞 The last word

I love this easy buffalo chicken pasta recipe! It checks all the boxes for comfort food and flavor!

Sometimes I bake it with a layer of French fried onions on top.

It's a fun twist on buffalo wings (which I don't care for because I'm lazy and boneless is just easier.)

You'll also love this copycat Popeye's blacked chicken if you like spicy flavors.

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If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Close up of casserole dish with a serving removed.

Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

5 from 1 vote
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This easy buffalo chicken pasta bake recipe has layers of flavor from the extra cheesy pasta to the buttery cracker topping. You can assemble it a day or two ahead of time if you need to - and it takes just 30 minutes!
Course Casserole
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings:8
Calories:615
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces penne pasta
  • 8 ounces package cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • ½ cup hot sauce, I used Frank's Red Hot Thick
  • 2 ½ cups chicken, cooked and diced, (about 1 ½ lbs raw)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, about 4 ounces shredded from a block
  • 1 cups cheddar cheese, about 4 ounces shredded from a block - I like sharp cheddar for this
  • 1 cup cottage cheese, optional
  • 15 Ritz crackers, about 1 sleeve, crushed
  • ¼ cup butter
  • green onions, for garnish
  • bacon crumbles, for garnish - optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray.
  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  • Drain.
  • Stir together the cream cheese, cottage cheese, ranch, and hot sauce until smooth and creamy.
  • Mix the Cheddar and Mozzarella cheeses.
  • Add the chicken, 1 cup cheese mixture, and cooked pasta noodles to the cream cheese mixture and stir to combine.
  • Spoon into the prepared dish.
  • Combine the remaining cheese and sprinkle over the top of the pasta.
  • Melt butter.
  • Stir the melted butter into the Ritz cracker crumbs.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, or until heated through.
  • Remove from oven, drizzle with more hot sauce and Ranch. Garnish with sliced green onion and bacon crumbles if desired.

Notes

Storage:
Leftover buffalo chicken pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or put in an airtight container.
Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes or microwave until warmed through.
This casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat as directed above. 
Tips:
  • I use Frank's Hot Sauce in this because it's thicker and has more texture than other brands. It coats the other ingredients much better.
  • Once you mix the pasta and chicken with the sauce get it in the oven as quickly as possible - the pasta will absorb some of the sauce. If this happens just add ½ cup milk or half & half around the edges.
  • If you don't have Ritz crackers on hand, any type of cracker will work.
  • I like to cook my pasta to al dente per the package directions because it will continue to cook in the oven.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 615kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 1140mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 916IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 250mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

First published March 31, 2022. Last updated September 24, 2023, for editorial improvements.

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About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

    5 from 1 vote

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    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. April O says

    September 08, 2024 at 11:57 pm

    5 stars
    I make this once a week! My husband loves taking left overs to work the next day! Our family absolutely loves this!!

    Reply
  2. Nelena Donovan says

    March 31, 2022 at 9:41 am

    I love your recipes! I also love how easy it is to find the recipe.I can go right to it.Keep up the good work!

    Nelena Donovan.❤️🙏🏼😄

    Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

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