You can never go wrong with cheesy pasta, my kids request it every week! I often make pizza pasta, taco pasta and this delicious buffalo chicken version.
Buffalo chicken pasta marries the classic flavor of buffalo chicken with a cheesy pasta that bakes up golden and bubbly. This easy to make recipe will satisfy the whole family. If you love this recipe, you’ll also love my super simple crock pot buffalo chicken!
How do you make buffalo chicken pasta?
This dish starts with frozen chicken fingers, which are baked until crispy, then chopped into bite sized pieces. The pasta simmers in a thickened mixture of milk and water, then seasonings, cheese, buffalo sauce, and the chicken fingers are added into the mix. The next step is to transfer the pasta to a baking dish and add a layer of cheese on top. Bake the pasta until the cheese is melted. Garnish your dish with more chopped chicken fingers, buffalo sauce, diced celery and green onions, then serve!
Tips for buffalo chicken pasta
You should freshly grated cheese for this recipe. The pre-shredded cheeses are often coated in preservatives and anti-caking agents and just don’t melt as smoothly. Whole milk works well to make the sauce smooth and creamy. If you don’t have any whole milk, you can also use low fat milk. I wouldn’t use non-fat milk for this recipe. I like to use Frank’s Red Hot sauce for this dish as its flavor and heat work well with the pasta. This recipe makes a baked pasta with a medium heat level. If you want a spicier dish, use more buffalo sauce, 1/2 cup would nicely increase the heat.
Buffalo chicken pasta variations
This buffalo pasta is creamy and delicious. However, you can try some fun changes to the recipe to suit your tastes.
Seafood: For a taste of the sea, use popcorn shrimp instead of chicken fingers. Cheese: Try adding in some different types of cheese like Fontina, Mozzarella or Gouda. Always use a cheese that melts well. Pasta: Most short pasta shapes work for this recipe, such as small shells, fusilli, or cellentani. Toppings: Finish off your pasta with a sprinkle of blue cheese, bacon or diced tomatoes.
Can you make baked pasta ahead of time?
You can make baked pasta ahead of time. This dish stays fresh for 3 days in the refrigerator. Simply reheat the pasta in the oven when you are ready to serve it. Cover the pasta and place it in the oven at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Uncover the pasta and place it back in the oven for another 10 minutes. The cheese should be bubbly when it is ready.
This buffalo pasta is a fun twist on classic buffalo wings that is perfect for dinner with family or friends. It combines a hearty pasta with the spice and flavor of buffalo sauce and it’s sure to be a hit!
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