This cozy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is the ultimate Midwest-style comfort food. It’s creamy, spicy, protein-packed, and loaded with hidden veggies, all tossed together and baked to perfection. It’s an easy, family-friendly casserole that feels like a warm hug on a cold day (a specialty in my house).
You’re going to LOVE this Buffalo Chicken Bake
This delicious recipe started with a large patch of shredded chicken sitting in my fridge. I knew I could make my go-to Napa Almond Chicken Salad recipe with it or Buffalo Chicken Sliders, but it was the middle of winter and I wanted something that felt like a warm hug. In the midwest, we call that a casserole.
So I developed this tasty, toss-it-together baked pasta dish that is packed with protein, over 2+ cups of hidden veggies, and will satisfy the whole family. Simple to make & delicious to eat, what more can you ask for?!
And if you loveeee buffalo chicken, also try my Buffalo Pasta Salad, these Buffalo Chicken Totchos or this Buffalo Chicken Crunch Wrap, which I’m sure you’ll love, too!
Casserole Inspo
My chicken taco casserole is one of the best on my site, but a personal favorite is my Big-Mac Casserole (which is definitely more like a deconstructed burger with a special sauce situation, but sure, casserole-ish. This Buffalo Chicken Cheesy Casserole might be a new fav!
Recipe Ingredients
- Pasta – Any short noodle works here. I used Barilla Protein+ Rotini, but try Banza chickpea pasta or just plain penne pasta.
- Plain Greek Yogurt – To help create a rich and creamy base.
- Cheese – For the cheese mixture we’re using cream cheese, cottage cheese, colby jack and shredded cheddar cheese. Feel free to swap/add mozzarella cheese or even blue cheese crumbles if that’s your thing.
- Cauliflower – I love adding some hidden veggies for extra nutrients.
- Chicken – I like using rotisserie chicken for simplicity’s sake.
- Buffalo Sauce – I used Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Absolutely could add greens to this recipe. It was practically begging me to put chopped spinach in it…but to keep integrity to the OG buffalo chicken dip inspiration (perfect for game day), it stayed on the bench.
- Also consider adding chopped broccoli or bell peppers, which I think would go well, too!
How to Make This Recipe
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Start by cooking the noodles according to package instructions minus 1-2 minutes so they’re al dente. Drain, but do not rinse!
2. While the pasta cooks a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until whipped. Mix in the cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, greek yogurt, ranch seasoning mix and buffalo sauce. Use the electric mixer or rubber spatula.
3. Once mixed together, add the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, frozen cauliflower rice, ranch seasoning mix, and green onions to the bowl. Stir until combined.
4. Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray and transfer the pasta mixture into it. Top with shredded Colby Jack, cover with tinfoil. Bake for 22-25 minutes until you have golden brown melted cheese on top.
5. Serve hot, garnished with a drizzle of buffalo sauce! Enjoy!!
PRO TIPS
- This makes a LARGE casserole. You could split it into two and give one to a friend. As my grandmother says, nothing soothes like a casserole. Very 60s of her, lol.
- Want a saucier casserole? Divide the mixture into 2 pyrex dishes (to make room) and stir in 1 cup of whole milk to the mixture before baking. It will make it creamier (more like a mac and cheese).
Recipe FAQs
Let the buffalo chicken casserole cool completely, then cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. It’s great for meal prep! For longer storage, portion it out and freeze for up to 2–3 months for an easy dinner ready to reheat-and-eat later.
No – they won’t cook (there isn’t enough liquid to cook the noodles). Check out my Lasagna Soup recipe or Caprese Orzo Skillet instead!
IMO it’s perfectly balanced between the buffalo sauce and plenty of cheese. If you want it more mild, add a cup of whole milk before baking and maybe back off on the buffalo sauce. For more heat, add a few dashes of frank’s hot sauce.
This casserole is PLENTY flavorful on it’s own, but feel free to add an extra drizzle of spicy buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, a little bit of fresh herbs like cilantro or green onion, or even sliced avocado.
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- knife & cutting board
- Sauce pot
- electric hand mixer
- Rubber Spatula
- Measuring Cups
- Casserole dish
Ingredients
- 14.5 oz Barilla Protein+ Rotini
- 1 block cream cheese, softened 16oz
- 1 cup whole milk plain greek yogurt
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 bag frozen riced cauliflower, 10 oz
- 16 oz shredded chicken
- 1 cup franks red hot buffalo sauce, plus more for topping
- ¼ cup green onion, diced
- 1 package ranch seasoning mix
- ½ cup shredded colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Start by cooking the noodles according to package instructions minus 1-2 minutes so they’re al dente. Drain, but do not rinse!
- While the pasta cooks a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until whipped. Mix in the cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, greek yogurt, ranch seasoning mix and buffalo sauce. Use the electric mixer or rubber spatula.
- Once mixed together, add the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, frozen cauliflower rice, ranch seasoning mix, and green onions to the bowl. Stir until combined.
- Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray and transfer the pasta mixture into it. Top with shredded Colby Jack, cover with tinfoil. Bake for 22-25 minutes until you have golden brown melted cheese on top.
- Serve hot, garnished with a drizzle of buffalo sauce! Enjoy!!
Nutrition
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you’re using MyFitnessPal, search ‘A Paige Of Positivity’ and find Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
such a good football sunday meal!