There’s just something about cheesy buffalo chicken pasta that screams Superbowl Sunday! With that being said, this chicken baked ziti recipe has become a weeknight staple in my house. My kids are obsessed with mac and cheese, so making this is like serving them the ultimate elevated chicken mac and cheese. To say they’re obsessed would be an understatement!
What’s in buffalo chicken baked ziti?
This buffalo chicken pasta bake is so easy to make with a handful of budget friendly ingredients! I can usually toss it together with ingredients that I already have on hand.
Ziti Pasta: Penne or bow tie pasta would also work well. Make sure to cook and drain the noodles before stirring them into the buffalo chicken dip mixture. Shredded Chicken: I always keep some shredded chicken in the fridge for recipes like this. A rotisserie chicken also works great. Ranch Seasoning: If you’re anything like me, you always have some ranch seasoning on hand. This is one of those seasoning blends that just adds magic to everything it touches!
What’s the best cheese for this pasta bake?
For this buffalo chicken baked ziti recipe, I like to use mozzarella. Another classic cheese that goes well with buffalo flavor is blue cheese, but not everyone is a fan. I’ve also used plain cheddar cheese in this recipe before when I was out of mozzarella and it worked perfectly.
How to Store and Reheat
Leftovers will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the fridge for 30 seconds at a time until warmed all the way through.
How to Freeze
Let the chicken baked ziti fully cool to room temperature prior to freezing in an airtight container for up to 3 months. It’ll need to defrost in the fridge for a few hours prior to reheating.
Notes and Tips
Cook the pasta just to al dente, as it will continue to cook in the bake. This will prevent your pasta being too soft! If you’re cooking a bigger batch, use your mixer to shred the chicken! It’s so easy and takes only 30 seconds. It’s the only way I shred chicken anymore. Top with green onions or chives and crumbled blue cheese. You can add a little more or less hot sauce to adjust it to your own preference. When I’m making this for my kids, I usually half the amount of hot sauce. When I’m making it for friends on game day, I double the amount!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Baked Ziti Step by Step
Make the sauce: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tbsp flour. Then, whisk in 2 cups milk until no clumps remain. Simmer until thickened. Make it creamy: Stir in 6 oz cream cheese. Add 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix and 1/4 cup buffalo sauce. Add pasta and chicken: Mix in 2 cups shredded cooked chicken and 10 oz cooked ziti. Stir until fully coated. Add cheese and bake: Pour the mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese across the top. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
More Buffalo Chicken Recipes
Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats Buffalo Chicken Pizza Best Buffalo Wings Buffalo Chicken Casserole