🎉 Introduction
If you’re craving the perfect combination of creamy, cheesy, spicy, and comforting, this Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is about to become your new favorite dinner. It brings together everything people love about buffalo chicken — zesty heat, tangy richness, bold flavor — and transforms it into a warm, bubbly, ultra-cheesy pasta bake that’s perfect for busy nights, game-day gatherings, or cozy weekend dinners.
Juicy cooked chicken mixes beautifully with tender rotini pasta, allowing every curve of pasta to hold onto the creamy buffalo sauce. The sauce itself is a dreamy blend of butter, milk, cream cheese, flour, and sharp cheddar — silky, smooth, and perfectly balanced. The buffalo sauce adds heat and tang, but the creaminess keeps the dish comforting and not overwhelming. Topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs and baked until golden and bubbly, every bite delivers a satisfying mix of crunch, spice, creaminess, and cheesy goodness.
This pasta bake is the perfect easy dinner because it uses simple kitchen staples, comes together quickly, and tastes like something straight from a restaurant. It’s warm, bold, saucy, layered, and impossible to resist. Whether you’re feeding the family or want a comforting meal prep recipe, this dish is an absolute winner.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large pot
- Large skillet or saucepan
- 9×13 baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Knife & cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Oven
🛒 Ingredients
Protein
- 2 cups cooked boneless skinless chicken breast, shredded or cubed
Buffalo Flavor
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
Fresh Produce
- 2 green onions, sliced (for topping)
Pasta
- 12 oz rotini pasta
Creamy Sauce Base
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp melted butter (optional for topping)
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Buffalo Cheese Sauce
In a skillet or saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.
Whisk in the flour until it forms a smooth paste (roux).
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously.
Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
Add cream cheese and whisk until melted and smooth.
Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted.
Pour in the buffalo sauce and mix until the sauce becomes a creamy, spicy, orange-colored Buffalo cheese sauce.
Taste and adjust heat level by adding more buffalo sauce if desired.
Step 3: Assemble the Pasta Bake
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Cooked pasta
- Cooked chicken
- Creamy buffalo cheese sauce
Stir until everything is well coated.
Pour mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
Step 4: Add the Crunchy Topping
Mix panko breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp melted butter (optional).
Sprinkle evenly over the top of the pasta.
This gives a golden, crispy finish to the casserole.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until:
- Top is golden
- Edges are bubbling
- Inside is hot and creamy
Broil for the final 1–2 minutes for an extra crispy topping.
Step 6: Serve
Top with sliced green onions and an extra drizzle of buffalo sauce if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy!
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6–8
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
A fast, comforting, and crowd-pleasing dish.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store leftovers for 3–4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer
Freeze up to 2 months.
Reheating
- Oven: 350°F for 10–12 minutes
- Microwave: 1–2 minutes
- Air fryer: 350°F for 5 minutes (crispy again!)
If sauce thickens, add a splash of milk when reheating.
🥄 Variations
1. Extra Spicy Buffalo Bake
Add jalapeños or extra buffalo sauce.
2. Cheesy Loaded Version
Top with mozzarella or pepper jack cheese.
3. Veggie Version
Add:
- Broccoli
- Bell peppers
- Spinach
- Corn
4. Ranch Lover’s Twist
Mix in 1 tbsp ranch seasoning (amazing flavor!).
5. Crispy Chicken Version
Use chopped breaded chicken instead of shredded.
6. Low-Carb Option
Use cooked cauliflower instead of pasta.
7. Gluten-Free
Use gluten-free pasta + gluten-free breadcrumbs.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. How spicy is this recipe?
Medium heat — creamy sauce balances the spice.
2. Can I use canned chicken?
Yes — drain well before adding.
3. What’s the best pasta shape?
Rotini, penne, rigatoni, or cavatappi.
4. Can I use ranch instead of buffalo?
You can add ranch to balance heat, not replace it.
5. Does it freeze well?
Yes — one of the best pasta bakes for freezing.
6. Can I use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely — perfect for saving time.
7. Can I make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free cheese + almond milk + vegan butter.
8. Why is the sauce too thick?
Add more milk or pasta water to loosen.
9. Can I meal prep this?
Yes — reheats beautifully.
10. Can kids eat this?
Reduce buffalo sauce if serving to children.
🏁 Conclusion
This Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is the perfect comfort food: creamy, spicy, cheesy, crunchy, and incredibly satisfying. It combines buffalo chicken flavor with warm, melty pasta and a buttery panko topping, giving you the perfect balance of heat and comfort in every bite.
Whether you’re preparing dinner for the family, craving a cozy comfort dish, or planning something amazing for game day, this pasta bake delivers big flavor with simple ingredients and minimal effort.
It’s bold. It’s creamy. It’s cheesy.
The ultimate buffalo pasta casserole for every occasion.
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake – A Creamy, Spicy, Irresistible Comfort Meal the Whole Family Will Love
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Ingredients
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Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
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Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
- Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet or saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour until it forms a smooth paste (roux).
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously.
- Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add cream cheese and whisk until melted and smooth.
- Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted.
- Pour in the buffalo sauce and mix until the sauce becomes a creamy, spicy, orange-colored Buffalo cheese sauce.
- Taste and adjust heat level by adding more buffalo sauce if desired.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Cooked pasta
- Cooked chicken
- Creamy buffalo cheese sauce
- Stir until everything is well coated.
- Pour mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Mix panko breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp melted butter (optional).
- Sprinkle evenly over the top of the pasta.
- This gives a golden, crispy finish to the casserole.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until:
- Top is golden
- Edges are bubbling
- Inside is hot and creamy
- Broil for the final 1–2 minutes for an extra crispy topping.
- Top with sliced green onions and an extra drizzle of buffalo sauce if desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Refrigerator Store leftovers for 3–4 days in an airtight container. Freezer Freeze up to 2 months. Reheating Oven: 350°F for 10–12 minutes Microwave: 1–2 minutes Air fryer: 350°F for 5 minutes (crispy again!) If sauce thickens, add a splash of milk when reheating. 🥄 Variations
1. Extra Spicy Buffalo Bake Add jalapeños or extra buffalo sauce. 2. Cheesy Loaded Version Top with mozzarella or pepper jack cheese. 3. Veggie Version Add: Broccoli Bell peppers Spinach Corn 4. Ranch Lover’s Twist Mix in 1 tbsp ranch seasoning (amazing flavor!). 5. Crispy Chicken Version Use chopped breaded chicken instead of shredded. 6. Low-Carb Option Use cooked cauliflower instead of pasta. 7. Gluten-Free Use gluten-free pasta + gluten-free breadcrumbs. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. How spicy is this recipe? Medium heat — creamy sauce balances the spice. 2. Can I use canned chicken? Yes — drain well before adding. 3. What’s the best pasta shape? Rotini, penne, rigatoni, or cavatappi. 4. Can I use ranch instead of buffalo? You can add ranch to balance heat, not replace it. 5. Does it freeze well? Yes — one of the best pasta bakes for freezing. 6. Can I use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken? Absolutely — perfect for saving time. 7. Can I make it dairy-free? Use dairy-free cheese + almond milk + vegan butter. 8. Why is the sauce too thick? Add more milk or pasta water to loosen. 9. Can I meal prep this? Yes — reheats beautifully. 10. Can kids eat this? Reduce buffalo sauce if serving to children. 🏁 Conclusion This Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is the perfect comfort food: creamy, spicy, cheesy, crunchy, and incredibly satisfying. It combines buffalo chicken flavor with warm, melty pasta and a buttery panko topping, giving you the perfect balance of heat and comfort in every bite. Whether you’re preparing dinner for the family, craving a cozy comfort dish, or planning something amazing for game day, this pasta bake delivers big flavor with simple ingredients and minimal effort. It’s bold. It’s creamy. It’s cheesy.
The ultimate buffalo pasta casserole for every occasion.
