Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

A baked rigatoni casserole with buffalo cream sauce, chicken, and a blend of Colby Jack and Monterey Jack cheeses.

By @badbatchbaking

Original recipe source

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Cook time: 25 minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta uncooked
  • 10 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 0.6666666667 cup buffalo hot sauce
  • 0.75 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 2.6666666667 oz Colby Jack cheese freshly shredded
  • 2.6666666667 oz Monterey Jack cheese freshly shredded
  • 3 cups cooked rotisserie chicken or diced cooked chicken cooked
  • 0 butter (amount not specified) Creator did not specify an amount
  • 13.3333333333 oz Colby Jack cheese freshly shredded
  • 13.3333333333 oz Monterey Jack cheese freshly shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook the rigatoni according to the package directions until al dente, then drain. Pasta is al dente and drained.
  2. In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, whisk the softened cream cheese until smooth. Whisk in the half-and-half, heavy cream, buffalo hot sauce, ranch seasoning mix, and black pepper. If needed, microwave in 20-second intervals, whisking between each, until smooth. Sauce is creamy and combined.
  3. Fold the drained rigatoni into the buffalo sauce. Add 2/3 cup of the Colby Jack and 2/3 cup of the Monterey Jack, then fold until evenly coated. Pasta is coated with sauce and mixed with some cheese.
  4. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter. Spread half of the sauced pasta in the dish, sprinkle on half of the remaining shredded cheese, then layer on all of the cooked chicken. Casserole is layered in the baking dish.
  5. Add the remaining sauced pasta in an even layer. Top with the rest of the shredded cheese. Top layer is assembled.
  6. Bake uncovered at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling and lightly browned. If you want a more golden top, broil briefly while watching closely. Casserole is hot and bubbly.
  7. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Rested before serving.
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