Creamy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Spicy creamy pasta with tender chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, and melted cheese for bold comfort food.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or rotini pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Sauces & Seasoning

03 - 1 oz ranch seasoning packet
04 - 1 cup buffalo wing sauce, mild or hot
05 - 1/2 cup sour cream
06 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
07 - 1/4 cup milk

→ Cheese

08 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Garnish

10 - 2 green onions, sliced
11 - 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ranch seasoning, buffalo sauce, sour cream, cream cheese, and milk. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
04 - Stir cooked pasta and chicken into the sauce mixture until evenly coated.
05 - Fold in 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 3/4 cup cheddar cheese until distributed throughout.
06 - Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top.
07 - Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Top with sliced green onions and crumbled blue cheese. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen when really you're done in under an hour.
  • The spicy-creamy-cheesy combination hits every comfort food craving at once.
  • You can make it ahead, throw it in the oven, and have dinner sorted while you handle everything else.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time—those 5 minutes make the difference between a saucy mess and something you can actually plate.
  • If your sauce looks too thick before baking, add a splash more milk; it'll firm up as it cooks.
  • Taste the sauce before mixing everything together so you know if you want it spicier or milder.
03 -
  • Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded—it melts smoother and creates a creamier texture.
  • Don't drain your pasta completely; a tiny bit of starch left on it helps the sauce cling and creates a silkier final dish.
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