Baked Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese (Uses Frank's Red Hot) - Butter & Baggage (2024)

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Published: Apr 24, 2024 by Barbara Curry · This post may contain affiliate links.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

This recipe for baked buffalo chicken mac and cheese has all the elements of a classic baked macaroni and cheese, only it’s elevated with a spicy homemade buffalo cheese sauce! Made from a blend of Frank’s Red Hot, brown sugar, and melted butter, the buffalo sauce is mixed with a homemade cheese sauce to infuse every bite with a sweet, subtle kick of heat.

Deliciously Creamy Buffalo Chicken Mac

Spicy and tangy, this buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese is the ultimate creamy comfort food. The distinct flavors of ranch dressing and buffalo wing sauce combine with the cheesy sauce for a decadent take on a classic dish. You can use store bought or homemadebuffalo sauceandranch dressingfor this recipe. Either will work beautifully!

This family favorite dish is buffalo chicken dip in pasta form—and who wouldn’t love that? It’s game day served up at dinner! I love that this recipe has added protein from the chicken. You could also sneak in some veggies like broccoli or kale if you wanted!

This is the perfect dish if you’re looking for a spicy mac, but if you’re looking for mellow cheesy goodness try myricotta and broccoli macorSouthern style baked mac.

Why This Is The Best Buffalo Mac and Cheese Recipe

• Cheesy Buffalo Sauce –How many of us add extra hot sauce to our mac and cheese? With this recipe you don’t have to. (But I won’t stop you!)
• Ultimate Comfort Food –Hearty, cheesy, and full of carbs. This recipe is like a hug in a bowl.
• Pantry Staples –Made with basic seasonings, noodles, and cheese, this recipe is perfect for busy nights when you don’t have time to run to the grocery store.

Ingredients For Baked Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Pasta –One pound of elbow or any shape of small noodles to hold the sauce, the kid in me loves the fun shapes.

Dry Ingredients –Flour, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper.

Ranch –You can use your favorite bottled or homemade ranch, it only takes 10 minutes!

Hot Sauce –Homemade Buffalo Sauce, Frank’s Red Hot, or a different brand of hot wings sauce.

Dairy –Butter, whole milk, heavy cream, and two cups of sharp cheddar cheese.

Chicken–You’ll need two cups worth of shredded chicken breasts. You can use fresh or leftover rotisserie chicken for this.

How To Make Cheesy Baked Buffalo Mac

Step One: Preheat & Boil

Preheat oven to 375º. Cook pasta in salted water per package directions, remove when al dente, drain and return to the pot.

Step Two: Make Roux

Melt butter over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour, dry mustard, salt and pepper and cook for a minute. Warm the milk and cream in the microwave. Slowly add it to the butter and flour mixture, whisking constantly until fully incorporated and starts to thicken.

Step Three: Make Cheese Sauce

Add the ranch dressing and Frank’s Hot Sauce and whisk until combined. Add all but 1 cup of the cheese and whisk until melted. Add cooked shredded chicken and stir to combine.

Step Four: Mix

Pour the sauce over the cooked macaroni and stir until coated. Place in a baking pan or dutch oven and sprinkle reserved cheese on top.

Step Five: Bake

Bake for 18-20 minutes until the cheese is melted on top and bubbly around the edges. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. It will thicken as it cools.

Make This Buffalo Mac and Cheese Your Own

• Add panko bread crumbs mixed with a little extra garlic powder and ranch seasoning for a golden brown crunch.
• Try a blend of sharp cheddar, white cheddar, and any of your other favorite cheeses.
• ​Use a blend of ranch and blue cheese dressing for extra tang. It’ll taste even more like buffalo chicken wings!

How to Store Mac and Cheese

In The Fridge: Once cooled completely, store in an airtight container for up to three days.
In The Freezer: Once cooled, you can store in individual containers or in one large container in the freezer for several weeks.

To reheat, bake in the oven or cook in small bursts in the microwave until warmed through.

More Mac & Cheese Recipes To Try

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.