Spice up dinnertime with this simple, scrumptious buffalo chicken mac ‘n cheese with veggies, whole grain pasta and a zesty kick!
Three days a week, I’ve been bounding out of bed and onto a treadmill, if for no other reason than because I love good food. And let’s be real… it’s about time to face the music and cut out some of my delicious vices. But! There’s no reason a good granola eating girl can’t indulge once in a while, and oh did I. With a few green things thrown in, of course.
With all these fabulous flavors in one dish, my inner fat girl rejoiced! Though my sensible skinny girl had a little self control and stopped at one serving.
A creamy mixture of blue cheese, buffalo sauce, garlic and cream cheese coated a bed of penne, vegetables, chicken and cheese, which was dusted with breadcrumbs and popped into the oven for just over half an hour. Hello, heaven? It’s Buffalo Chicken Mac ‘n Cheese calling.
Try this as a tasty weeknight meal that’s easy and fast, or as a delicious dish to devour with fellow football lovers! It may be a little sinful, but it’s totally heavenly for when you’re craving something bad that’s OH SO good!
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Buffalo Chicken Mac ‘n Cheese
Yield: Serves 8
Ingredients:
13 oz. box whole grain pasta (penne, shells or rotini)
1 lb. cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 small bell peppers, red and yellow, seeded and chopped
1 bunch chopped green onions, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup blue cheese dressing (recommended: Wishbone)
1/2 – 3/4 cup buffalo sauce (recommended: Frank’s Red Hot)
3 cups shredded cheese, divided (cheddar, mozzarella or a blend)
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and transfer to a 13 X 9 inch baking dish. Toss in cooked chicken, bell peppers, half of the green onions, and half of the shredded cheese. Mix well.
Place the garlic, cream cheese, blue cheese dressing and 1/2 cup buffalo sauce in a food processor. Puree until smooth, taste and add another 1/4 cup buffalo sauce if needed. Pour over the pasta and toss.
Mix the remaining 3/4 cup cheese and the panko together. Sprinkle over the top of the pasta.
Bake until golden, approximately 30-40 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining green onions.
Enjoy!
Adapted from A Spicy Perspective
Wow, this looks like pure comfort!
I’ve been indulging too much, but this still looks awesome!!
Oh la la! Looks terrific!
I’m def going to try this on the weekend. I am on my “practice for Christmas” mission. I have a feeling this will be on for Christmas as well:)
Oh my word, this looks amazing! I’ve been on a huge buffalo chicken kick…you’re not helping!
Oh yeah, this is DEFINITELY happening. Can this get any better?!
Your recipes are amazing! I strive to be like you some day!
Nicole
http://www.bsugarmama.com
That looks so awesome, I love anything with buffalo sauce :)
Love your twists on mac n cheese :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
This looks incredible! I make a buffalo mac and cheese, too, but mine is super labor intensive so I don’t do it often. Yours is SO pretty- I love the way the sauce looks :)
Sues
Holy WOW – that looks SO good!! I love twists on mac ‘n cheese. Can’t wait to make this!
Wow! This is some amazing comfort food!
OK I’ve bookmarked this and I’m making it tomorrow for my 14 year old – she will LOVE it! thanks for a super recipe :)
Mary x
My husband would especially love this!
This is so worth the time on the treadmill! It would be absolutely devoured…especially as a football watching food at my house :)
Ooooh, my Hubs loves buffalo chicken anything so this is perfect! Can’t wait to make this!
You and me both, girl. I feel like no matter how much I exercise it doesn’t quite get the job done. I love good food too much! And I love this mac and cheese!
Ooh that big old pile of chicken and veggies is just calling my name!
My kids would seriously go crazy for this! All the beat flavors…great recipe and idea :)
Yummy! I make a similar version, but I like the idea of adding cream cheese though. I’m going to give that a try next time!
Haha you are so cute – this recipe sounds like it matches with your blog name! I love that you always come up with such delicious and comforting recipes to everyone. Hope all is well with you and it cools down a bit in Texas. :)
This is comfort food at its best, G! It looks amazing. Love the idea of cream cheese being added :)
That looks so wonderful! And good on you for doing exercise. I really should get into that routine one day! :D
Love it! We make a buffalo mac that is on Hubs favorite dishes. Your’s looks amazing.
What a great looking mac. I love how this has blue cheese in it. Love the recipe xx
What a great reason to exercise! :)
Wow my husband will LOOOOVVVEEE this. Can’t wait to try!
Oh Georgia – this would be so loved in my house full of men. Perfect football food!
I’m totally in!! Delicious!!!
Food is the main reason I exercise. Okay, it’s the only reason, but it’s a good reason.
This dish looks amazing, and sounds absolutely delicious. And, yes, a girl must indulge every once in awhile.
Being from Buffalo and a big macaroni and cheese lover, I can say that I would love this dish! Looks great!
I made this today and I have to say it was the easiest Mac n Cheese I have ever made…we didn’t add the chicken. It was very tasty. Will be doing it more often
this was really yummy!
Cooked this tonight with a few mods. Less bell pepper, add a jalapeno. Blue cheese crumbles on top when served. Excellent recipe. 4.5 out of 5. Girlfriend concurs. I will make this again. Often.
I am trying this recipe out tonight!! Can’t wait! It looks YUM!
Phenomenal recipe! It’s so good and one of my favorite dishes to make, although it takes a while to prep and make. I reduced the cheese a lot since the flavor really comes from the buffalo sauce and also added onion since I love onions. Oh and I subbed in plain Greek yogurt for the cream cheese. I’ve made it a few times for my fiancé and have made it for a Super Bowl get-together I had. I also wrote about it on my website: http://www.pinkskyline.com/2013/04/buffalo-chicken-mac-n-cheese.html
Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
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