Buffalo Mac & Cheese
Buffalo Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
For the Mac & Cheese
- 1/2 pound pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 dash olive oil
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups chicken, bite-sized, grilled or fried
For Topping
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese, your preferred blend
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta in a large pot of generously salted water according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add a dash of olive oil.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Pour in the heavy cream and mix well. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Stir in the buffalo sauce, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley. Whisk everything together and bring the sauce back to a simmer.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded mozzarella, shredded cheddar, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until all the cheese has melted and a silky, smooth sauce forms.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
In a separate bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken with a small amount of buffalo sauce to coat.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Add the buffalo chicken, cooked pasta, and the reserved 1 cup of pasta water to the cheese sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Transfer the mac and cheese to an oven-safe dish. Top with additional shredded cheese.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 11
Remove from the oven, sprinkle with more grated Parmesan cheese, and serve immediately.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Buffalo Mac & Cheese
For the Mac & Cheese
- 1/2 pound pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 dash olive oil
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups chicken, bite-sized, grilled or fried
For Topping
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese, your preferred blend
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta in a large pot of generously salted water according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add a dash of olive oil.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Pour in the heavy cream and mix well. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Stir in the buffalo sauce, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley. Whisk everything together and bring the sauce back to a simmer.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded mozzarella, shredded cheddar, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until all the cheese has melted and a silky, smooth sauce forms.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
In a separate bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken with a small amount of buffalo sauce to coat.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Add the buffalo chicken, cooked pasta, and the reserved 1 cup of pasta water to the cheese sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Transfer the mac and cheese to an oven-safe dish. Top with additional shredded cheese.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 11
Remove from the oven, sprinkle with more grated Parmesan cheese, and serve immediately.