Get ready to blow your taste buds into the stratosphere with this Fiery Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Casserole! This epic dish is the ultimate fusion of spicy, creamy, and cheesy goodness that will have your friends and family fighting for seconds. Buckle up, because this recipe is about to take your Game Day celebrations to the next level of flavor insanity.
Why You’ll Love This Fiery Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Casserole for Game Day
This over-the-top casserole is the perfect game-changing addition to your Game Day spread. The combination of tender chicken in a fiery buffalo sauce, melted cheese, and creamy mac & cheese is simply out of this world. It’s the ultimate comfort food mashup that will have your taste buds doing the touchdown dance. Plus, it’s easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd, so you can spend more time cheering on your team and less time in the kitchen.
Ingredients
To make this Fiery Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Casserole, you’ll need a few key ingredients: elbow macaroni, cooked and shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, milk, eggs, and a few seasonings to bring the heat.
- 8 oz (2 cups) – Elbow macaroni
- 2 cups – Cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 cup – Buffalo sauce (plus more for drizzling)
- 8 oz – Cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups – Shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 cup – Shredded mozzarella cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 cup – Milk
- 2 – Eggs
- 1 tsp – Garlic powder
- 1 tsp – Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp – Cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Pasta: You can use any short pasta shape, like penne, fusilli, or cavatappi, instead of elbow macaroni.
- Protein: Ground turkey or beef would also work great in place of the chicken.
How to Make Fiery Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Casserole for Game Day
This Fiery Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Casserole comes together in just a few simple steps. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. In a separate bowl, mix together the cooked chicken and buffalo sauce until the chicken is fully coated.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, milk, and eggs. Stir until everything is well incorporated. Then, fold in the buffalo chicken mixture.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Transfer the cheesy, spicy mac & cheese mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top it off with a generous sprinkle of extra cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Bake the casserole for 30-35 minutes, or until it’s hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and golden brown on top.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Crispy Topping: For an extra crispy topping, add some crushed tortilla chips or panko breadcrumbs before baking.
- Cheese Blend: Feel free to switch up the cheese blend, try adding some blue cheese crumbles, or even mix in some diced celery or carrots for a little extra crunch.
- Spice It Up: Top it off with some sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of ranch dressing for an extra kick of flavor.
- Veggie Swap: You can also try using ground turkey or beef instead of chicken for a different take on this dish.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Celery sticks, carrot sticks, and extra buffalo sauce for dipping.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Just let it thaw in the fridge before reheating in the oven or microwave.
Reheat: To reheat, simply pop it back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to 2 days in advance, cover it with foil, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it.
Nutrition Information
This indulgent casserole packs a protein-packed punch with the chicken and cheesy goodness. Each serving contains approximately 550 calories, 30g of fat, 40g of carbs, and 35g of protein. It’s the ultimate game-day fuel to power you through all the exciting plays and touchdowns.
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the casserole
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 40 g
- Fat: 30 g
- Sodium: 1,200 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole up to 2 days in advance, cover it with foil, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it.
How can I make this dish less spicy?
If you’re not a fan of intense heat, you can reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or use a milder hot sauce instead.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can swap out the elbow macaroni for any short pasta shape you prefer, such as penne, fusilli, or cavatappi.
Can I add any extra toppings?
Go for it! This casserole is a blank canvas for all sorts of delicious additions, like crumbled bacon, diced scallions, or crushed tortilla chips.
How spicy is this dish?
The level of spice can vary depending on the type of buffalo sauce you use and your personal tolerance for heat. Start with a smaller amount of sauce and add more to reach your desired level of fiery goodness.
Try These Next
- Loaded Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Skins For Game Day
- Creamy Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese Bake
- Crispy Buffalo Chicken Mac N Cheese Bombs
Fiery Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Casserole for Game Day
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: 🔥 FIRE ZONE
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Fiery Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Casserole is a spicy twist on a classic comfort food, perfect for game day!
Ingredients
– 8 oz elbow macaroni
– 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
– 1 cup buffalo sauce
– 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup cream cheese, softened
– 1/2 cup sour cream
– 1/2 cup milk
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp onion powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
– Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
1.
2. – Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. – Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
4. – In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until smooth.
5. – Fold in the cooked macaroni until evenly coated with the sauce.
6. – Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
7. – Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles on top if using.
8. – Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
9. – Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
10.
Notes
– For extra heat, add more buffalo sauce to taste.
– This casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Buffalo Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Casserole, Game Day