Prep: 10 This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake recipe is perfect for an easy, comforting dinner! It’s creamy, savory, and has the right amount of kick. Made with wholesome pasta (chickpea or whole wheat), roasted vegetables, spinach, cheese, and the best buffalo chicken dip, you can’t go wrong with this delicious recipe!
Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Casserole
There’s nothing like this easy-to-make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Casserole. The flavors are next level, friends! I love making a big batch of this recipe for a delicious weeknight dinner, then saving leftovers for quick and easy meals throughout the week. It’s one of my favorites, and I know you’ll love it, too!
One of the best parts is that this recipe can really be adjusted to taste. Feel free to add more or less cheese, shredded chicken, and/or adjust the level of spicy to your own level. You can also choose between chickpea pasta, (opens in a new tab) whole wheat pasta, or really any type. This foolproof recipe is one that the entire family will love!
RELATED: 30+ Healthy Pasta Recipes (Easy & Comforting!)
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:
Leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip – This recipe uses leftover buffalo dip or buffalo chicken dip. You can also make your own with this recipe here (also listed below)!
Celery/Carrots/Tomatoes – The celery and carrots are chopped, then roasted along with sliced grape tomatoes for a wholesome dinner.
Spinach – This ingredient can be optional, but I love adding extra nutrition with spinach to this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Casserole!
Pasta Elbows – Chickpea, whole wheat, gluten-free, or any type you want. I recommend pasta elbows, but this recipe will really work with just about any type of pasta. Penne pasta (opens in a new tab) is another great option!
Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Adding extra cheddar cheese on top is optional, but I highly recommend it because it’s SO good. Mozzarella cheese works great, too, but I personaly love how cheddar tastes in this recipe!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
Before getting started, you’ll need to have your leftover buffalo chicken dip ready to go. This can be store-bought buffalo chicken dip, or make the easy recipe (listed below) while the veggies are roasting! Here’s how to make this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake recipe:
- Roast the chopped celery, carrots, and tomatoes with olive oil in a baking dish (opens in a new tab) or a deep, oven-safe skillet.
- Cook and drain the pasta elbows.
- Add the pasta, buffalo chicken dip, and spinach to the casserole dish and stir.
- Top with cheese.
- Bake!
You’ll Also Love: Creamy Brie Pasta Recipe
Tips for Buffalo Dip
If you have buffalo dip on hand instead of buffalo chicken dip, feel free to add 1/2 cup of shredded rotisserie or cooked chicken to it. Another option is to just make the quick and easy buffalo chicken dip recipe below!
Other Add-In Ideas
Make this recipe your own with these fun and delish add-in ideas!
- Extra Buffalo Sauce (opens in a new tab)
- Chopped Green Onions
- Ranch Dressing
- Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Bread Crumbs
Making Ahead/Storing Leftovers
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake recipe reheats well! Simply heat it up in the microwave, adjusting the time depending on if the recipe was refrigerated or frozen. Here’s how to make this recipe ahead of time and/or store leftovers:
Make Ahead Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
To make this recipe ahead of time:
- Roast the vegetables in the oil.
- Cook the pasta.
- Add the pasta, buffalo chicken dip, and spinach to the roasted vegetables in the baking dish.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator overnight.
- When ready, simply add the cheese topping and bake!
Storing in the Refrigerator
Place the cooled recipe in an airtight container (opens in a new tab) (or multiple containers) with a lid. Store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days!
Storing in the Freezer
To freeze this recipe, let it cool in an airtight container (with a lid) in the fridge for about 1 hour. Then move it to the freezer and store for up to 3 months!
More Healthy Recipes You’ll Love
- Chicken Fajita Casserole
- Baked Spinach Chicken Meatballs
- Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole
- Easy Vegetarian Baked Ziti Recipe
- Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons! (opens in a new tab)
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
- 2 cups leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip (opens in a new tab) (or recipe listed below, if needed)
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup grape tomatoes (halved)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil (opens in a new tab)
- 2 cups spinach
- 6 ounces pasta elbows (chickpea, whole wheat, or any type you want!)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Buffalo Chicken Dip (optional, if needed)
- 1/2 cup shredded cooked chicken
- 1 Tablespoon hot sauce (opens in a new tab)
- 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup light sour cream
- 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon chopped dried parsley
Instructions
Make the Buffalo Chicken Dip (or use Store-Bought Buffalo Dip)
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Mix all of the ingredients together (except for 1/2 of the cheese) in a large mixing bowl.
- Place the mixture in a baking dish or casserole dish (8×8 or 8×11) and top with the remaining cheese and extra parsley, if desired.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Set aside.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Place the celery, carrots, and tomatoes in a baking dish and drizzle with oil.
- Roast the vegetables for about 30 minutes, or until they soften.
- While the veggies are roasting, cook the pasta according to directions.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the baking dish.
- Mix in the buffalo chicken dip and spinach.
- Top with cheese (optional) and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Watch Me Make This
Notes
- Roast the vegetables in the oil.
- Cook the pasta.
- Add the pasta, buffalo chicken dip, and spinach to the roasted vegetables in the baking dish.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator overnight.
- When ready, simply add the cheese topping and bake!
Nutrition
Did you make this? I’d love to see!
Tag me on socials at @JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab) or #JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab)
This buffalo chicken pasta bake is delicious and filling, great meal idea thanks for sharing with me.
I made these with your dip recipe. All were great.
So glad to hear that, Jean. Thank you!
Just what I needed for the perfect comfort food dinner! I love that you used leftover chicken and the veggies had me feel good about all the cheesy topping. Super delicious!
The buffalo flavor with the roasted veggies made this pasta bake super satisfying, and it was even better the next day for an easy lunch after a busy morning.
This buffalo chicken pasta bake is pure comfort food magic! Creamy, spicy, and so satisfying—the crispy topping takes it over the top.