5.0 from 171 votes
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Cheesy, creamy, and a little bit spicy, this Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese is the ultimate pasta dish!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 802 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- ⅓ cup butter
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup half and half or light cream
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 3 cups shredded Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar
- 1 cup shredded Cabot Pepper Jack Cheese
- ⅔ cup buffalo sauce
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
Topping
- ⅔ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cook macaroni al dente in salted water according to package directions. Drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking.
- While the macaroni is cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour, mustard powder and, onion powder and cook 1 minute.
- Add milk and cream a little bit at a time whisking after each addition. The mixture will be very thick at first but will smooth out. Once combined bring to a boil while stirring and let boil 1 minute.
- Remove from the heat and add Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar and Cabot pepper jack. Whisk until melted and smooth. Once melted, stir in the buffalo sauce.
- Combine the cooked macaroni, chicken, and cheese mixture, mix well. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan.
- Combine topping and sprinkle over the macaroni.
- Bake 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and the topping is browned
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Remember that the pasta will cook more as it bakes so ensure it's boiled to al dente (firm).
- The sauce is a bit undersalted as the buffalo sauce adds salt. Taste and season once the sauce is mixed.
- This recipe uses buffalo sauce (not just a straight up hot sauce) for the best flavor.
- To kick up the spice, toss in some diced jalapenos or red pepper flakes!
- To tame the spice a little look for a MILD buffalo sauce.
Nutrition Information
Calories
802
(40%)
Carbohydrates
58g
(19%)
Protein
51g
(102%)
Fat
41g
(63%)
Saturated Fat
22g
(110%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
182mg
(61%)
Sodium
1670mg
(70%)
Potassium
333mg
(10%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
1097IU
(22%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
544mg
(54%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 802
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 802 | 40% |
| Carbohydrates | 58g | 19% |
| Protein | 51g | 102% |
| Fat | 41g | 63% |
| Saturated Fat | 22g | 110% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 182mg | 61% |
| Sodium | 1670mg | 70% |
| Potassium | 333mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1097IU | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 544mg | 54% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.