Description
Creamy, spicy buffalo chicken filling nestled inside tender pasta shells makes for pure comfort food bliss. This easy recipe is bold enough to impress your family or a crowd at your next gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- Jumbo pasta shells, cooked according to package directions
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Green onions, thinly sliced for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Blue cheese crumbles for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray or oil.
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of shredded chicken, 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup buffalo sauce, 1/4 cup ranch dressing, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until fully incorporated and creamy.
- Using a spoon (or your hands), stuff each cooked pasta shell with the buffalo chicken mixture. Place the stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish, open side up.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the shells.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and optional blue cheese crumbles over the top before serving.
- Serve warm with a side of garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
Notes
[‘Don’t overcook the pasta shells; al dente is key.’, ‘Use shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience and flavor.’, ‘Let the cream cheese soften for easier mixing.’, ‘Adjust the buffalo sauce to your preferred spice level.’, ‘Cover the dish with foil while baking to prevent over-browning.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed shell
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Protein: 25
Keywords: Buffalo Chicken, Stuffed Shells, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, Meal Prep, Spicy Recipe