Buffalo Chicken Baked Ziti

In a nice departure from traditional Italian baked ziti dishes, this version replaces the beef and tomato sauce with Buffalo chicken and a creamy, ranch-flavored sauce.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 632 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 12 ounces ziti pasta
• 3 stalks green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• ¼ cup Buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank's® Red Hot)
• ¾ pound cooked, shredded chicken breast meat

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

While the ziti is cooking, melt butter in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until golden, about 2 minutes. Add flour and whisk to combine; cook for 1 minute. Add heavy cream and whisk until no clumps remain; bring to a simmer. Be careful not to curdle the cream--adjust temperature if necessary; simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.

Step 4

Add cream cheese; break up with a wooden spoon until combined and melted. Stir in Buffalo sauce and ranch seasoning until combined.

Step 5

Drain ziti and add to the skillet with shredded chicken; stir until coated. Top with Cheddar cheese.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until Cheddar is melted and golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Garnish with green onions and serve.