Description
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells combine tender jumbo pasta shells filled with a spicy and creamy buffalo chicken mixture, baked to perfection and topped with melted cheese and fresh green onions. This easy 30-minute recipe offers a delightful balance of heat and creaminess, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or game day treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
Buffalo Chicken Filling
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the stuffed shells.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Boil the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly so they are easy to handle.
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, combine shredded cooked chicken, buffalo sauce, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, softened cream cheese, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Ranch Dressing: Gently fold in the ranch dressing to the buffalo chicken mixture to mellow out the spice and add creaminess.
- Stuff Shells: Carefully fill each cooked jumbo shell with the creamy buffalo chicken mixture, ensuring each shell is generously stuffed.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish and place the stuffed shells inside, spacing them evenly without overcrowding to allow even baking.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the filling is heated through and the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with additional shredded cheese or chopped green onions for extra flavor and color. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken from rotisserie or leftovers for a quick prep.
- Adjust buffalo sauce quantity to control spiciness level.
- Ricotta cheese adds creaminess but can be substituted with cottage cheese if preferred.
- For a dairy-free option, use vegan cream cheese and cheese substitutes.
- Make ahead by assembling the shells and refrigerating before baking; add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking from cold.
- Serve with a side of celery sticks or a simple salad for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Buffalo chicken, stuffed shells, creamy pasta, easy dinner, baked pasta, spicy chicken, buffalo sauce
