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  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Buffalo Mac and Cheese

Buffalo Mac and Cheese

Rotisserie chicken makes it a hearty meal.

By Ree DrummondPublished: Nov 5, 2024
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the pioneer woman's buffalo mac and cheese recipe
C.W. Newell
Yields:
6 - 8 serving(s)
Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
30 mins

If you've ever been tempted to skip the chips and just eat Buffalo chicken dip by the spoonful (I can't be the only one), then you will instantly fall in love with this Buffalo mac and cheese. It's just like your good old-fashioned classic mac and cheese, but with tangy Buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and shredded rotisserie chicken. Mmm, talk about comfort food.

I like to add some blue cheese, celery leaves, and extra sauce before serving to really drive home that Buffalo chicken flavor, but do what makes you happy!

How do you make perfect mac and cheese sauce?

The key is to make sure the sauce isn't boiling when you add the cheese. In step four, lower the heat and let it calm down for a second before slowly adding the cheese. Stir in a handful at a time until it's melted and incorporated, then add another handful and repeat. You'll be left with a smooth, velvety cheese sauce.

Do you have to grate your own cheese for Buffalo mac and cheese?

Yes, you absolutely must. Listen, I love a convenience item as much as the next person, but when your goal is to make a creamy cheese sauce, bagged cheese just doesn't cut it. It doesn't melt as smoothly as the freshly grated stuff. If you want to work ahead, shred the cheese a few days in advance!

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Ingredients

  • Kosher salt, for the pot and seasoning

  • 12 oz.

    elbow macaroni

  • 2 Tbsp.

    salted butter

  • 1

    small yellow onion, diced

  • 3

    garlic cloves, minced

  • 1/2 tsp.

    black pepper

  • 1

    mounded Tbsp. all-purpose flour

  • 2 1/2 cups

    whole milk

  • 1/2 cup

    heavy cream

  • 1 1/2 cups

    grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 6 oz.)

  • 1 1/2 cups

    grated pepper jack cheese (about 6 oz.)

  • 1

    generous c. shredded rotisserie chicken

  • 1/4 cup

    Buffalo-style hot sauce, such as Frank's Red Hot, plus more for serving

  • 2 Tbsp.

    buttermilk ranch dressing

  • 1/2 cup

    crumbled blue cheese (about 2 oz.), for serving (optional)

  • Celery leaves, for serving (optional)

Directions

    1. Step 1Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside. 
    2. Step 2Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Season with the pepper and a good pinch of salt and cook until the onion and garlic are softened, 3 to 4 minutes. 
    3. Step 3Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic and stir to make a roux. Let cook 2 to 3 minutes before slowly stirring in the milk and then the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle boil, allowing the mixture to thicken slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. 
    4. Step 4Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar and pepper jack a handful at a time, allowing each addition to melt before adding the next. Stir in the chicken, hot sauce, and ranch dressing and cook until the chicken is heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to combine. 
    5. Step 5Serve topped with the blue cheese, celery leaves, and a drizzle of hot sauce, if you like.
Love this recipe? Try one of these next!
  • Buffalo Chicken Pasta
  • Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
  • Buffalo Chicken Dip
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