Creamy Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells Recipe
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells combine tender jumbo pasta shells filled with a spicy and creamy buffalo chicken mixture, baked to perfection with melted cheese for a flavorful and comforting meal ready in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 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 (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed shells later.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Boil the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly so they can be handled without breaking.
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, buffalo sauce, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, softened cream cheese, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well incorporated.
- Add Ranch Dressing: Fold in the ranch dressing carefully to balance the spiciness of the buffalo sauce, adding a creamy tang to the filling.
- Stuff Shells: Gently fill each cooked jumbo pasta shell with the buffalo chicken mixture, ensuring each shell is generously stuffed but not overfilled to prevent bursting.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish and arrange the stuffed shells evenly without overcrowding to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the filling is heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the foil, optionally sprinkle extra shredded cheese or chopped green onions on top for garnish, and serve hot.
Notes
- Using cooked shredded chicken speeds up the preparation time.
- For milder heat, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or use a mild version.
- Can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to bake time if baking from cold.
- Use gluten-free pasta shells to make it gluten-free if needed.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Keywords: buffalo chicken stuffed shells, creamy buffalo chicken pasta, baked stuffed shells, easy buffalo chicken recipe, 30 minute dinner
