Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 400 g dried pasta, such as elbow macaroni or penne

→ Chicken

02 - 400 g cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded

→ Cheese Mixture

03 - 225 g cream cheese, softened
04 - 120 ml ranch dressing
05 - 120 ml buffalo wing sauce
06 - 250 g cheddar cheese, shredded
07 - 1 teaspoon paprika, for topping

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 190°C. Boil salted water in a large pot and cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
02 - Place cubed, softened cream cheese in a large bowl. Add ranch dressing and buffalo wing sauce. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
03 - Incorporate shredded chicken, half the shredded cheddar cheese, and the cooked pasta into the cream cheese mixture. Fold gently with a spatula until evenly coated.
04 - Transfer the mixture into a lightly greased 23x33 cm casserole dish. Distribute the remaining cheddar cheese evenly on top and sprinkle with paprika.
05 - Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and top is golden. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Helpful Notes:

01 - Using freshly shredded cheese enhances melting and produces superior texture.
02 - Ensure cream cheese is fully softened for easiest blending and smoothest sauce.